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- What: 2024 Western Conference Final Game 1
- Who: Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars
- Date: Thursday, May 23, 2024
- Location: American Airlines Center
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: CBC, TVAS, SN, TNT, truTV, MAX
The 2024 NHL Western Conference Final was set on Monday night when the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 in Game 7 of their second round series. With the win, the Oilers booked their tickets to face the Dallas Stars on Thursday night. Dallas secured their spot in the Western Conference Final with a 4-2 series win over the Colorado Avalanche. The Oilers defeated the Los Angeles Kings in five games in the first round of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs, while the Stars dispatched the Vegas Golden Knights in seven games.
The Stars had the best regular season record in the Western Conference in 2024 at 52-21-9. Meanwhile, the Oilers were the No. 2 team in the Pacific Division with a mark of 49-27-6.
Edmonton and Dallas have met in eight NHL playoff series. Dallas has won six of those series. The last time the two teams faced off in the postseason was in 2003 when the Stars defeated the Oilers in six games. The Stars have won the past five playoff series between the teams: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for Game 1 of the Western Conference NHL playoff series between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars, check out our guide to betting on the 2024 NHL Playoffs and our tips for betting on the NHL.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars betting picks – Western Conference Final Game 1
 | Puck Line | Money Line | Total |
| Edmonton Oilers | +1.5 (-240) | +112 | Ov 6 (-111) |
| Dallas Stars | -1.5 (+200) | -126 | Un 6 (-105) |
Edmonton Oilers betting breakdown
The Edmonton Oilers have had a reasonably easy path to the 2024 NHL Western Conference Final. The Kings were not a formidable club, and the Canucks had their third-string goaltender in net for their series against the Oilers. The Stars are a deeper and better prepared team than either of those clubs. This series will be the biggest test of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers have been one of the best teams on offense for a few seasons, and while a lot of the production is thanks to the duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the team is more balanced when it comes to scoring in 2024. Yes, McDavid and Draisaitl are leading the team in playoff scoring in 2024, with Draisaitl at 24 points (8 goals, 16 assists) and McDavid contributing 21 points (2 G, 19 A). The Oilers also have Evan Bouchard, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and the league leader in playoff goals, Zach Hyman (11), adding to the offense. Draisaitl, McDavid, Bouchard, and Nugent-Hopkins are the top four point scorers in the 2024 NHL playoffs.
Goaltending is a concern for the Oilers. Starting goalie Stuart Skinner lost his job for two games of the Vancouver series to Calvin Pickard. He could be on a short leash in the Stars’ series. Skinner has a 2.87 goals against average and a .881 save percentage for the 2024 postseason.
The Oilers average 3.83 goals per game, while giving up 2.75 goals. The team has the top power play in the 2024 playoffs at 37.5 percent, and their penalty kill is also No. 1 at 91.4 percent. The Oilers average 29.8 shots per game and surrender an average of 24.5.
Dallas Stars betting breakdown
The Dallas Stars were one of the deeper teams when it came to producing offense during the 2024 NHL regular season. The team’s highest scorer was Jason Robertson with 80 points (29 G, 51 A). Robertson’s point total put him tied for 27th in the league at the end of the season. Dallas’ top goal scorer was Wyatt Johnston with 32. He ranked 34th in the league. While the club did not have a go-to scorer in the regular season, the Stars had eight players with at least 20 goals and 10 players who put up 45 points or more. That balanced scoring will help them against a team like the Oilers, who have a solid top pairing on defense, but not so much depth behind those two.
The Stars have zero issues in goal. Jake Oettinger has been very good this postseason. He has a goals against average of 2.09 and a save percentage of .918. The Stars also have a balanced defense to help Oettinger. The team is very good at five-on-five on defense, and they have been decent on the penalty kill.
The Stars average 2.92 goals per game, while giving up an average of 2.38. The team’s power play is clicking at 29 percent, and their penalty kill is at 69.2 percent. Dallas takes an average of 28.8 shots per game, while surrendering 27.5.
Best bets for Game 1 between Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars
The Stars are the better team heading into this series. They will play a balanced game on offense while also focusing on shutting down the primary scoring threats of the Oilers. The betting pick is for the Dallas Stars to beat the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the 2024 NHL Western Conference Final.
The Oilers are not ready for a team as defensively sound as the Stars. This game will test the Edmonton offense. With that in mind, the betting pick is for the Oilers and Stars to combine for under six goals in Game 1 of the 2024 NHL Western Conference Final.
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