The Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars meet Friday in Game 5 of their best-of-7 Western Conference Final, which is tied 2-2. Puck drop from American Airlines Center is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Oilers vs. Stars odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Oilers rolled to a 5-2 win in Game 4 as -130 home favorites Wednesday to knot up the series, rather than going into a 3-1 hole heading back to Dallas. C Connor McDavid led the way with 3 assists as Edmonton scored 5 unanswered goals after slipping behind 2-0 just 5:29 into the game.
After a pair of Under results in the first 2 games in Dallas, the Over cashed in both games in Edmonton.
Before the 2 Over games, the Under was 5-0-1 for the Oilers.
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Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:14 a.m. ET.
Stuart Skinner (9-5-0, 2.71 GAA, .887 SV%, 1 SO — 2024 playoffs) vs. Jake Oettinger (10-7-0, 2.20 GAA, .919 SV% — 2024 playoffs)
Skinner was under fire after allowing 4 goals on just 21 shots in a 5-3 loss in Game 3, but he stabilized things in Game 4, turning aside 20 of the 22 shots he faced to set up this pivotal Game 5 back in Big D. Skinner allowed just 4 goals on 57 shots in the first 2 games in Dallas.
Oettinger was tagged for 4 goals on 28 shots in the 5-2 loss in Edmonton in Game 4. The last time he allowed 4 or more goals — in Game 5 against the Colorado Avalanche in the 2nd round when he gave up 5 — he rebounded by allowing just 1 goal on 30 shots in a Game 6 series-clinching 5-1 win.
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Stars 3, Oilers 2
The STARS (-130) are a strong play in Game 5 as they look to drive the Oilers (+110) to the brink of elimination, much to the chagrin of an entire nation. Edmonton is Canada’s hope for the nation’s 1st Stanley Cup since the Montreal Canadiens won it all in 1993.
The Oilers are 5-3 in 8 games on the road in these playoffs, including a 3-2 double-overtime win at Dallas in Game 1 of this series.
Still, the safe play here is backing Oettinger and the STARS (-130).
The Oilers +1.5 (-225) will cost more than 2 times the potential return. That’s way too much risk for not nearly enough reward, if you’re a little on the conservative side, but want some insurance on the road team.
If you like Edmonton, just bet it straight up.
PASS on a puck-line wager.
UNDER 6 (-120) is a strong play in this pivotal Game 5.
We saw the total go Under in the first 2 games in Texas, and it’s a good bet the total will go low again. Neither of these teams will want to do anything silly, making a mistake to allow the other side to get an odd-man rush going the other way. Each side should play it close to the vest as a loss means being pushed to the brink.
Look for goals to be at a premium in Game 5.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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