Welcome to the latest edition of NHL Predictions. In this series, our team here at Last Word on Hockey breaks down head-to-head matchups and other key elements that may influence the outcome of each game each day. This edition of NHL Predictions analyzes the Saturday, March 8, 2025, matchup between the Dallas Stars and the Edmonton Oilers.
Time: 10 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: ESPN+, Victory+, CBC, SportsNet
The Stars and the Oilers provided the hockey world with an entertaining Western Conference Final series last season, which Edmonton won in six games. The two have only faced off once so far this season, with Dallas emerging with a 4-1 victory on home ice in October.
Dallas’s charge was led by Matt Duchene, who scored twice and is now second on the team in points. His two goals helped Dallas build a three-goal lead, while Leon Draisaitl was the only one to put the puck past goaltender Jake Oettinger for Edmonton.
Now, the regular-season series returns to Edmonton, where the Oilers will host Dallas twice this month. Can they even the series and try to catch Vegas in the Pacific Division? Find out with NHL Predictions.
The Stars were the big headliners at Friday’s trade deadline, acquiring star forward Mikko Rantanen from the Carolina Hurricanes for forward Logan Stankoven and multiple draft picks. The addition of Rantanen brings another 40-goal scorer to an already deep lineup, and he may slide right into place on Dallas’ first line. The move also allowed the Stars to sign forward Wyatt Johnston to a contract extension.
Dallas enters play on Saturday in second place in the Western Conference, trailing the Winnipeg Jets by six points. The Stars have been on fire over the last two weeks or so, winning five of their last six games. It’s a continuation of their hot streak that started before the Four Nations Face-Off, and a suddenly extremely successful power play has helped turn the page.
That power play has scored in each win during the current run and has climbed the league rankings. It’s been a huge help for a struggling and thin defence, even with Oettinger and backup Casey DeSmith playing as well as they have.
The Oilers have work to do to catch the Stars and the Jets, but they are within striking distance of the Vegas Golden Knights in the Pacific. Edmonton trails Vegas by four points with 20 games remaining, but only one of those is a head-to-head matchup with their division rivals.
Edmonton is going through a rough stretch, losing six of its last eight games. During that time, opponents have had no trouble scoring goals. The Oilers gave up at least four goals in five straight games to close February, and the Anaheim Ducks put up a six-spot against them on Tuesday. Maybe the addition of defenceman Jake Walman will help somehow.
The Oilers are in the middle of the pack when it comes to allowing goals from opponents, just under the 3.00 goals against per game barometer that tends to suggest separation between the upper tier and lower tiers of the NHL. Yet, Stuart Skinner, who was phenomenal in Game 6 of the Western Conference Final, has allowed an average of 3.25 goals per game in his last eight appearances. Backup Calvin Pickard has been even worse, surrendering 16 goals in his last five games.
Dallas’s new, even deeper lineup will be intriguing to watch. The Stars might not be fully healthy at the moment and need guys to step up defensively, but they will be hard to beat over the final portion of the regular season. Edmonton can be a difficult place to play, but with the Oilers’ recent struggles, it’s easy to see Dallas’ advantages. The Stars are on a mission, and with the latest moves, expect them to prevail in a high-scoring game.
Prediction: Stars win 5-3.
Stars forward Jamie Benn is always a solid pick to score against Edmonton. He has 24 goals in 44 career games against the Oilers. With the skill of their linemates, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (+140) and Zach Hyman (+195) always have good chances to pick up assists.
Main photo by: Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images
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Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day our writers here at Last Word on Hockey look at the games and give in-depth analysis. Our team
Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled then offers insight and analysis to help
Welcome back to NHL Predictions! Every day, Last Word on Hockey provides insights and analysis to predict the outcome of the games on the NHL schedule.
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