A repeat Western Conference finals matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars offers plenty of intrigue for bettors. The question on everyone’s mind is whether Mikko Rantanen can change the fortunes of the Stars, who lost this matchup last season. Additionally, will Stuart Skinner bounce back from his shaky performances in early playoffs? Can Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard replicate their 17-point performance against the Stars last year?
The odds suggest a close series with the Oilers favored to win. However, betting on the Stars to win Game 1 and lose the series could provide a higher payout. The trio of Rantanen, Roope Hintz, and Mikael Granlund have been dominant at home, scoring seven goals against opponents in five-on-five situations.
The puck line is set at Oilers +1.5 (-250), with the Stars -1.5 (+185). The over/under is 6.5 (+110/-130), but betting on the over could be a good option, given that the teams totaled seven and nine goals in their two games in March.
The key question is how well the Stars can silence their power play, which struggled against Edmonton last season. Meanwhile, Zach Hyman’s series total goals and Mikko Rantanen’s point tally offer enticing options for bettors looking to make a splash on ESPN BET.
Source: https://www.espn.com/espn/betting/story/_/id/45247847/nhl-stanley-cup-playoffs-bets-western-conference-finals-oilers-stars-game-1