Facing each other for the third and final time this season, the Edmonton Oilers and the Dallas Stars take the ice at the American Airlines Center for a Western Conference showdown. The game gets underway at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 6 and it’ll be shown live on Fox Sports Southwest.
Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars Odds
Dallas is 23-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 0.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a surprising turnaround from how the team performed during last year’s regular season (34-48). Through 42 regular season contests, 24 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 17 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 15-6 SU at home this year.
The Stars have converted on 20.5 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 19th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.0 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, the Stars have been called for penalties 4.3 times per game overall this season, and 3.6 per game over their last five outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for 9.6 minutes per contest over their last five home games.
Averaging 26.2 saves per game with a .915 save percentage, Ben Bishop (18 wins, 15 losses, and two OT losses) has been the best option in goal for the Stars this season. If head coach Ken Hitchcock decides to give him a breather, however, the team may go with Kari Lehtonen (6-7-7 record, .907 save percentage, 2.59 goals against average).
The Stars will continue to look for leadership from Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin. Benn (38 points) is up to 16 goals and 22 assists and has recorded two or more points in nine different games this year. Seguin has 20 goals and 17 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 26 games.
Edmonton is 18-23 straight up (SU) and has lost 10.8 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 41 regular season contests, 21 of its games have gone under the total, while 19 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Oilers are 9-10 SU as the away team this season.
The Oilers have converted on just 15.8 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-10 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 32nd overall and it’s successfully killed off 70.5 percent of all penalties.
Edmonton’s players have been whistled for penalties 3.9 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their past ten match ups. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cam Talbot (.905 save percentage and 3.00 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Edmonton. Talbot is averaging 27.1 saves per game and has 15 wins, 16 losses, and two OT losses to his credit.
For the visiting Oilers, the offense will be coordinated by Connor McDavid, who has 32 assists and 14 goals this season.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Dallas Stars Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Stars, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Trends
Dallas is 3-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Edmonton is 1-1 in shootouts.
Edmonton skaters have accounted for the league’s second-most hits per game (27.1), but that number’s down to just 20.8 hits over their last five away games.
