Rogers Place is playing host to an intriguing matchup as the Edmonton Oilers face off against the visiting Dallas Stars. It’s the third and last time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. Sportsnet West will showcase this Western Conference matchup, which gets underway at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 28.
Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers Odds
Dallas (-115) is currently the favorite over Edmonton (-105), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -120 for the under and +100 for the over.
Dallas is 40-37 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. 45 of its games have gone under the total, while 22 have gone over and just nine have pushed. The Stars are 18-20 SU on the road in 2018-19.
Dallas has converted on 20.1 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. Its penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.2 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, Dallas has been sent to the penalty box 3.5 times per game this season, and 2.2 per game over its last five road outings. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 4.4 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Averaging 26.9 saves per game with a .933 save percentage, Ben Bishop (27-18-2) has been the best option in goal for Dallas this year. Bishop did just play last night, however, so head coach Jim Montgomery could choose to rest him and instead go with Anton Khudobin (16-21-4 record, .924 save percentage, 2.53 goals against average).
The visiting Stars have relied on Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov this year. Seguin has 74 points via 31 goals and 43 assists, and has recorded two or more points 19 times. Radulov has 25 goals and 39 assists to his name (and has registered a point in 40 games).
On the other side of the rink, Edmonton is 34-42 straight up (SU) and has lost 12.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. 36 of its outings have gone under the total, while 35 have gone over and just five have pushed. This season, the team’s 18-20 SU at home.
Edmonton has converted on 21.6 percent of its power play chances this season, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 74.2 percent of all penalties.
The Oilers have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, 4.0 per game over their past five contests total, and 4.2 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays 13.0 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Mikko Koskinen (25.7 saves per game) has been the primary selection in the crease for Edmonton. Koskinen has 24 wins, 26 losses, and five overtime losses to his name and has maintained a pedestrian 2.90 goals against average and a fairly-weak .908 save percentage this year.
The home team offense will be led by Connor McDavid (39 goals, 73 assists).
Dallas Stars at Edmonton Oilers Free Picks
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Stars, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- For both of these teams, the over has hit in four of their last five outings.
- The Stars are 16-17 SU when they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Oilers are 16-23 SU in games where they spend more time in the box than their opponent.
- Edmonton (3-2 in shootouts) has more experience this season in games decided by shootout. Dallas fell short in its only shootout this season.
- Edmonton is ranked 11th overall with 7.8 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended lower lately, however, as it has forced 6.8 takeaways over its last 10 games and 6.2 takeaways over its last five.
- Dallas skaters have created 5.8 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 6.9 takeaways per game (ranked 23rd overall).