Welcome to a Friday edition of NHL Predictions! Most schools likely had their last day either today or earlier in the week. Teachers and students, congratulations on another successful school year! Enjoy the break! You can kick off your summer vacation with the rest of us by tuning into the Stanley Cup Playoffs! It is Game 2 of the Western Conference Final between the Dallas Stars and the Edmonton Oilers.
NHL Predictions
Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers
Time: 8:00 P.M. EST
TV: ESPN, ESPN+
Western Conference Final: Stars Lead 1-0
Game 1 went to the Stars, 6-3. However, through the first 40 minutes of the game, it looked like the Oilers would get an important road win. They lead 3-1 entering the third period. The Stars, however, would score five goals, including three power-play goals, to rally and take the opening game. After going 0-14 on the power play last year in the Western Conference Final, the Stars found a groove with the extra attacker and made it count in a big way.
“I didn’t feel we had played our best yet, and it’s tough to get to this point, and if you are going to lose a game at this point in the year, you want to make sure the other team has to earn it,” Stars head coach Pete DeBoer said. “I didn’t feel through 40 minutes that we had made them earn the position they were in. So, guys responded. We got fortunate. We got some power-play goals. I am happy about our power play. It took a lot of heat last year at this point of the year. It was the difference tonight for us, so it’s great.”
The Stars became the first team in Stanley Cup Playoff history to earn multiple wins in regulation after being down by two-plus goals in the third period. Their first was in Game 7 of their opening-round series.
Stars Seeking 2-0 Lead
The Stars are not strangers to the Western Conference Final. They have reached the round in 2020, 2023, 2024, and this season. However, the Stars have only won the series once, in 2020. One of the reasons for this is their inability to get the statement to win the series. For example, the Stars led last year’s series 2-1 against a struggling Oilers team. A victory in Game 4 would put the Oilers on the ropes, and the Stars would be in a great position to advance to the Stanley Cup Final. However, the Oilers won Game 4 and the next two games to take the series.
Game 2 is another opportunity for a statement win. A win in Game 2 would send the Stars to Edmonton with a 2-0 lead. The Oilers have already overcome a 2-0 deficit in these playoffs, but it is still not a spot teams want to get into. Furthermore, getting the statement win could give the Stars the momentum they need to finish the series. No one doubts the Stars skill and potential, but they have been unable to win the big games in recent years. A win in Game 2 would go a long way in overcoming their struggles in recent years.
Oilers Can Still Steal the Home-Ice Advantage
The Oilers missed a big opportunity in Game 1. Losing a 3-1 lead in the fashion they did could rattle some teams. However, the Oilers need to keep their eyes on the reality of the situation. A win in Game 2 would not only even the series, but it would give the Oilers the home-ice advantage. The Oilers could win their three home games and win the series, even if the Stars were to win their home games.
To do this, the Oilers need to stay out of the box. This is a better Stars team than the one they faced last year. Going to the penalty box four times and giving the Dallas offence time to work with an extra attacker is a recipe for disaster. Extra ice only helps the Stars. Ask the Colorado Avalanche how that worked out in Game 7.
Prediction
The last time a conference final ended in a sweep was in 2019. Will the Stars get one step closer to that? Will the Oilers even things up? It is a hard prediction to make.
After that rally, momentum is on the Stars’ side. However, it is hard to believe the Oilers will fold in this spot. We think the series will be tied heading to Edmonton.
Oilers win, 3-2, in overtime.
Prop Bets
The over/under is set at 5.5 goals. We are taking just under that with five goals.
For prop bets, we like Tyler Seguin as an anytime-scorer for the Stars. We are picking Connor McDavid for the Oilers to get the overtime-winning goal.
Main Photo: Jerome Miron- Imagn Images
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The post NHL Predictions: Western Conference Final Game 2 Dallas Stars Vs. Edmonton Oilers appeared first on Last Word On Hockey.