Oilers vs Stars Game 1 Prediction, Odds & How to Watch (May. 21)

• The Dallas Stars are -123 moneyline favorites over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final
• Dallas also has the upper hand on the puck line at -1.5 (+190)
• Continue reading for our Stars vs Oilers Game 1 prediction, along with NHL betting odds and how to watch

The Dallas Stars welcome the Edmonton Oilers to the American Airlines Center tonight for Game 1 of the Western Conference Final. This matchup is a rematch of last year’s conference final, where the Oilers prevailed in an intense six-game series.

The Stars hold home-ice advantage this time around and come in as the betting favorites, but the Oilers have looked downright impressive in dispatching both the Kings and Golden Knights.

Let’s look closer at my Oilers vs Stars Game 1 prediction, including my best bets, odds and how to watch.

Oilers vs Stars Prediction for Game 1

• Dallas Stars Moneyline (-130 at BetMGM)
• Under 6.5 Goals (-130 at Bet99)

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The Dallas Stars have been utterly dominant on home ice this postseason, rattling off six straight wins at the American Airlines Center. Their sole loss came in their playoff opener against Colorado, but they’ve been lights out ever since, outscoring opponents 18-8 over that span.

Goaltender Jake Oettinger has been the backbone of their success, particularly in Dallas. He’s won six consecutive home starts with a stellar .924 save percentage. Oettinger was also brilliant in the Winnipeg series, compiling a .929 save rate across six games.

The Oilers, meanwhile, have struggled mightily in Game 1s during the Connor McDavid era. They’ve posted a meager 4-11 record in series openers, often looking a step behind out of the gate. With Edmonton coming off a full week of rest, expect Dallas to hit the ice with more jump and intensity early on.

Recent history also points to a low-scoring affair in Game 1. The Under has cashed in five of the last six Oilers vs Stars clashes in Dallas. The Stars have surrendered just 2.29 goals per game on home ice in the playoffs while stifling opponents with a rock-solid 90% penalty kill rate.

Edmonton’s usually lethal power play has also dried up away from Rogers Place. The Oilers are a shocking 0-for-14 with the man advantage on the road in the postseason. Considering Dallas owns the third-best penalty kill (86%) among remaining playoff teams, Edmonton’s top-heavy attack might struggle to break through tonight.

Oilers vs Stars Betting Trends

While the Oilers have struggled with the extra skater, Dallas leads all teams with a blistering 30.8% power-play conversion rate. They’ve already tallied 12 goals on the man advantage, providing a much-needed secondary scoring punch beyond their top 5-on-5 line.

Motivation certainly won’t be in short supply for the Stars either. After being eliminated by Edmonton in last year’s playoffs, they made aggressive moves to upgrade their roster. The addition of Mikko Rantanen and the return of star defenseman Miro Heiskanen have Dallas poised to flip the script in this rematch.

When you factor in the stellar goaltending, special teams edge, Oilers rust and revenge angle, the Stars offer solid value on the moneyline at -125. Bank on Dallas asserting its home-ice dominance in Game 1 and staying under the 6.5 total along the way.

Oilers vs Stars Game 1 Odds

The Under 6.5 goals is currently trading at -125 odds over at Bet99, with the Over sitting at +105. On the moneyline, Dallas is favored around -130 at online sportsbooks, while Edmonton comes back at +110 as a slight road underdog.

Bettors looking to back the Oilers +1.5 on the puck line will have to lay a hefty -235 price tag, while the Stars -1.5 returns a juicy +190 for those willing to spot the goal and a half. Check out the Oilers vs Stars odds for more prices.

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Odds as of May 21, 2025. Edmonton residents can bet on this game with the Bet99 promo code. American hockey fans should check out US betting sites.

How to Watch Oilers vs Stars

Game 1 kicks off at 8:00 PM ET at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX. You can catch it live on ESPN and ESPN+, and if you’re in Canada, tune in on CBC and SN.

The Stars have been a force at home all season, going an impressive 28-10-3 at the American Airlines Center during the regular season and 6-1 so far in the playoffs