Welcome to NHL Predictions! Last Word on Hockey continues its coverage of the Western and Eastern Conference Final. We have an elimination game in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final on Thursday night. Looking to save their season, the Dallas Stars host the Edmonton Oilers, who are seeking their second-straight trip to the Stanley Cup Final.
NHL Predictions
Dallas Stars vs. Edmonton Oilers
Time: 8:00 P.M. EST
TV: ESPN, ESPN+
Western Conference Final: Oilers Lead, 3-1
After dropping Game 1 of the series, the Oilers have taken control with three straight wins. Furthermore, in Games 2-4, Stuart Skinner allowed only two goals in total, including his third shutout of the playoffs in Game 2. This series has been all Oilers. Had it not been for the third period of Game 1, the Oilers would have wrapped up the series by now.
Oilers Seeking to End 15-Year Conference Drought
Suppose the Oilers can return to the Stanley Cup Final. In that case, they will become the first Western Conference team to repeat as conference champions in 15 years. The last Western Conference team to win the Clarence S. Campbell Bowl in back-to-back seasons was the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 and 2009.
However, the Oilers will have to look to finish the series without a key forward. Zach Hyman was injured during Game 4 and will miss the remainder of the postseason. It is unclear how the Oilers lineup will look in Hyman’s absence. Corey Perry filled in on Hyman’s line following the injury.
Stars on the Ropes
Once again, the Stars are facing elimination in the Western Conference Final. Many things have gone in the Stars’ favour. Jake Oettinger has struggled in net, and the offence has gone cold with one goal or less in three of the four games. The Stars entered the series atop the league lead in rush-chances analytics. This style of play created a lot of their offence. However, the Oilers have been able to limit the rush chances.
If there is a bright side for the Stars, they did get pucks on the net during Game 4. While they could not beat Skinner, it was the best the Dallas offence has looked in the series. Is that a sign things are turning around for the Stars? They have no choice at this point. They are on the ropes and have to find a way to save their season.
Prediction
The offence returns for the Stars in Game 5. The Oilers should continue their scoring. This will be an exciting, back-and-forth game. This game will need overtime. Scratch that. This game will need double overtime. On this big stage, a big name will emerge. Last year’s Conn Smythe winner, Connor McDavid, will score and send the Oilers back to the Stanley Cup Final.
Oilers win, 5-4, in double overtime.
Prop Bets
The over/under is set at 5.5 goals. We are taking the over with nine goals.
For prop bets, we are taking Stars captain Jamie Benn as an anytime-scorer for Dallas. For the Oilers, we have named McDavid as the series hero. He will not be the only big-name scoring for the Oilers. We are picking Leon Draisaitl as the Oilers’ anytime-scorer.
