The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers are set to face off in Game 1 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final on Wednesday in Dallas. Dallas secured their spot by defeating the Winnipeg Jets in six games, concluding with a 2-1 overtime win on Saturday. Edmonton, led by Connor McDavid, advanced after eliminating the Vegas Golden Knights in five games; their last game was a 1-0 overtime victory last Wednesday. Game 1 is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. ET at the American Airlines Center.
According to the latest odds, Dallas is favored on the money line at -130, meaning a $130 wager would win $100. Edmonton is the underdog at +110, where a $100 bet yields $110. The total goals over/under is set at 6.5. Dallas is also favored on the puck line at -1.5 (+190). For further insights before placing bets, consult predictions from SportsLine`s validated model, which offers free Game 1 picks for this matchup.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NHL game 10,000 times to generate predictions. The model has performed well in the 2025 NHL playoffs, holding an 80-56 record on top-rated puck-line and over/under picks through the conference finals, resulting in over $1,600 in returns for $100 bettors. This track record suggests potential strong returns for those who followed the model`s advice.
Here are three recommended player prop bets for the Stars vs. Oilers Game 1:
- Mikko Rantanen anytime goal-scorer (+140)
- Evander Kane over 2.5 shots on goal (+105)
- Jake Oettinger over 27.5 saves (-105)
Mikko Rantanen has been a top performer in the 2025 NHL playoffs, leading all skaters with 19 points (nine goals, 10 assists) in 13 games. Although he didn`t register a point in the final two games against the Jets, a return home could boost his production against an Oilers team he scored five points against in the regular season. The odds for him to score a goal at any time are +140.
Evander Kane is averaging 2.7 shots on goal over his 10 playoff games. He recorded four shots in Game 4 against Vegas (contributing to a goal and an assist) and three shots in Game 5. Betting on him to have over 2.5 shots on goal is listed at +105.
Jake Oettinger, who has started every game for Dallas this postseason, averages 28.8 saves per game, contributing to the Stars leading the playoffs in total saves. While the Under on total goals has been common in recent games for both teams, the Oilers average 32.7 shots per game in the playoffs, suggesting Oettinger will likely face plenty of action. The prop for him to make over 27.5 saves is priced at -105.
