As the NHL Playoffs roll into the Western Conference Final, fans are treated to a rematch thick with narrative, history, and high stakes. On Wednesday night, the Dallas Stars will host the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their best-of-seven series. This matchup reignites the fierce rivalry between two of the Western Conference’s most dynamic outfits—both packed with offensive weapons, defensive upgrades, and a burning desire to advance to the Stanley Cup Final.
Last year, it was the Oilers who ended Dallas’ hopes with a six-game series victory, denying them a ticket to the finals. That result has not been forgotten. The Stars have retooled and reloaded, making their third straight trip to the conference final with eyes fixed on redemption. Meanwhile, the Oilers have quietly refined their style of play, pairing their high-octane attack with a more structured defensive setup.
Both teams are entering this clash in exceptional form. The Oilers are riding the momentum of eight wins in nine games, including back-to-back shutouts to close out the Vegas series. Dallas, meanwhile, has impressed with its versatility—taking down the Winnipeg Jets and Colorado Avalanche through a combination of grit, speed, and timely scoring. This series promises fireworks, and Game 1 could set the tone for what might become a modern playoff classic.
Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars
Match Info
- Stanley Cup Playoffs – Western Conference Final, Game 1
- Wednesday 21 May 2025, 20:30 EST / Thursday 22 May 2025, 01:30 BST
- American Airlines Center, Dallas, USA
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers return to the Western Conference Final with the same star-studded roster that came agonisingly close to lifting the Cup last year, but with an important difference—defensive discipline. Edmonton’s path through the postseason has been anything but easy. They stumbled out of the gate against Los Angeles, but since those early missteps, they’ve been near-impeccable, dismantling the Kings and dispatching the Golden Knights with clinical precision.
Led by the indomitable duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton’s scoring depth has widened, thanks in part to contributions from its third and fourth lines and the offensive involvement of defenceman Evan Bouchard. The team’s commitment to two-way play has helped Stuart Skinner regain confidence between the pipes—culminating in two shutouts to end the last series. A notable concern remains their lack of power-play success on the road, but they may be buoyed by the potential return of Mattias Ekholm later in the series.
Dallas Stars
Dallas enters the series brimming with confidence and a clear chip on their shoulder. This is a team forged in playoff fire, reaching their third consecutive conference final. The Stars have turned last year’s heartbreak into fuel, and their performance so far has been evidence of a side evolved. They rolled past Winnipeg and outmuscled the Avalanche, with both their blue line and top six forwards stepping up in critical moments.
Much of Dallas’ success has stemmed from their ability to adapt—shutting down elite offences while generating enough scoring through the likes of Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, and new addition Mikko Rantanen. Their defensive corps, led by Miro Heiskanen, is mobile and composed, with the ability to transition quickly and support the attack. The Stars will be aware of the danger posed by Edmonton’s top lines but will back themselves to neutralise that threat with tactical discipline and playoff experience.
America Bet Match Winner Prediction
Dallas Stars to win
The Stars come into this matchup with home-ice advantage, greater rest, and a deeply ingrained desire for payback. While Edmonton’s stars will always be a threat, Dallas’ balanced, playoff-seasoned roster makes them slight favourites in Game 1.
America Bet Score Prediction
Edmonton Oilers 2 – 4 Dallas Stars
Expect a high-paced opener, but Dallas’ superior structure and ability to roll all four lines should give them the edge. Edmonton will get on the board, but the Stars are likely to capitalise on their depth and take a two-goal win.
America Bet Betting Tips
- Dallas Stars to Win
- Over 5.5 Total Goals
- Dallas Stars -1.5 (Puck Line)
- Jason Robertson Anytime Goalscorer
- Connor McDavid Over 1.5 Points
- Both Teams to Score in the First Period – Yes
- First Goal – Dallas Stars
- Total Shots on Goal – Over 60.5
- Stuart Skinner Over 27.5 Saves
- Exact Score: Dallas 4-2
