Game 5 of the NHL Western Conference Finals is set for Friday night, and this game will have a huge impact on which team wins the series. The series is currently sitting at 2-2 heading into Game 5, and it’s been a great battle up to this point.
Edmonton did what they had to do in Game 4 by coming up with a 5-2 win, but that ended a two-game losing streak that put them in a tough spot in this series. The Oilers will have to win at least one road game if they are going to win this series.
Dallas missed out on a great chance to take a 3-1 series lead with a Game 4 win, but that matchup was never close. The Stars did get home ice advantage back, and they will now be looking to keep it that way.
The Dallas Stars are coming into this game as moneyline favorites at -130, while the Edmonton Oilers are sitting at +110 on the moneyline.
Oilers Want to Score
The Edmonton Oilers are a team that wants to win games by scoring goals, and that was the case in the Game 4 win. Edmonton has a pair of superstars in Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, and those two will need to set the tone.
Draisaitl hasn’t quite been playing his best hockey in this series, but McDavid is leading the way with 24 assists and 28 total points. Edmonton continues to be tough to stop on the power play, but they need to get going at even strength as well.
Getting defensive stops is always a huge key for the Oilers, and they have been playing some solid defense for much of the postseason.
Dallas Needs to Defend
Dallas has been a good offensive team this season, but that is not how they are going to win this matchup with Edmonton. The Stars did score five goals in Game 3, but they are a team that wants to win games by being physical.
Center Wyatt Johnston is having a big season for the Stars as he leads the team with nine goals in the playoffs. This team doesn’t have ton of offensive depth, and it will be up to the biggest stars to set the tone in this game.
Look for the Stars to play a physical brand of hockey, and then it will be up to Jake Oettinger to set the tone. Oettinger got beat in Game 4, but he is allowing just 2.20 goals per game in the postseason.
Stars Take Series Lead
Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals is going to be a battle, and each team will be trying to establish the pace in this matchup. Edmonton will be looking to take the lead on offense, but that’s not going to be easy to do on the road.
Dallas will need a big game from goaltender Jake Oettinger, and that is something that he has been doing throughout the playoffs. The Stars will need to find a way to score some goals, but they will be aggressive on offense in this matchup.
Bet the Dallas Stars -130 on the moneyline as they are going to find enough offense to pick up a huge win in Game 5 of this series.
