The Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers are two of the top Stanley Cup favorites in the Western Conference, and this matchup could go a long way in shaping home-ice advantage later in the postseason. The Stars are led by dominant goaltender Jake Oettinger, who has the luxury of knowing he won’t have to face Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl in this game.
Dallas is a strong team on the defensive side of the puck, proven by the fact that they’ve allowed the fourth-fewest goals this season. The Oilers will struggle to break down the most well-rounded team in the league on Wednesday night, and it will be fascinating to see what their offense looks like without McDavid and Draisaitl.
Will Edmonton find a way to grind out two crucial points, or will Dallas impose their will on the road and cut into the gap atop the Central Division?
Matchup: Stars vs Oilers Overview
- Teams: Dallas Stars at Edmonton Oilers
- Date: Wednesday, March 26th, 2025
- Time: Puck drop is at 10:00 PM EST (8:00 PM local time)
- Venue: Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Win Probabilities:
It isn’t often that the Edmonton Oilers are underdogs at home, but the Stars’ recent hot streak combined with the Oilers’ injuries has given Edmonton a 39.37% chance to win this game. Across the ice, the Dallas Stars are looking to chase down the Winnipeg Jets for the top spot in the Central Division and have been given a 60.63% chance of winning this game according to the NHL win probabilities.
Projected Final Score:
Had Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl been available for this matchup, the projected final score would likely look very different. However, with Edmonton missing its two biggest offensive weapons, the projected final score is Dallas Stars 3-1 Edmonton Oilers.
Stars vs Oilers Odds
With the Oilers missing their two best players, it’s no surprise to see them listed as underdogs in the NHL odds. The situation presents a prime opportunity for the Stars to capitalize on Edmonton’s injury struggles.
Both teams feature strong defensive cores, and Jake Oettinger will look to stand tall in net once again. The NHL odds reflect what should be a tight, defensive battle between two of the league’s elite clubs.
| Dallas Stars | Edmonton Oilers | |
| Moneyline | -160 | +115 |
| Puck Line | -1.5 (+154) | +1.5 (-220) |
| Total | Over 5.5 Goals (-134) | Under 5.5 Goals (-106) |
Expert Prediction: Who Wins?
Why the Dallas Stars Could Win
The Stars were already confident heading into this matchup, but that confidence has only grown knowing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will be sidelined for Wednesday night’s showdown.
Dallas doesn’t rely on prolific goal scorers like the Oilers do; instead, their strength lies in their depth. A third line featuring Jamie Benn and Wyatt Johnston is a luxury most NHL teams can’t afford, and the affordable talent at the top of their lineup allows the Stars to spend elsewhere. On the back end, they have a strong defensive core, and their goaltending is among the league’s best.
The Stars have faced criticism for lacking a truly elite goal scorer to push them over the top, but they addressed that concern at the trade deadline by acquiring Mikko Rantanen. Since his arrival in Texas, Rantanen has led the Stars to a 4-2-2 record, helping them navigate a tough schedule in that span. With talent on both ends of the ice, Dallas is well-positioned to take advantage of a shorthanded Edmonton Oilers squad, making them one of the strongest NHL picks for Wednesday night.
Why the Edmonton Oilers Could Win
The Oilers will need their secondary players to rise to the occasion in this matchup. Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid rank second and fourth in the league in points, but neither will be available against the Stars. That puts the spotlight on Evan Bouchard to lead from the blue line, while Ryan Nugent-Hopkins—now their top available forward—sits just 98th in the league in points this season. The lack of offensive firepower won’t be masked by goaltending either, as Stuart Skinner has just an .895 save percentage this season.
What Edmonton must do is use this opportunity to develop scoring depth beyond their two superstars. If the Oilers hope to repeat last season’s run to the Stanley Cup Finals, they’ll need more than McDavid and Draisaitl to carry the load. The extra ice time could allow emerging stars to step up, and Edmonton’s winning mentality will not disappear overnight.
How to Make Dallas Stars vs Edmonton Oilers Picks
The easiest question of the day is how to make Dallas Stars vs Edmonton Oilers picks, as Sportzino is the clear choice to do so. Sportzino offers comprehensive NHL odds for this matchup, including moneyline odds, puck line odds, and dozens of player props. You can make all your NHL predictions for free not only for this game, but for every matchup this season!
