The third match of the Stanley Cup semi-final between the Edmonton Oilers and the Dallas Stars will take place on May 25 at Rogers Place. The series is tied at 1-1. Edmonton vs. Dallas: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Edmonton Oilers
In the previous game, Edmonton defeated Dallas 3-0 to level the semi-final series. The team scored as early as the 6th minute, capitalizing on a power play. Edmonton netted two more goals in the second period, with just over a minute between them. Under Chris Knoblauch's guidance, Edmonton has been playing a physical game since the start of the series against Dallas, showing a significant advantage in hits (47-36, 49-29) over the two matches. Edmonton performs better at home, winning 4 out of 5 games in the current NHL playoffs.
- Edmonton has scored at least 2 goals in regular time in their last 11 home games in the NHL.
- The team has kept a clean sheet in 3 of their last 4 NHL playoff matches (1 in OT).
- Edmonton has scored in the 1st period in 6 of their last 8 NHL playoff games.
Dallas Stars
Peter DeBoer's side squandered the advantage gained at the start of the semi-final series in the last meeting. Dallas failed to score despite both teams having an equal number of shots on target—25 each—over three periods. Discipline is an issue for Dallas. In the last game against Edmonton, they earned twice as many penalty minutes as their opponents—12. In the league, Dallas Stars rank third in this category (164 minutes), while Edmonton is sixth (107 minutes).
- At least one team failed to score in the 1st period in 11 of Dallas's last 13 NHL playoff games.
- At least 3 goals have been scored in 13 of Dallas's last 15 NHL playoff games.
Edmonton vs. Dallas: Match Prediction
Edmonton has been playing a high-scoring game in the NHL playoffs, especially at home. In all 5 home games in the current playoffs, the team has scored at least 3 goals in regular time. In the round of 16 against Los Angeles, the team was already trailing 0-2 in the series, but two home victories turned the situation around and allowed Chris Knoblauch's men to get back into the game.
Dallas managed to both win and lose in the first two semi-final matches, but in both cases, they conceded three goals to Edmonton. Peter DeBoer's team has lost 4 of their 6 away games in the current playoffs, conceding at least 4 goals in regular time in those matches. Dallas is the most conceding team in the current NHL playoffs, with 44 goals against them. Edmonton ranks third in this category with 40 goals.
Edmonton's head-to-head matches with the opponent have also been high-scoring. The team has scored at least 3 goals in regular time in 6 of their last 7 home games against Dallas in the NHL. I believe Chris Knoblauch's men will deliver another high-scoring performance in the upcoming match against Dallas.
My prediction: Edmonton Oilers individual total over 2.5 goals
