Dallas Stars vs Edmonton Oilers Picks and Predictions May 21st 2025

Stars Seek Redemption Against Oilers in High-Stakes Western Conference Final

With a Stanley Cup Final berth hanging in the balance, the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers are ready to clash once again in the Western Conference Finals. For the Stars, this series isn’t just another playoff run—it’s a shot at redemption after falling to the Oilers in last year’s conference showdown.

And with both teams coming into this rematch in top form, expect fireworks from puck drop.

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Revenge-Fueled Motivation for Dallas

The Stars have waited a full year for this chance. Their six-game loss to Edmonton in the 2024 Western Conference Finals left a mark, and it’s a wound that still stings.

“We remember what happened last year, but we’ve both been through a new season. We’ve brought in different players. They’ve brought in different players.”
— Jamie Benn, Dallas Stars Captain

This time, Dallas is armed with a deeper roster and improved NHL betting strategies for handling high-pressure situations. They eliminated both the Avalanche and Jets thanks to a lockdown defense and a reinvigorated offense led by the likes of Miro Heiskanen and Mikko Rantanen.

Oilers Arrive Battle-Tested and Balanced

Don’t let Edmonton’s flash fool you—they’ve added substance too. The dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl still headline the team, but the Oilers’ playoff run has been defined by gritty depth players and surprisingly stingy defense.

After dropping their first two games against the Kings, Edmonton ripped off eight wins in their next nine, including two shutouts to close out the Vegas series. Goaltender Stuart Skinner, once benched, has roared back into form and looks poised to play a pivotal role.

“They’re incredibly deep … have a really good team; it’ll be a good test.”
— Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers

That depth has caught the attention of those tracking Stanley Cup predictions and picks, who now see Edmonton as more than just a flashy offensive squad.

A Clash of Familiar Foes

There’s no shortage of history between these two teams. Beyond last season’s playoff battle, the Stars and Oilers faced off three times this year, with Dallas taking two of those matchups. That familiarity will only fuel the intensity.

“I don’t know if there’s bad blood but there’s some compete. We’re trying to change the script.”
— Mikko Rantanen, Dallas Stars

And let’s not forget the physical element—both teams are known for throwing their weight around. With high stakes and recent history, the edge in this series could come down to composure and special teams.

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Players to Watch and Potential X-Factors

Dallas leans heavily on Heiskanen’s blue-line brilliance and Rantanen’s creativity, but they’ll need secondary scoring to keep up. Edmonton counters with not only McDavid and Draisaitl but also Evan Bouchard and a strong, newly resilient defensive core.

Defenseman Mattias Ekholm could be a game-changer if he returns mid-series. Out for 21 of the last 22 games, Ekholm has practiced and is expected to miss only the first two contests.

“Getting a guy like that back into the lineup, it’s hard to describe how much he can do.”
— Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers