A rematch of final yr’s Western Convention Last begins Wednesday, because the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs proceed when the Dallas Stars host the Edmonton Oilers for Recreation 1 of their matchup. That is the third straight look within the convention closing for the Stars, who misplaced in six video games to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 and the Oilers final postseason. Edmonton has reached this spherical for the third time in 4 years and is seeking to advance to the Stanley Cup Last in consecutive campaigns for the third time in franchise historical past.
Dallas arrange this rematch with a six-game overcome the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets within the second spherical. After establishing Sam Metal’s tying aim within the second interval of Recreation 6 on Saturday, defenseman Thomas Harley scored on the facility play at 1:33 of additional time to offer the Stars their sixth straight house victory this postseason.
The Oilers additionally superior with an additional time win, as they defeated Vegas 1-0 on Might 14 to wrap up their second-round collection in 5 video games. Kasperi Kapanen netted his first playoff tally since 2021 whereas with the Pittsburgh Penguins 7:19 into the additional session whereas Stuart Skinner turned apart all 24 photographs he confronted for his second consecutive shutout — and Edmonton’s fourth straight highway victory.
These franchises are assembly within the postseason for the tenth time total and eighth for the reason that Stars relocated from Minnesota for the 1993-94 season. Previous to Edmonton’s triumph final yr, Dallas received 5 consecutive matchups.
Listed below are some gamers with worth to contemplate when making NHL participant props for Wednesday’s Western Convention Last opener.
Leon Draisaitl, Oilers: Anytime aim scorer (+125, BetMGM)
Edmonton has been receiving extra scoring from secondary sources than it often does within the postseason, as 9 gamers have recorded three or extra targets. In fact, a type of gamers is Draisaitl, who’s tied with Corey Perry for the crew lead with 5 tallies. The 29-year-old German has gone three video games and not using a aim however scored within the opener of every of the Oilers’ first two collection in these playoffs in addition to in Recreation 1 of final yr’s convention closing in opposition to the Stars, so I count on the pattern to proceed Wednesday.
Evan Bouchard, Oilers: 1+ help (+110, FanDuel)
After failing to register an help within the closing 5 video games of Edmonton’s first-round collection in opposition to the Los Angeles Kings, Bouchard bought extra concerned offensively within the second spherical versus the Golden Knights. The 25-year-old recorded 5 assists in that matchup, notching a pair on two events, and is tied for first amongst defensemen with eight this postseason. Bouchard arrange three targets within the three regular-season conferences with Stars in 2024-25 after gathering six assists in opposition to Dallas in final yr’s Western Convention Last. He has amassed 53 assists over 64 contests in his playoff profession.
Miro Heiskanen, Stars: Over 0.5 assists (+130, bet365)
Heiskanen, who hadn’t performed since Jan. 28 on account of a knee damage, made his 2025 playoff debut in Recreation 4 of Dallas’ second-round collection in opposition to Winnipeg and instantly bought concerned offensively with an help. The 25-year-old Finnish blue-liner has arrange a aim in seven in his final eight total video games, together with two of his three playoff contests. Heiskanen has registered 4 assists in his final eight postseason video games, with two coming in opposition to the Oilers in final yr’s Western Convention Last. He reached double figures in assists every of the previous two postseasons and completed second within the NHL in 2020, when he amassed 20 in 27 video games throughout Dallas’ run to the Stanley Cup Last.
Thomas Harley, Stars: Over 0.5 factors (+100, bet365)
Harley is having his finest postseason offensively, as he has set profession highs with 4 targets and 11 factors in 13 video games. The 23-year-old defenseman entered these playoffs with one tally and 13 factors in his earlier 39 postseason contests. Heiskanen’s return has not slowed down Harley, who has recorded a aim and two assists in Dallas’ three video games with each within the lineup. He has landed on the scoresheet in 11 of his final 16 playoff contests relationship again to final yr and notched three assists in three conferences with the Oilers this previous common season.
Take a look at the SportsLine Projection Mannequin’s predictions for each recreation of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, together with skilled picks, solely at SportsLine!
