The Western Conference Finals continue Tuesday night as the Edmonton Oilers host the Dallas Stars for Game 4 at Rogers Place. Puck drops at 8:00 p.m. ET. The Oilers lead the series 2-1 after a big win in Game 3, where they scored six goals and held Dallas to just one. This is a pivotal game with the chance for Edmonton to take a 3-1 series lead or for Dallas to tie things back up heading home.
The Oilers have defended home ice well so far in the playoffs. The Stars, on the other hand, will need to steal one in Edmonton to win the series. Game 3 was more lopsided than expected, but Dallas actually had more scoring chances. That sets up a tight matchup for Game 4. If you’re looking to run your own sportsbook, check out WagerHome.com and see how easy it is to become a PPH bookie.
Oilers Preview – Home Ice Has Been the Key
The Oilers won Game 3 by a score of 6-1. Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman each scored twice, and Edmonton controlled the game early. They now lead the series 2-1 and have won six of their last seven home playoff games.
Evan Bouchard has been one of the Oilers’ top performers in the postseason. He has two goals and three assists in the series and has scored five of his six playoff goals at home. His power-play presence continues to make a difference. Mattias Ekholm is listed as a game-time decision. If he plays, that will give the Oilers’ defense a boost in size and puck movement.
Goaltender Stuart Skinner bounced back in Game 3 with 33 saves. He now has three wins in his last four starts and will be counted on again in Game 4. Edmonton has averaged 4.2 goals per game over their last five playoff matchups. When their top line is scoring and the defense is holding steady, they are very tough to beat at home.
Stars Preview – Pressure to Respond
Dallas is now down 2-1 in the series and faces a big test in Game 4. They will try to even things up before heading back home for Game 5. In Game 3, Dallas actually had more scoring chances at 5-on-5 and more shot attempts, but they could not beat Skinner when it mattered.
The Stars fired 34 shots in Game 3. Jason Robertson may move to the top line if Roope Hintz is unable to play. Hintz has been out with an injury, and his return would help Dallas generate more scoring depth. Robertson had two assists in the series and could be a bigger factor with more ice time.
Jake Oettinger gave up six goals on 31 shots in the last game. His play will be key in Game 4, as the Stars cannot afford to get into a shootout-style game with the Oilers. Dallas has been a solid road team in the postseason, with five road wins. They will need a complete game on both ends of the ice to tie this series.
PPH Betting Prediction
The Oilers are listed as -165 favorites on the moneyline. The Stars are +140 underdogs, with the total set at 6.5 goals. The puck line has the Oilers -1.5 at +145 and the Stars +1.5 at -175. Edmonton’s top line is clicking, and their home ice advantage has been strong all postseason. If they score first, the Oilers should control the tempo again.
Dallas has played well on the road and did generate chances in Game 3. But if Hintz is still out and Oettinger can’t bounce back, this will be a tough game to win. Edmonton looks like the better play on the puck line given the way Game 3 went. To offer these odds to your own players, become a bookie with WagerHome.com today.
Pick: Oilers -1.5
