The lecture and teaching lessons are always active in these playoffs. Edmonton passed their test in Game 2 as they shut down Dallas 3-0. Dallas fell down three goals and never could find the first goal, never mind the equalizer. Can Edmonton continue the momentum, or will Dallas rebound on Sunday afternoon?
Game 3 faces a few considerable questions from the injury front and will determine how to bet on the NHL Playoffs matchup.
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Edmonton And Dallas Have Some Uncertainty
For those wondering, the toughest news is yet to come injury-wise.
- Dallas has questions with Roope Hintz (lower body).
- Edmonton is not sure about Mattias Ekholm.
- Calvin Pickard is still out for Game 3.
The biggest problem for Dallas is the 11-7 alignment that Peter DeBoer keeps using. It is well documented that Mikko Rantanen and other forwards have been less effective as the minutes have increased. Rantanen’s stats when playing 20+ minutes are paltry compared to all the points he has racked up when playing around 18 minutes. It’s a night and day difference!
Now, trying to gauge the Oilers and sometimes the Stars is nearly impossible. However, the rebound from Game 2 came through for Edmonton as they held the goals down and connected on the moneyline. Jake Oettinger looked a little ordinary at times, and the feeling is that Edmonton will keep punching onward from here.
Edmonton scored three goals and won Game 2. One question is when Kris Knoblauch will introduce Ekholm into this series. When does DeBoer finally go 12-6? With the Hintz news pending, the Dallas coach may have some trepidation. This is why the ongoing chess match is fascinating for bettors.
If Hintz is out for Game 3, that is a significant blow for the top Dallas line. Does Jason Robertson move up, or someone else? Will this truly push numbers further in favor of Edmonton? Remember, this is not a primetime start (3:00 p.m. ET).
Yes, Edmonton has not traumatized Oettinger like the Oilers did last year, but the series is still young.
The expectation is that Edmonton finds a way to win this game. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have the depth to go up against the formation of Dallas and exploit it. The last line change matters more here, and that second period could be the big problem for the Stars again on Sunday afternoon. A regulation bet is in play.
First Bet: Edmonton to win in regulation (EVEN via BetMGM).
Stars vs. Oilers Series Swing Time
For those wondering, this is what things looked like before Game 3:
- Edmonton was a -120 favorite to win the series, while Dallas was around EVEN for Game 1
- Game 2 saw Dallas as a -190 favorite to advance, and Edmonton is a +160 underdog.
- Game 3 has Edmonton now at -150 while Dallas is the +130 underdog.
Dallas and Edmonton have the potential to be their own soap opera in this series. Carolina and Florida are steamrolling to an inevitable Florida conclusion (Florida is now a -3500 favorite). It also illustrates how series and betting fortunes can turn on a dime. After all, the Carolina-Florida game was 1-1 after 40 minutes. Then, the Panthers erupted!
The prevailing thought is that the Oilers are better equipped to handle Dallas. If Edmonton makes fewer mistakes, the series is theirs. If Stuart Skinner plays close to his ceiling, the Stars do not have a chance here.
Edmonton’s depth gets only stronger if and when Ekholm returns, while Dallas starts to break down. One series prop is probably the most goals, and a small wager on Leon Draisaitl is worth a look.
Series Market Prop: Leon Draisaitl most goals in the series (+290 via DraftKings).
Is There Another Bet?
Yes, we have another bet on the table. We are going back to the well with Stuart Skinner. He may have a few adventures on Sunday afternoon, but Dallas is suitable for 25+ shots again in Game 3. That should be just enough to get Skinner to the 23-save mark.
One Last Bet: Stuart Skinner over 22.5 saves (-133 via Caesars).
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