The Edmonton Oilers and the Dallas Stars meet in Game 5 of the Western Conference Final in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Thursday at American Airlines Center in Dallas. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (ABC / ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Oilers vs. Stars odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Series: Oilers lead 3-1

The Stars struggled to find offense in Edmonton, getting blown out 6-1 in Game 3 Sunday, while falling 4-1 in Game 4 Tuesday. The game wasn’t as lopsided as the score might indicate from Game 4, as 2 of the goals were of the empty-net variety. Still, the Oilers (-125) were able to prevail as the Under (6) came through.

Oilers G Stuart Skinner has had a new lease on life, winning 3 straight games in this series. He was benched in the first round against the LA Kings in favor of Calvin Pickard, and he only got his job back in the second round against the Vegas Golden Knights because Pickard was hurt. In the past 6 starts, he has allowed 1 or no goals, including 3 shutouts. That includes Game 2 in Dallas, when Skinner stopped all 25 shots he faced.

The good news for the Stars is that LW Jason Robertson has come alive with a pair of goals in the past 2 games, his first scores of the postseason. The bad news is that 21-year-old C Wyatt Johnston is in the midst of an ugly 7-game scoreless skid, and he even went without a shot on goal in Game 4.

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Oilers at Stars odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:07 a.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Oilers +110 (bet $100 to win $110) | Stars -130 (bet $130 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Oilers +1.5 (-225) | Stars -1.5 (+185)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -102 | U: -118)Oilers at Stars projected goalies

Stuart Skinner (5-4-0, 2.47 GAA, .910 SV%, 3 SO – postseason) vs. Jake Oettinger (9-8-0, 2.72 GAA, .908 SV% – postseason)

Skinner has stepped up and kept the Stars at bay, allowing just 2 total goals in the past 3 games. How many people saw Skinner dominating the powerful Stars offense, while posting a much better GAA than Oettinger? He is making the most of his second opportunity after losing grip on the starting job in the first round.

Oettinger had, arguably, his best start of the series in Game 4. He made 29 saves on 31 shots, allowing just a pair of power-play goals, but it still wasn’t good enough. He looks to bounce back on home ice where Dallas has won 7 of the past 8 games.

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Oilers at Stars picks and predictionsPrediction

Stars 3, Oilers 2

The STARS (-130) have their backs against the wall, but the good news is that they’re on home ice, where Dallas has been strong. Of course, the last time these teams played at American Airlines Center, Skinner and the Oilers posted a 3-1 loss. That snapped a 7-game postseason win streak on home ice.

The Oilers have pushed the Stars to the brink of elimination, inching closer to a rematch with the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. Edmonton is going to have a tough time closing this one out, though. Dallas should get it done, but don’t be surprised if we get our first overtime marathon of the series.

The Oilers +1.5 (-225) are much too pricey if you need a little insurance, as they’ll cost you more than 2 times your potential return. If you like Edmonton, just bet it straight up.

PASS.

UNDER 6 (-118) might be the best play in this elimination game.

The Stars have cobbled together just 2 goals in the past 3 games against Skinner. While the Dallas offense is due, we’ve seen plenty of Under results from the Stars in these playoffs. The Under is 3-1 in the past 4 games at home for Dallas, while going 7-3 in the past 10 playoff outings.

For the Oilers, Under is also a risky play, but Skinner has it on cruise control right now. And, Edmonton has managed 3 or fewer goals in 5 of the past 7 games, too, with the Under going 4-2-1 in that span.

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