Dallas Stars - Edmonton Oilers    (won)

The Stars will welcome the Oilers in Game 1 and benefit from an essential home advantage. They won 6 in a row in Dallas and the last change gives them a huge edge. Oettinger has been solid between the pipes while offense is clicking across all lines. Rantanen has been the most in-form player during the post-season and I can only applaud this trade by the Stars. I think the hosts have the edge in the series and they should be able to start strong at home.

The Oilers had 6 days of rest. Yesterday, I went for the Canes as I was expecting fresh legs (also long rest). Well, they were quite pathetic and the Panthers demolished them on the road. I think that the main problem with having so many days off the ice is that you lose momentum and it was obvious in the case of the Hurricanes. Goaltending is impacted a lot by such breaks and I am challenging Skinner if he can keep his good form for the past 2 games. 

We have two strong offensive teams with very clinical players. Skinner can be very moody and I think that this break will not do him any good. The Oilers outclassed the Knights as they fell flat in offense but I doubt they will enjoy the same journey against the Stars. I will take the hosts to start the series with a win against a possibly "rusty" team from Edmonton.