Western Conference Finals betting tips: Oilers-Stars best picks

The puck drops on the Western Conference finals Thursday night, as the Edmonton Oilers take on the Dallas Stars. The Oilers have the three leading point-scorers this postseason in Leon Draisaitl (24 points), Connor McDavid (21 points), and Evan Bouchard (20 points).

The Dallas Stars are led by current Conn Smythe Trophy favorite Jake Oettinger, and feature a balanced scoring attack from Wyatt Johnston, Miro Heiskanen and more.

Check out the Eastern Conference series picks, between the Florida Panthers and New York Rangers.

All odds accurate as of publish time. For more, go to ESPN BET.

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Edmonton Oilers at Dallas Stars

American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas; Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. ET

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• Game 1 Puck line: Oilers +1.5 (-250), Stars -1.5 (+185)

• Series line: Oilers (+110), Stars (-130)

• Series length: Four games (+600), Five Games (+275), Six Games (+200), Seven Games (+200)

Best Bet: Logan Stankoven Or Jamie Benn To Score Over 2.5 Goals In The Conference Finals (+160). The either/or-ness appeals here, particularly if this series goes six or seven games. Benn potted exactly a pair against the Avalanche through six contests last round, while Stankoven kicked in three. The Oilers’ defense will have it’s hands full in trying to stifle Dallas’s balanced attack up front, including a third (but not really) line that often comprises the veteran and rookie, plus an electric Wyatt Johnston. When Stankoven isn’t skating on another dynamic forward unit including Jason Robertson.

Bonus Superstar Parlay: Chris Kreider (Rangers) & Carter Verhaeghe (Panthers) & Wyatt Johnston Each To Score Over 1.5 Goals In The Conference Finals (+170). Asking three proven clutch playoff performers to score only a pair of goals in their respective series doesn’t feel like too big of a demand at all. Especially since both remaining series’ are expected to go, or near, the distance.

If the Stars win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe Trophy? Miro Heiskanen (+1100). While Jake Oettinger presents as the overall favorite — dropping to +350 from +2500 before Round 2 — the Stars’ defender has been near equal in value to his club’s run of postseason success. If Heiskanen continues to lead his team in production, while also skating nearly half an hour/game, guaranteed he’ll take up a lot of space in the Conn Smythe conversation.

If the Oilers win the Stanley Cup, who wins the Conn Smythe Trophy? Evan Bouchard (+4000). Averaging 1.67 points and 24:19 minutes/game, while leading Edmonton with a plus-10 rating, Bouchard is blossoming into a star this postseason. Knowing the Oilers aren’t in this position without enjoying so much success on special teams, the engine driving their power play deserves a large chunk of credit. Only two other players in the league – teammates Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, as it happens — have more points than the 24-year-old defender.