Free NHL Picks Today: Edmonton Oilers vs Dallas Stars 11/5/22

Offense meets defense at Rogers Place on Saturday as the dynamic Edmonton Oilers (7-4-0) host the suffocating Dallas Stars (7-3-1). Dallas is coming off a high-scoring 7-2 win over the Coyotes on Thursday. The Stars committed only one penalty in the game, holding Arizona without a power play goal. Jason Robertson was the top goalscorer for the Stars with two goals. Jamie Benn had a goal and two assists to lead the team in scoring.

Scott Wedgewood saved an impressive 28 of 30 shots (.933%) in the win. Edmonton fell 4-3 to the Devils on Thursday. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Derek Ryan each scored once for the Oilers. McDavid added an assist to share the scoring lead with Tyson Barrie, who had two assists. Stuart Skinner only had 39 saves on 43 shots against (.906%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Stars won two of the three games between the teams last season, although the Oilers were 5-2 victors in their final meeting in April. McDavid led Edmonton with three points (1G 2A). Roope Hintz and Robertson each had two points (1G 1A) to lead Dallas. Mike Smith got the win, saving 34 of 36 shots (.944%).

FACING OFF

Dallas is averaging 3.64 goals per game for the season, sixth in the NHL, and they are taking on an Oilers team that is allowing 3.27 goals a game (21st). Meanwhile, Edmonton has found the net 4.00 times a game on average, third in the league, and will be looking to break down the Stars’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to 2.27 goals per game (2nd).

The Oilers’ second-ranked power play offense (34.15%) will face a tough test against the Stars, who are the league’s fifth-best penalty killing team (85.11%). Dallas, meanwhile, has scored on 26.32% of their power play opportunities (7th), which the visitors will be aiming to add to against Edmonton’s 25th-ranked 75.00% penalty killing rate.

TOP PERFORMERS:

Robertson and Hintz have been the top skaters for the Stars this season with 15 and 14 points. Robertson is the ninth-leading point scorer in the NHL. Robertson is among the league leaders with his seven goals (9th). In the net, Jake Oettinger (5-1-0) is Dallas’ top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 1.40 GAA, best in the league, and a .952% save percentage, also best.

McDavid and Draisaitl lead the Oilers in scoring with 24 and 22 points, respectively. They rank first and second in the league in points scored on the season. McDavid has a league-best 12 goals and 12 assists (2nd), while Draisaitl has a league-best 16 assists and six goals () in 11 games. Skinner (2-2-0) has the best goals against average for Edmonton at 2.11.

He has a save percentage of .944%, second-best in the league. Jack Campbell (5-2-0) has played the most games in net for the Oilers this season. He has a 3.90 GAA and a .881% save percentage.