Game 1 between the Dallas Stars and Edmonton Oilers featured real fireworks. Thanks to a third-period explosion from the Stars, a total of nine goals were scored in the opener of what should be a long and exciting series.
Let’s zero in on a few players who could find the back of the net in Game 2 with my Oilers vs. Stars anytime goalscorer predictions and NHL picks for May 23.
NHL anytime goalscorer picks for Oilers vs Stars Game 2
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McDavid 1+ goals (+150) -
Johnston 1+ goals (+210) - Marchment 1+ goals (+370)
Oilers vs Stars anytime goalscorer props for tonight
Connor McDavid anytime goalscorer (+150 at BET99)
The best player in the world has tested opposing goaltenders as often as anybody in the playoffs. Connor McDavid leads all players in shots on goal, scoring chances, and expected goals.
Based on the quality and quantity of looks generated, he has piled up 7.34 expected goals thus far. He has only converted those opportunities into three real ones.
McDavid has scored as many — or more — goals as expected in nine of his 10 NHL seasons and he fell just one short in the lone exception. He consistently outscores his opportunities, which is what you’d expect from a generational talent.
So long as the chances continue to be there, the goals will follow. And there’s no reason to expect they won’t be.
McDavid recorded seven shot attempts, five scoring chances, and four shots on target in the series opener against Dallas. It didn’t matter that a powerhouse Stars team could control the matchups and get their best against McDavid; he still had plenty of looks.
I expect a determined McDavid will have his fair share again in Game 2 and, with any luck, make at least one count.
Wyatt Johnston anytime goalscorer (+210 at BET99)
Wyatt Johnston is in a bit of a dry spell, scoring just one goal over his last seven games. His usage and the underlying numbers suggest a breakout could soon be coming.
Johnston logged more minutes than all but Mikko Rantanen among Stars forwards in that time. Rantanen is the only Stars forward with more shot attempts while Johnston is tied with Roope Hintz for first on the team with 11 high-danger chances. He’s getting looks.
We generally see opportunistic finishing from Johnston and going up against an inconsistent Stuart Skinner — who has allowed four goals or more in four of six starts these playoffs — should help him get back on track sooner rather than later.
It’s also worth noting Johnston, who also has a great playoff track record, has scored in five of his last eight against Edmonton dating back to last year’s postseason.
Mason Marchment anytime goalscorer (+370 at BET99)
Mason Marchment is sort of a Swiss Army Knife for the Stars. He moves up and down the lineup when the Stars need a spark and every unit he seems to land on is better for it.
In Game 1, the Stars won the 5-on-5 shot attempt battle and generated 10 shots on target with Marchment on the ice. He finished tied for the team lead in the latter category.
Plenty of those came off the stick of Marchment, who had five shot attempts and finished second on the Stars in shots on goal (three) at 5-on-5 in the series opener.
Marchment will primarily see Edmonton’s Bottom-6 lines and third pairing, giving him easier competition to take on.
The chances should continue to be there for Marchment, who quietly scored 22 goals in just 62 regular season games.
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