Thu Mar 27 01:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Oilers Face Tough Test Against Stars Despite Upset Win

**Edmonton, AB** – The Edmonton Oilers pulled off a surprising 5-4 overtime victory against the Seattle Kraken on Saturday, a win made even more impressive considering the absence of star players Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl due to injury. However, the team faces a significantly tougher challenge Wednesday night when they host the playoff-bound Dallas Stars at Rogers Place.

Sports analyst Neil Parker predicts a low-scoring affair, projecting the game total to go “Under 6.0 goals.” He points to the Oilers’ struggles in expected goals against Seattle (43.4% xGF%), the Stars’ strong goaltending (Jake Oettinger boasting a .909 save percentage), and the absence of McDavid and Draisaitl as key factors. Parker anticipates Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch will prioritize a defensive strategy to compensate for their offensive deficiencies.

While the Stars recently shut out the injury-plagued Minnesota Wild 3-0, Parker also highlights the potential for Dallas forwards Mikko Rantanen and Roope Hintz to capitalize on the Oilers’ weakened lineup. He suggests both players are due for a statistical rebound, given their recent low team shooting percentage.

The Oilers’ performance without their top two scorers will be closely scrutinized, as their underlying metrics significantly drop without McDavid and Draisaitl on the ice. The game presents a crucial test of the team’s depth and defensive capabilities.

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