NHL betting: Who will score first in Game 1 of the Western Conference Final?

Keep in mind that we're just looking at who will score first, not necessarily who will win the game or the series. Remember, the Stars opened up Game 1 against the Colorado Avalanche with three goals and then lost that game 4-3 in overtime.  

If you look solely at who has scored the most goals, you will no doubt be tempted to bet the Oilers will light the lamp first on Thursday. The top goal-scorers left in the Stanley Cup playoffs are Hyman (11) and Draisaitl (8), and with McDavid leading the postseason in assists (19), betting Edmonton to score first at +100 looks like a steal.

However, you can't discount Dallas' depth scoring. Conn Smythe hopeful Wyatt Johnston has eight goals through the playoffs and the Stars have gotten goals from third-liner Benn and second-liner Joe Pavelski in recent games. There have also been clutch goals like the one Matt Duchene scored in double-overtime to knock the Colorado Avalanche out of the playoffs. Knowing that Dallas doesn't necessarily need their top line on the ice to score makes it seem more likely the Stars will strike first.

You also have to keep goaltending in mind when trying to figure out which team to bet on to score first. The Oilers' netminders will have fresher legs since they just played on Monday, but it's hard to bet against Jake Oettinger right now. The Stars starter is in a three-way tie for the most wins through the playoffs (8) and enters Game 1 with a .918 save percentage and 2.09 goals-against average. That bests Stuart Skinner, who has played three fewer games than Oettinger but enters the series with a 2.87 goals-against average and .881 save percentage.

Keeping that in mind, it seems more likely the Oilers have a stronger chance of giving up the first goal on Thursday. 

There are plenty of prop bets you can place on the Western Conference Final, which promises to be a thrilling one between the Stars and the Oilers. But who will you choose when it comes to who will light the lamp first? 

There is no denying the Oilers are the fresher team since they just played a couple of days ago. However, given the Stars' scoring depth and superior goaltending, Dallas does indeed look like the better bet to light the lamp first.