The set-up: The Oilers were one of last year's biggest surprises (103 points) and because of that performance, were expected to be one of the West's best teams this season. That has not been the case. The calendar has recently turned to 2018 and most teams are at right about the mid-point of their seasons, Edmonton sits 18-20-3, nine points out of the final wild card spot in the West. The Oilers will be in Dallas tonight to take on the 23-16-3 Stars, as they kick off a stretch of five straight on the road. The Stars welcome the Oilers to American Airlnes Center, having earned points in seven of their last nine games (5-2-2), after recording a 4-3 home victory over New Jersey on Thursday. Dallas is currently fourth in the the Central Division but holds down the top wild card spot in the West with 49 points (10 more than the Oilers' 39 points).

Edmonton: The Oilers are hoping that their 2-1 shootout victory at home over Anaheim on Thursday will be a spark and a turning point for their disappointing season. Connor McDavid, notched his first point in four games on Thursday (assist) but has a team-leading 46 points overall (goals). Leon Draisaitl (32 points) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (29) both have been kept off the scoresheet for three straight games while Milan Lucic snapped a four-game drought against Anaheim. The Oilers added goaltending depth on Thursday, acquiring Al Montoya from Montreal for a conditional fourth-round pick in the 2018 draft. Montoya hasn't played since early November due to a concussion but will meet the team in Dallas. No. 1 goalie Cam Talbot (has been a disappointment (15-13-2, 3.00 GAA & .905 SP), while backup Brossoit has been unacceptable (3-7-1, 3.22 GAA & .886 SP).

Dallas: Speaking of goaltending, head coach Ken Hitchcock said Friday that Ben Bishop (18-1-2, 2.55 GAA & .915 SP) will start in goal again on Saturday, Bishop's 10th consecutive start (he's allowed 13 goals in his last seven contests). "Ben's played awful well, so we're just going to run with it until it looks like he's tired or we need a break," Hitchcock said. "Because we had this big break coming up, it's going to give him a chance to take a rest too. We're going to need every point we can get our hands on, so as long as he keeps playing well and has great energy, stays healthy, then he's going to get the majority of the games if he plays at this level." Dallas is getting plenty of production from its top players as captain Jamie Benn has notched nine of his team-leading 38 points over his last eight games while Tyler Seguin (37 points) has scored six of his club-high 20 goals in his last seven contests. Defenseman John Klingberg has recorded five of his 36 points in his last four games while Alexander Radulov has collected three goals and three assists in the same span to push his total to 35 points. Mattias Janmark is one of six members of the Stars to reach 20 points (21) after tallying three times and setting up a pair of goals over his last five contests.

The pick: Edmonton has posted a winning record on the road this season (9-8-2) but the Stars come in playing well and are 15-5-1 on home ice this season, averaging 3.48 GPG. Make Dallas an 8* play.