The set-up: The 27-31-10 Dallas Stars sit 12th out of 14 teams in the West, 13 points out of the final wild card spot. Dallas is not yet officially eliminated from the playoffs but for all intents and purposes, the Stars are preparing for the off-season. All this, after Dallas led the West with 109 points last season! In stark contrast, the 35-24-9 Edmonton Oilers still own the first wild card spot in the West, looking to secure their first playoff berth since they went to the Stanley Cup finals in 2005-06

Dallas: The Stars have fallen apart this season due to a defense which has allowed 221 goals in 68 games (3.25 per), the second-worst defensive record of any NHL team. "It's embarrassing, it's hard to put into words," captain Jamie Benn said after Sunday's 5-1 loss at San Jose. "If you're going to play like that and have those numbers, you're not going to get too far." The Stars' present isn't as bright as they own the league's worst penalty kill (74.1 percent) and save percentage (.894). Dallas also has surrendered a league-high 11 short-handed goals.

Edmonton: The Oilers have seen their high-octane offense sputter of late, so the sieve-like Dallas defense should be a welcome sight. This game with Dallas marks the fifth of an eight-game homestand for the Oilers, one which the team hasn't taken advantage of so far, at 1-2-1. The NHL's leading scorer Connor McDavid (23 goals, 52 assists and 75 points), has been held pointless in two of the Oilers' previous three games, but that shouldn't last long, as Dallas could be just what the doctor ordered.

The pick: Dallas allows a whopping 3.62 GPG away from home (9-19-4) and why not play the Oilers in this one? Edmonton is a 10* play.