The Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers meet Tuesday in NHL action at Rogers Place. Here’s an Oilers vs Canucks Prediction. This article will include an Oilers vs Canucks Pick.
Vancouver Canucks Betting Preview
The Canucks had just 58 points last season and have made the playoffs just twice since the 2015-16 season. The Canucks begin the Manny Malhotra era as he’s a coach for the first time.
The Canucks moved Marcus Pettersson and Nils Hoglander for draft capital, while they bring in Brendan Gallagher, Paul Cotter, and Jamie Oleksiak on short deals. They invested in young defender Zeev Buium and recently claimed Leevi Merilainen off waivers. This feels like a development year for the Canucks so there’s no real expectation with this group. Zeev Buium is the future of the franchise, and bounce-back seasons from Elias Pettersson and Brock Boeser would go a long way. Still, with a new coach and a roster that lacks above-average talent depth, this will likely be another season of no postseason hockey.
Edmonton Oilers Betting Preview
The Oilers have made the playoffs in each of the last seven seasons and begin the Mike Babcock era. There’s pressure on the Oilers to make a deep playoff run and possibly even lift the cup.
The Oilers were busy this offseason as they sent Darnell Nurse to San Jose, and they have a new goalie room in Frederik Andersen and Devon Levi. The Oilers added depth pieces in Ryan Shea and Mathieu Joseph. The Oilers are still led by a generational duo in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and those guys will lead the way. However, this season the Oilers have better cap flexibility and possibly defensive structure with the coaching change. There are still goalie questions, and that second line needs to produce. Still, McDavid will turn 30 in a few months, and he’s itchy to hoist the cup. The clock is ticking in Edmonton as trade rumors seem to pick up every time this franchise falls short.
Why the Edmonton Oilers will win
- The Oilers have won each of their last five home games against the Canucks.
- The Canucks have lost four of their last five road openers.
- The Oilers have covered the puck line in each of their last four home games against the Canucks.
- The Canucks have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last nine road games against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Canucks have lost the third period in eight of their last nine road games when trailing after the second period.
Why the Vancouver Canucks will win
- The Oilers have lost four of their last five games as favorites.
- The Canucks have won three of their last four games as underdogs.
- The Oilers have failed to cover the puck line in seven of their last eight season openers.
- The Canucks have covered the puck line in seven of their last eight season openers as underdogs.
- The Canucks have won the third period in five of their last six games against the Oilers when tied after the second period.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Canucks’ last four season openers have gone OVER the total goals line.
- Three of the Oilers’ last four season openers have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in each of the Oilers’ last nine games as favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- The ‘Over 2.5 Goals Period 1′ market has hit in five of the Canucks’ last six road games.
Edmonton Oilers Player Prop Facts
- Leon Draisaitl has scored at least one goal in each of his last five appearances against the Canucks.
- Connor McDavid has recorded at least one assist in each of his last six appearances against the Canucks.
- Connor McDavid ranked 1st in the league for Points (138) last season.
Vancouver Canucks Player Prop Facts
- Jake DeBrusk has scored at least one goal in three of the Canucks’ last four games.
- Filip Hronek has recorded an assist in three of the Canucks’ last four games.
- Jake DeBrusk ranked T3rd in the league for Power Play Goals (19) last season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Edmonton Oilers ranked 1st in the league in power play percentage last season (30.63%).
- The Edmonton Oilers ranked 6th in the league for goals per game last season (3.44).
- The Vancouver Canucks ranked 32nd in the league for goals against per game last season (3.83).
- The Vancouver Canucks ranked 32nd in the league in penalty kill percentage last season (71.49%).
Oilers vs Canucks Injury Report
The Canucks will be without Mackenzie MacEachern, Thatcher Demko, and Filip Chytil.
The Oilers will be without Mattias Janmark, Alec Regula, Frederik Andersen, Matt Savoie, and Jason Dickinson.
Oilers vs Canucks Prediction
You don’t want to make a habit of laying these insane prices this early in the season because the truth is we’re still feeling these teams out. With that said, the Canucks are likely going to be one of the worst teams in the league, as they’re in a development year with a young roster and new coaching staff. The Oilers are a veteran group that’s in the contender category.
Even though it’s the first game, it’s key that the Oilers take advantage of soft spots like this and stack points to help get to where they’re trying to go. The Oilers have won seven of the last nine games against the Canucks and have outscored them 12-1 in the last two meetings. This shouldn’t be close. Give me the Oilers and the PL for max betting value.