Rogers Place will play host to a divisional showdown as the Edmonton Oilers take the ice against the visiting Vancouver Canucks. The matchup gets underway at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 20, and fans at home can see the game live on CBC Sports.
Vancouver Canucks at Edmonton Oilers Odds
Edmonton (-175) is currently favored over Vancouver (+155), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-120 money on the under, +100 on the over).
Losing 11.3 units for moneyline bettors, Edmonton is 20-26 straight up (SU) overall this year. That early-season winning percentage is a big slide from what the team recorded during last year’s regular season (47-35). 24 of its 46 contests have gone under the total, while 21 have gone over and just one has pushed. The team is 9-13 SU at home this year.
The Oilers have converted on just 15.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s ranked 28th overall in the NHL. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 72.8 percent of all penalties.
The Oilers, as a collective unit, have been penalized 3.8 times per game overall this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five games at home. The team has had to defend opposition power plays for just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 26.0 saves per game with a .902 save percentage, Cam Talbot (17 wins, 19 losses, and two OT losses) has been the best goalkeeper for the Oilers this season. If the Oilers decide to give him a breather, however, the team might go with Laurent Brossoit (3-10-10 record, .886 save percentage, 3.22 goals against average).
The Oilers will continue to look for leadership from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. McDavid (52 points) has put up 15 goals and 37 assists and has recorded two or more points 13 times this year. Draisaitl has 11 goals and 25 assists to his name and has notched at least one point in 24 games.
On the other side of the ice, Vancouver is 18-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 3.3 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 25 of its matches have gone over the total, while 20 have gone under and none have pushed. As a road team, the Canucks are 11-12 SU so far.
The Canucks have scored on 21.5 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 28th overall and it’s successfully killed off 77.1 percent of all penalties.
Vancouver’s skaters have been penalized 3.8 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 7.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom (26.2 saves per game) has been the primary option in the net for Vancouver. Markstrom has 12 wins, 21 losses, and five overtime losses to his credit, and has registered a .909 save percentage and 2.72 goals against average this year.
Leading the offensive attack for the visiting Canucks will be Brock Boeser (22 goals, 18 assists) and Thomas Vanek (13 goals, 19 assists).
Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Oilers, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Vancouver is 0-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Edmonton is 1-1 in shootouts.
The under has hit in three of Edmonton’s last five outings.
Six of Vancouver’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 2-4 in those games.
The Oilers this season have handed the second-most hits per game (26.4).
