The Edmonton Oilers (28-13-3) take on the Colorado Avalanche (27-17-1) Thursday. Puck drop from Ball Arena is set for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Oilers vs. Avalancheodds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Oilers lead 1-0
The Oilers come to town fresh off a 5-3 victory as -210 favorites at the Minnesota Wild Wednesday night with the Over (6) hitting late in the second period with the game tied 3-all. The Wild got off to a 2-0 start, but the Oilers had a counter every time they got down. That was to put C Connor McDavid (2 goals, 1 assist), C/RW Leon Draisaitl (1 assist) and LW Zach Hyman (1 goal) together on the ice. They did it fresh after a penalty kill and fresh after a Wild goal, and the Oilers eventually overwhelmed the home team. McDavid’s 2 goals gives him 19 on the season.
The Avalanche beat the New York Rangers 3-2 in overtime Tuesday, covering as -147 home favorites with the Under (6) cashing. D Devon Toews put his sixth of the season in the back of the net to win it. The Avs are 7-2-1 in the last 10, but that’s a little deceiving because they’re 3-2-1 in the last 6.
These teams met in Colorado Nov. 30 with Edmonton prevailing 4-1 as +112 underdogs and the Under (6.5) cashing.
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Oilers at Avalanche odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:38 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Oilers +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Avalanche -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Oilers +1.5 (-250) | Avalanche -1.5 (+200)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Oilers at Avalanche projected goalies
Stuart Skinner (17-9-3, 2.68 GAA, .902 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Mackenzie Blackwood (15-11-2, 2.49 GAA, .920 SV%, 1 SO)
Which Skinner are we going to get? The one that shut out the LA Kings, stopping all 30 shots Monday or the one Pittsburgh punked for 5 goals last Thursday? He was between the pipes in the earlier meeting against the Avs and stopped 27 of 28.
It can’t be overstated how much Blackwood has stabilized this team on the back end. He’s 4-1-1 with a 1.49 GAA and .941 SV% in 5 starts this month. He has allowed 19 goals in 12 games since being rescued from San Jose. He beat Edmonton with the Sharks last season, stopping 39 of 41.
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Oilers at Avalanche picks and predictions
Prediction
Avalanche 3, Oilers 2
Moneyline
This is going to be the game of the night, and honestly, these teams are so close right now. I watched the Edmonton-Minnesota game Wednesday, and the Oilers didn’t get rattled one bit being down 2-0 in the first. The amount of swag they’re skating with matters. McDavid slyly threw an elbow out like he was straight from a Ludacris music video and caught a Wild player in the face as he skated by. No call.
But Blackwood is steadier than Skinner, and Edmonton is on a back-to-back on the road. So, I give the AVALANCHE (-120) the advantage.
Puck line/Against the spread
I’m going with NATHAN MACKINNON OVER 3.5 SHOTS (-115). He really hasn’t been as aggressive offensively this season. However, he does have 4+ shots in 2 of 3 games. What tilts it for me, though, is him and McDavid are friends off the ice, and they really compete against one another. Mac took 7 shots in the first meeting earlier this season.
Over/Under
The Oilers are 5-5 O/U in their last 10, and the Avs are 4-6. I’m a little surprised that this total is at 6.5. Only 1 of the last 5 meetings would cash an Over at that total.
We’re going UNDER 6.5 (-110).
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