Boston Bruins vs. Edmonton Oilers Prediction, NHL Odds
The Boston Bruins visit the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday night in some New Year’s Eve action in Alberta. The Bruins have dropped six straight, with the losing skid beginning against the Oilers back on December 18. Edmonton’s ascended to the top of the Pacific Division with wins in five of their last seven outings.
Wednesday’s the third of five straight road outings for the struggling Bruins. Boston’s last road victory came via a 6-3 win at Winnipeg on December 11, which marked the first team the Bruins scored six goals this season. Boston’s scored two or fewer goals in four straight games. Edmonton’s coming in have allowed eight goals total over their last four outings.
Puck drop at Rogers Place goes at 9:30 p.m. EST with the Oilers a -200 moneyline favourite and the over-under at six on the NHL odds.
Bruins vs. Oilers NHL Betting Odds
Boston’s six-game losing streak isn’t going to get any easier to snap when they visit Edmonton. The Bruins are 1-5 in their last six meetings with the Oilers, and 1-13 in their last 14 games against an opponent in the Pacific Division. Edmonton’s 4-1 in their last five contests against Eastern Conference opponents.
Six of the last seven Bruins–Oilers games played in Edmonton have finished under the total. Edmonton is 10-3-3 on home ice this season, last losing in regulation at home on December 2. The over is 11-5 in Edmonton’s home games this season, but the Bruins are struggling to even register anything more than two goals these days; so if you like the over six, you’re likely looking at an Oilers onslaught to get there.
Boston Bruins
The Bruins got a point for an overtime loss at Calgary on Monday, which is technically progress. A six-game skid has dropped Boston from 20-14 to barely above .500 at 20-18-2, and raising a lot of questions about whether this roster should buy or sell in the new year. The early-season scoring has dried out, as three Bruins are at 10 or more goals and only two skaters are above 26 points (in 40 games played). Leading scorer Morgan Geekie has even gone quiet, scoring five goals in December and none in his last four showings.
Goaltending hasn’t bailed the lack of offence out either, as starter Jeremy Swayman has an .874 save percentage this month. Expect Swayman to start at Edmonton on Wednesday.
Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid extended his point streak to 13 games during Edmonton’s 3-1 win over Winnipeg on Monday, although it took an empty net for McDavid to record an assist on the final goal. Regardless, McDavid continues to lead the NHL with 69 points and has 13 goals and 20 assists over the 13-game streak. Edmonton instead got help from unlikely heroes on Monday, as backup goalie Calvin Pickard turned away 41 of 42 shots faced and Max Jones opened the game’s scoring with his first of the campaign.
The duo of Pickard and Connor Ingram in the Oilers’ net has been solid — Ingram is 2-1 with a .915 save percentage in three recent appearances while Pickard’s boosted his save percentage to .913 in the month of December. And this may be what’s mainly resulting in the Oilers’ surge.
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