Montreal Canadiens vs. Edmonton Oilers Prediction, NHL Odds
Montreal is rolling into Edmonton looking for their first win of the season, but they’re up against an Oilers team that is coming off an offensive explosion from their top players.
In the first of a two-game series, the Oilers opened as -145 favourites on the NHL odds with a total of 6.5 goals.
Canadiens vs. Oilers 1/16/21 Betting Analysis
These teams will get a better look at each other than they have ever had before, as they’re set to face off nine times in the regular season. The Oilers won both of last season’s meetings (4-3 in Edmonton and 4-2 in Montreal), with Leon Draisaitl picking up a goal and three assists over the two games and Connor McDavid notching two goals and one assist.
Montreal has struggled against Edmonton in the recent past, only coming away with one win in the last five games between these teams, with the Habs winless in Edmonton since March 2017.
It shouldn’t be too surprising that on an Oilers team with offensive weapons like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the total is set to a higher mark of 6.5 goals. Edmonton has hit the over in six of their last seven games overall and four of their last six games against Montreal. The Oilers have hit the over in their last five home games, including both games, this season.
Montreal Canadiens
Despite Josh Anderson scoring twice in his Canadiens debut on Wednesday, it wasn’t enough to help the Habs earn two points in the season opener against the Leafs, as Montreal fell 5-4 to Toronto in overtime. Anderson, who missed most of last year with a shoulder injury, was acquired from the Columbus Blues Jackets in the off-season trade that saw Max Domi shipped out of Montreal. Nick Suzuki, who led all Montreal players with seven points in 10 NHL bubble games last year, opened the scoring for the Canadiens on Wednesday, with Tomas Tatar also picking up a goal. Carey Price made 29 saves on 34 shots and the Montreal power play scored twice on three opportunities.
Edmonton Oilers
After a lackluster opening night loss to the Canucks, the Oilers big guns were firing on all cylinders in their 5-2 win over Vancouver on Thursday. Connor McDavid scored his seventh career hat trick, finishing with four points, while reigning Art Ross winner Leon Draisaitl had four assists and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins had two goals and an assist. Mikko Koskinen looked sharp in goal for Edmonton and made 38 saves in the win, despite playing back-to-back nights, after Mike Smith was a last minute scratch for undisclosed reasons. The Oilers scored on two of their four power plays and managed to kill all five penalties they took in the game.
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