Canucks vs. Oilers Game 3 Prediction: Stanley Cup Playoff Odds
Evan Bouchard played the hero in Game 2, scoring the overtime winner just under six minutes into the extra frame to give the Oilers a 4-3 win and even the series 1-1. Has Edmonton finally figured out the Canucks, or will Vancouver strike back in Game 3 on Sunday night?
The Oilers opened as -210 favourites to win on the NHL odds, with the total set at 6.5.
Canucks vs. Oilers NHL Betting Odds
It was a much needed victory for Edmonton in Game 2 as it was their first win against Vancouver this season. The Canucks won the previous five meetings between the teams, outscoring the Oilers 26-11 in the process. High scoring has been key to this head-to-head series, with the teams combining for seven or more goals in five of six matchups.
The series line is roughly where it started prior to Game 1, with Edmonton currently sitting as a -300 favourite to win and Vancouver at +240. The favoured exact series result is an Oilers win in six games at +240, while the biggest long shot is a Canucks win in five games at +100.
At +400, Edmonton has the third-shortest Stanley Cup odds on the NHL futures board and they are +175 to win the Western Conference. Vancouver is +200 to win the Cup and they have the longest odds to win the West at +750.
Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver led 3-2 after two periods in Game 2, but they couldn’t hold the lead after being heavily outshot 15-2 in the third. Elias Pettersson opened the scoring in the game with his first goal of the playoffs, while Brock Boeser added his team-high fifth snipe and Nikita Zadorov scored for the second straight game. J.T. Miller added two assists and now leads the team with nine points (2G, 7A). It was a big goal from Pettersson, who had just three points in seven games entering Friday. It’s crucial the Swede gets going as he is a major part of the offence after posting 89 points (34G, 55A) in 82 regular season games.
Rookie Arturs Silovs stopped 27 of 31 shots faced in Game 2 and will continue to start in the absence of injured No. 1 netminder Thatcher Demko, who will remain out of the lineup at least until Game 6 or 7. The 23-year-old Silovs has been solid in net, posting a 2.58 goals-against average and .899 save percentage in five playoff games. If he falters, Vancouver could also turn to regular backup Casey DeSmith, who had a 2.02 GAA and .911 SV in two games before suffering an undisclosed injury.
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton desperately needed a win in Game 2 and it was the superstar duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl who delivered. McDavid and Draisaitl each had a goal and three assists and Mattias Ekholm scored for a second consecutive game before Bouchard’s OT winner. Stuart Skinner stopped 16 of 19 shots faced. Skinner, who has a 2.96 GAA and .888 SV in seven playoff games, hasn’t been spectacular, but he’s done enough to give the Oilers a chance to win. However, you have to think at some point he’ll need to steal a win for Edmonton to go on a long playoff run.
The big question entering Game 2 was the status of Draisaitl, who was listed as a game-time decision. Draisaitl missed parts of the second period in Game 1 with what was described as cramping and equipment issues, but after he didn’t practice on Thursday it came out that he is also dealing with an undisclosed injury. He’s obviously an integral part of the team, so him being slowed down by an injury could be significant. Draisaitl has a point in all seven playoff games and his 16 total points (6G, 10A) is second only to McDavid’s 17 points (2G, 15A) among all players this postseason.
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