Carolina Hurricanes vs. Edmonton Oilers: NHL Odds, Prediction

After registering 103 points and making a deep playoff run last season, the Edmonton Oilers entered the season dealing with extremely high expectations. That’s why their 1-3-0 has been so disappointing. They’ll try to get back on track as a solid  home favorite on the NHL odds board versus the Carolina Hurricanes, who are 1-1-1.

Carolina Hurricanes vs. Edmonton Oilers

 

Date: Tuesday, October 17^th, 2017 – 9:00 PM ET

Location: Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta

NHL Odds: Oilers -155

NHL Odds and Betting Analysis

The Oilers and Hurricanes have split their last 10 meetings going head-to-head, with five games going over the posted total, along with a push. The last three meetings have gone under the posted total and all have been decided by a single goal. Out of these 10 meetings, eight of them have had a total set at 5.5.

Carolina Hurricanes

 The Hurricanes won their opener at home against Minnesota in a shootout but have since lost to Columbus at home in overtime and then again in Winnipeg in regulation. The game against the Jets was the first of a four-game road trip for the Hurricanes, who have scored just eight goals to kick off the season. Jeff Skinner has two goals to lead the way.  The Hurricanes just need to find the back of the net more often as the effort has been there. They have outshot their opponents in all three games.

In goal, Scott Darling has below average numbers with a 2.58 GAA and a .893 save percentage and he’ll have to do better in this spot.

 Edmonton Oilers

 The Oilers also won their opener, which was at home against their rivals from Calgary, but it’s been all downhill since. They have lost three in a row, on the road in Vancouver and then at home to Winnipeg and Ottawa. A defense that looked impressive against the Flames has now given up 14 goals in three games while the Oilers have scored just five. Connor McDavid netted a hat trick in the season opener against the Flames, but he hasn’t scored again. Milan Lucic doesn’t have a goal over the first four games and Cam Talbot hasn’t been that good with a 3.96 GAA and a save percentage of .880. This looks like a young team that is buckling under the pressure of these high expectations as there are only four teams younger than the Oilers by average age: Columbus, Colorado, Arizona and Carolina.

But this is a spot where we’ll really find out about the Oilers. Carolina is a very average team themselves that’s on the road in this spot. Darling, their goaltender, hasn’t been spectacular. If Edmonton struggles tonight, it could be a sign of things to come for them this season. What’s more likely to happen is that the Oilers use this as a get-well type of game and get back on track. Bettors should be a little nervous laying this type of juice with a struggling Oilers side but this seems like a manageable task for this young squad.

 Carolina Hurricanes vs. Edmonton Oilers prediction:

Oilers 5-3