Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Edmonton Oilers Prediction, NHL Odds
The Oilers are coming off a 4-3 victory over Washington, which marks just their third win in nine contests. The Lightning travel to Edmonton after dropping a 4-1 decision in Calgary, and will be aiming to snap their first two-game slide of 2022.
The Oilers recent struggles are reflected in the game line odds, where they have dipped to lengthy +141 underdogs. Backed by 69% of sports bettors, the Lightning have soared to -169 favourites since opening at -140. The total has also climbed to 6.5 since opening at 6.0. But while the OVER has been the choice of 86% of sports bettors, it is the UNDER that holds the edge with -115 odds.
Lightning vs. Oilers NHL Betting Odds
Saturday night’s matchup at Rogers Place marks the second and final regular season meeting between these teams, and the Lightning’s first visit to Edmonton since December 2018. Tampa Bay’s 5-3 victory on February 23 extended their current win streak versus the Oilers to five games. Overall, the Lightning have won nine of 11 clashes since 2014. The Oilers have won in two of three home dates with the Bolts. However, Edmonton shooters have struggled in recent dates with Tampa, averaging just two goals per game over their past five clashes, and scoring two or fewer goals in four of seven head-to-head matchups. Despite the Oilers’ scoring woes, the OVER has paid out in four of six dates with Tampa Bay, including each of their past two home meetings.
The usually stingy Lightning have failed to contain opposing shooters so far on their six-game road trip. The Bolts have surrendered 11 total goals during their 0-2-0 run, and 4.67 goals per game over the first three dates on their current junket. However, Tampa Bay remains one of the NHL’s top road teams this season, sporting an 18-9-2 record. The Lightning have also avoided losing three straight on the road in in 48 contests since April 2021. The Oilers have averaged just 2.17 goals per game over their past six outings, and have surrendered five goals over their past three home dates.
Tampa Bay Lightning
The previously red-hot top line of Nikita Kucherov, Braydon Point, and Ondrej Palat has been silent during the club’s two-game slide, contributing just one total assist.
Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy has also struggled. The reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner has given up four goals per game while losing three of his past four starts, and has compiled an uncharacteristically weak .876 save percentage over that stretch.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers will need more production out of the superstar duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl if they want to return to the Western Conference playoff picture. McDavid tallied the game winner and added an assist in Wednesday’s overtime win over the Capitals, but has failed to score in consecutive outings in almost four weeks. Draisiatl has tallied just one point over the past three games, and has scored just three times over his past eight home appearances.
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