NHL Odds: Three reasons why the Edmonton Oilers will win the 2024 Stanley Cup

The Edmonton Oilers are the last Canadian team standing as they look to bring the Stanley Cup back north of the border for the first time since 1993. Here’s three reasons why the Edmonton Oilers will win the 2024 Stanley Cup.

Dangerous duo

Edmonton has two superstars who could each be considered the best player on the planet on any given night and of course I’m talking about Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who sit first and second in playoff scoring.

McDavid leads the playoffs with 31 points (5G, 26A) in 18 games, becoming the sixth player in NHL history to have multiple playoff years with at least 30 points (he had 33 in 2022). The series-clinching Game 6 against the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Final is a perfect example of McDavid’s game-changing ability. He scored a highlight reel goal to open the scoring before setting up Zach Hyman for the eventual game (and series) winner.

Draisaitl, who is second in playoff scoring with 28 points (10G, 18A), is the only player who can rival McDavid’s dominance. He leads the playoffs with six power play goals and he’s a scoring threat anywhere on the ice. Draisaitl’s 41 goals in 67 career playoff games is the best goals-per-game average of all NHL players since 2000 and his 1.57 career points-per-game in the playoffs ranks fourth all-time.

Special teams

Florida was the second-most penalized team in the regular season and they’ve racked up the most penalty minutes in the playoffs. That’s a recipe for disaster against the Oilers as their power play isn’t just the most efficient unit in the NHL, it’s one of the most efficient units in NHL history.

Edmonton is clicking at a ridiculous 37.3 per cent (19-for-51) success rate on the man advantage in the playoffs. After a cold start in the Western Conference Final, the Oilers scored on four of five power plays over the final two games of the series.

Edmonton also has the best penalty kill in the playoffs, which operates at a 93.9 per cent (3-for-49) success rate. The Oilers were a perfect 14-for-14 last series against Dallas and they’ve killed off 28 straight penalties since allowing two power play goals in Game 3 of the second round against the Vancouver Canucks.

Scoring first

It’s pretty simple, but scoring first really is key to winning in the playoffs and it’s something the Oilers have managed to do. Edmonton has scored first in 10 of their 12 playoff wins (most in the NHL), which accounts for 83 per cent of their wins. The Oilers are 10-4 (71 per cent) when scoring first this postseason compared to 2-2 when allowing the first goal.

If you’re looking for a simple prop that will pay off quick, consider taking Edmonton to score first in Game 1 at -105. The Oilers have scored first in 14 of 18 playoff games, which is a 78 per cent rate.