Edmonton Oilers vs. Montreal Canadiens Prediction, NHL Odds
While at one point it looked like these teams would meet in the playoffs, we now know Edmonton will face Winnipeg in the first round and Montreal will take on Toronto. Still, this has been a fairly close season series and should prove to be a good tuneup for both teams as they get ready for the postseason.
The Oilers are a -121 road favourite to win on the NHL odds with a total of 6.0.
Oilers vs. Canadiens Betting Analysis
Despite squeaking into the playoffs, Montreal has actually already clinched this season series with a 5-3 edge in wins. It’s been a tight series though, as these teams have one OT win and one shutout win each. After each of the first six games between these teams went Under the total, the Over has hit in the last two games, including a 4-3 OT win for Edmonton on Monday.
The Oilers have hit another level as they gear up for what they hope is a long playoff run. Edmonton comes into Wednesday 5-1 straight up in their last six games overall and 6-0 SU in their last six road games. For the season they’re 29-26 against the spread and they’ve covered in five straight road games. Edmonton has hit the Over in four of their last five games.
Montreal seems to be faltering at the wrong time, as they’ve gone 1-4 SU over their last five games. They haven’t been a great cover option this season, going 23-32 ATS and failing to cover in 18 of 27 home games. The total has gone Under in six of the Habs’ last eight games at the Bell Centre.
Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid’s 102nd point of the season was the OT winner for Edmonton against the Habs on Monday. The Oilers captain is doing something virtually no one thought was possible before the season. McDavid’s 33 goals is second only to Toronto’s Auston Matthews and the Edmonton superstar has put up 21 more points than the next closest player in the league, his linemate Leon Draisaitl. Also adding an assist earlier in the game, it was McDavid’s sixth straight multipoint game, while Draisaitl has put up 14 points (6G, 8A) over the same amount of time. Both players are expected to play on Wednesday, but bettors should be careful, as McDavid and Draisaitl will likely both be in reduced roles leading up to the playoffs.
Mikko Koskinen made 25 saves in Monday’s win. Officially relegated to Edmonton’s No. 2 goalie, the Oilers could elect to start him again on Tuesday and rest Mike Smith for the playoffs. Koskinen has struggled this season and posted a 13-12-0 record with a 3.14 goals-against average and .899 save percentage. Smith has been the much better goalie. The veteran netminder is 20-6-2 with a 2.28 GAA and .924 SV.
Montreal Canadiens
It might officially go down as a loss, but Montreal likely feels like they picked up a W in the game on Monday, as the one point they picked up in OT was enough to clinch the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division. Artturi Lehkonen’s third period goal tied the game late for the Canadiens, while Jake Evans and Paul Byron found the back of the net earlier in the game. Jake Allen made 31 saves in the loss. With Carey Price still dealing with concussion issues and Cayden Primeau allowing 10 goals over his three starts this year, Allen should get the nod again on Wednesday. Allen is 11-12-5 on the season with a 2.68 GAA and .907 SV.
Injury issues are likely a big factor in why the Habs have dropped four straight games and six of their last 10. Along with No. 1 goalie Price, Montreal was missing captain Shea Weber, Phillip Danault, Brendan Gallagher and Jonathan Drouin on Monday. All of them are also expected to miss Wednesday’s game.
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