Edmonton Oilers vs. Anaheim Ducks Game 3 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
The Ducks and Oilers are locked at one win apiece as their first-round playoff series shifts to Anaheim for Game 3 on Friday night.
Anaheim didn’t show any sign of being intimidated in Game 2. The Ducks rallied after giving up the game’s first goal and eventually pulled away late in the third period to win 6-4 and tie this series 1-1.
Can Edmonton steal one back on the road in Game 3, or will Anaheim fly to a 2-1 series lead?
The Oilers are -135 favourites to win Game 3 on the NHL odds, with the total set at 7.0.
Oilers vs. Ducks NHL Betting Odds
Perhaps we should have seen that Ducks win coming on Wednesday as the franchise has won Game 2 in each of their previous three series’ when losing the first game on the road. You can be forgiven, however, if this didn’t cross your mind given Anaheim is in the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Keep in mind, there’s no panic if you’re an Edmonton fan. The Oilers have gone to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals and neither of those years started great in Round 1. Last year, Edmonton dropped both opening games of the first round to L.A. and they split the first two games against the Kings the year prior.
Oddsmakers also remain on the Oilers’ side. Edmonton is a -190 favourite to win the series on the NHL futures board, with the Ducks listed as +155 underdogs. The favoured exact series result is the Oilers winning in six games (+290). The biggest long shot is Anaheim winning the next three games (+1100).
Personally, I like the series to end in seven games at +150. While Edmonton has the veteran experience, I see the Ducks as having the advantage in net and their young guns are contributing. At this point I could see either team winning, so give me the series to go the distance.
Edmonton Oilers
Leon Draisaitl continued to produce in Game 2, posting a goal and an assist. Connor Murphy, Joshua Samanski and Zach Hyman also found the back of the net, but it’s who didn’t make it to the scoresheet that is concerning.
For the second straight game, captain Connor McDavid was held pointless. There was a scare in the second period when McDavid briefly left after appearing to injury his right leg, although he returned a few minutes later. Whatever Anaheim is doing to contain the superstar is clearly working and Edmonton will be in major trouble if McDavid doesn’t find his game.
While the Oilers dodged a bullet on McDavid’s status, they are still dealing with a few other injuries. Jason Dickinson, who had two goals in Game 1, and veteran Adam Henrique both missed Game 2 and their status on Friday isn’t known.
Anaheim Ducks
A trio of players had three-point performances for the Ducks in Game 2. Alex Killorn (1G, 2A), Cutter Gauthier (2G, 1A) and Jackson LaCombe (3A) all had big nights. Ryan Poehling also scored twice (one short-handed), while Jacob Trouba had his first playoff goal for Anaheim.
The Ducks’ success in Game 2 and this series has come by winning the special teams battle. Anaheim capitalized on two of three power play opportunities in Game 2 and killed off all four penalties they took. For the series, they are 3-for-5 on the power play and 6-for-6 on the penalty kill.
The injury bug has also found its way into the Ducks’ lineup, with captain Radko Gudas missing Game 2. Gudas reportedly reaggravated the lower-body injury that kept him out of eight of Anaheim’s last 10 regular season games. While he’s not a major offensive contributor, missing Gudas is a huge loss as he is physically intimidating on the ice and he provides crucial veteran leadership as captain of the team.
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