The Vancouver Canucks (48-22-9) take on the Edmonton Oilers (48-24-6) Saturday at Rogers Place. Puck drop is set for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Canucks vs. Oilers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Canucks fell 4-3 in overtime to the Arizona Coyotes Wednesday. They have traded wins and losses in the last 7 games. C Elias Pettersson netted his 34th goal of the season against Arizona. They still retain a 3-point advantage over the Oilers for the top spot in the Pacific Division.
Edmonton also fell to the Coyotes in a 3-2 overtime setback Friday night. They’ve won 6 of 9 and have points in 8 of them. They’ve been running without superstar C Connor McDavid, who has been out all week with a lower-body injury. He’s still considered day-to-day.
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Canucks at Oilers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Canucks +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Oilers -135 (bet $135 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Canucks +1.5 (-225) | Oilers -1.5 (+180)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)
Canucks at Oilers projected goalies
Casey DeSmith (11-9-6, 2.96 GAA, .891 SV%, 2 SO) vs. Stuart Skinner (35-14-5, 2.59 GAA, .907 SV%, 2 SO)
DeSmith has been victimized by 2 playoff teams this month, allowing 6 goals in each. The LA Kings got him for 6 on 29 shots, and the Vegas Golden Knights plugged him for 6 on 30 shots. The Canucks are trying to scrape by with starter Thatcher Demko (knee) on LTIR. DeSmith beat Edmonton 4-3, stopping 37 of 40 shots way back on Oct. 14.
Skinner was solid in a 5-1 win against the Golden Knights Wednesday. He didn’t have to do much as he stopped 17 of 18 shots. In 3 games, 2 starts, Skinner is 0-2-0 with a 5.60 GAA and .794 SV% against Vancouver this season. He allowed 14 goals on 68 shots.
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Canucks at Oilers picks and predictions
Prediction
Oilers 6, Canucks 4
Moneyline
Obviously, the status of McDavid has a big hold over the pendulum in this matchup. If he can go, he will go for this one. Otherwise, don’t expect to see him until the playoffs. The Canucks have beaten the Oilers all 3 times by a combined score of 18-6. Those 3 meetings were before the team fired coach Jay Woodcroft and turned its season around, though.
Take the OILERS -135.
Puck line/Against the spread
I’m projecting a multi-goal win here, but I won’t make that leap until we get clarity on McDavid’s status.
Hold off until then.
Over/Under
Each team is 4-5-1 O/U over the last 10. All 3 matchups this season had 7+ goals, though. With the struggles between the pipes, I’m picking that option again.
Take the OVER 6.5 (+100).
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