The Vegas Golden Knights have a comfortable five-point lead on the last playoff spot in the Western Conference heading into Wednesday’s matchup against the Edmonton Oilers.
But after back-to-back losses, the defending champs are in need of a response, and that seems to have oddsmakers indecisive.
Well, that and the uncertain status of Connor McDavid.
Let’s take a look at Wednesday night’s NHL matchup between the Knights and Oilers in Edmonton.
| Team | Puck Line | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knights | +1.5 (-260) | -102 | o6,5 (+106) |
| Oilers | -1.5 (+210) | -118 | u6.5 (-130) |
The third and final meeting between these Pacific Division foes is set as a pick’em with McDavid tabbed as a gametime decision due to a day-to-day lower-body injury.
It’s merely a waste of time to list any of McDavid’s numbers and how he makes an impact on any game against any opponent. His dominance is ubiquitous.
I still believe the Oilers are being undervalued even if he doesn’t end up in the lineup.
Edmonton has taken Vegas to town for almost every minute of five-on-five the two teams have played against one another this season.
The Oilers are the single-best team at expected goals rate in contrast to a Knights team that has been progressively inconsistent at finding quality scoring chances.
Keeping pucks out of the net has also been a lingering theme. Vegas blew a 4-1 lead against Arizona on Friday with six unanswered, even-strength goals in the third period.
Adin Hill returns to the cage for the first time since March 23, seeking to manage the Oilers’ league-high of 33.9 shots per game.
He was tremendous in the Knights’ 3-1 victory against the Oilers at home on Feb. 6. However, it’s not easy to play in Edmonton.
The splits reveal the Oilers as one of hockey’s most dangerous home teams, where their power play is 16% better than on the road and where they boast an 11.6 shooting percentage.
They are also 9-0-1 in their last 10 games inside of Rogers Place.
All the jargon aside, I favor the hotter personnel in a tight game: Leon Draisitl and Evan Bouchard join McDavid as top-12 power-play point scorers in the NHL.
Zach Hyman, the No. 1 overall player in expected goals rate, has added plenty of extra punch in a coming-out party this season.
Unless Hill can steal this game, all signs point to Edmonton as it gears up for the playoffs.