In their second head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Edmonton Oilers and the Colorado Avalanche meet at the Pepsi Center for a Western Conference showdown. Sportsnet West will broadcast the matchup, which gets going at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 18.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche Odds
The Avalanche are 31-26 straight up (SU) and have netted 9.9 units for moneyline bettors this year. That early-season winning percentage is a huge turnaround from what the team did during the 2016-17 season (22-60). Among its 57 games this season, 31 have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under and just two have pushed. The teams 20-8 SU at home this season.
Colorado’s converted on 18.8 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is rated sixth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 83.2 percent of all penalties.
Colorado, as a collective unit, has been called for penalties 4.2 times per game overall this season, and 3.2 per game over its last five at home. The teams had to stave off opponent power plays for just 8.0 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Boasting a .913 save percentage and 27.8 saves per game, Semyon Varlamov (15 wins, 16 losses, and two OT losses) has been the primary goalkeeper for the Avalanche this year. If they decide to give him the day off, however, head coach Jared Bednar might turn to Jonathan Bernier (17-13-13 record, .914 save percentage, 2.82 goals against average).
The Avs will continue seeking leadership from Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen. MacKinnon (61 points) has tallied 24 goals and 37 assists and has recorded two or more points in 18 different games this year. Rantanen has 18 goals and 35 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 34 games.
Over on the other bench, Edmonton is 23-34 straight up (SU) and has lost 17.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. A total of 28 of its matches have gone over the total, while 27 have gone under and just one has pushed. As the road team so far, Edmonton is 11-18 SU.
Edmonton has converted on just 14.7 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places it in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 31st overall and it’s successfully killed off 71.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Edmonton’s players have been penalized 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 3.0 per game over their last five road outings. The teams had to kill penalties just 7.2 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Cam Talbot (3.14 goals against average and .901 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Edmonton. Talbot is averaging 26.4 saves per game and owns a 20-25-2 record.
For the visiting Oilers, the offense will be facilitated by Connor McDavid, who’s got 43 assists and 23 goals this season.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche Betting Predictions
Free Pick: SU Winner – Avalanche, O/U – Under
Betting Notes
- The total has gone over in three of Colorado’s last five outings.
- The extra-man advantage could have a key role in this game. The Oilers are 10-8 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 15-24 when they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes. The Avalanche are 13-9 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 19-17 in games where their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Colorado is 1-1 in games decided by a shootout this season while Edmonton is 2-1 in shootouts.
- Colorado is ranked 21st overall with 6.8 takeaways per game. That figures trended lower lately, however, as it has created 4.9 takeaways over its last 10 games and 4.6 takeaways over its last five.
- Edmonton has allowed 3.3 goals per game overall this season, but is giving up 4.3 goals per match up over its last six games (0-6 SU over that span).
- Edmonton skaters have managed 6.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 7.9 takeaways per game (ranked 11th in the league).
