A game that features two teams that have started the new season strongly, the Washington Capitals and the Edmonton Oilers collide at Rogers Place. This cross-continent matchup will get going at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, October 24 and it can be watched live on Sportsnet ONE.
Washington Capitals at Edmonton Oilers Odds
Washington enters the matchup as the favorite with a -130 moneyline. The line for Edmonton is standing at +110, and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals. If bettors want to put some action on the game’s total, they’ll be looking at odds of -115 for the over and -105 for the under.
The Oilers are 7-3 straight up (SU) and have earned 4.5 units for moneyline bettors this season. That win percentage, ranked third in the league so far this season, is a welcomed turnaround from what the team managed during the 2018-19 season (35-47). Through 10 regular season contests, six of its games have gone under the total, while four have gone over and none have pushed. The team’s 4-0 SU at home so far this year.
Edmonton’s connected on 35.7 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked fifth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 88.2 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Edmonton has been called for penalties 3.6 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 3.7, the mark in the league. After serving an average of 9.2 penalty minutes per game a year ago, the team has had to kill penalties for 7.2 minutes per outing this season.
Averaging 26.7 saves per game with a .925 save percentage, Mike Smith (3-3-1) has been the principal goalkeeper for the Oilers this year. If head coach Dave Tippett chooses to give him the night off, however, the Oilers might turn to the undefeated Mikko Koskinen (4-0 record, .934 save percentage, 2.21 goals against average).
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will each lead the offensive attack for the Oilers. McDavid (17 points) is up to five goals and 12 assists and has recorded two or more points on five separate occasions this year. Draisaitl has six goals and 10 assists to his name and has recorded a point in eight contests.
Washington has earned 2.5 units for moneyline bettors this season and is currently 7-4 straight up (SU). Through 11 regular season contests, seven of its games have gone over the total, while four have gone under the total and none have pushed. Washington’s 5-1 SU as the road team this season.
Washington has converted on 25.0 percent of its power play chances this season, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 11th overall and it’s successfully killed off 84.6 percent of all opponent power plays.
Washington’s skaters have been penalized 4.1 times per game this season. Last year, that number was at 3.8, which was the sixth-worst mark in the league. After serving an average of 9.0 penalty minutes per game a season ago the team’s been forced to kill penalties for 9.9 minutes per outing this year.
Braden Holtby (.884 save percentage and 3.60 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Washington. Holtby is averaging 24.8 saves per game and owns a 4-4-2 record.
John Carlson (five goals, 15 assists) has been one of the primary offensive playmakers for the visiting Capitals.
Washington Capitals at Edmonton Oilers Free Picks
NHL Tip: SU Winner – Oilers, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- After going 3-3 in games decided by a shootout last year, Edmonton is off to a 1-1 start in shootouts this season. Washington was 4-1 in shootouts last year and has yet to participate in one this time around.
- The under has hit in four of Edmonton’s last five outings.
- Washington skaters created 24.2 hits per game last season, while the Oilers posted 26.7 hits per matchup.
