Rogers Place is playing host to an enticing tilt as the Vancouver Canucks face off against the Edmonton Oilers. This Pacific Division matchup will get going at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 27, and it’ll air live on Sportsnet ONE.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers Odds
With a moneyline of -170, Edmonton enters the matchup as the substantial favorite. The line for Vancouver is standing at +150 and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -105 for the over and -115 on the under.
The Oilers are 18-18 straight up (SU) and have earned 0.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Pacific Division in this young season, is fairly close to the 36-46 record the team posted during the 2017-18 season campaign. Through 36 regular season outings, 18 of the team’s games have gone under the total, while 15 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team is 10-7 SU at home this season.
Edmonton has converted on 20.5 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 28th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 75.7 percent of all penalties.
Edmonton, as a collective unit, has been penalized 3.9 times per game overall this season, 4.0 per game over its past five outings total, and 3.4 per game over its last five home outings. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for 12.0 minutes per contest over its last five home games.
Averaging 26.2 saves per game with a .894 save percentage, Cam Talbot (7-12-2) has been the top goalkeeper for the Oilers this year. If the Oilers choose to give him the evening off, however, the team could go with Mikko Koskinen (11-7-7 record, .925 save percentage, 2.34 goals against average).
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl will each be offensive focal points for the Oilers. McDavid (52 points) has tallied 19 goals and 33 assists and has recorded multiple points on 13 different occasions this year. Draisaitl has 17 goals and 26 assists to his credit and has notched at least one point in 25 contests.
Vancouver has netted moneyline bettors 4.2 units this year and is currently 17-22 straight up (SU). Through 39 regular season contests, 19 of its games have gone over the total, while 18 have gone under the total and just two have pushed. As a road team , Vancouver is 8-12 SU.
Vancouver has converted on 18.3 percent of its power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 19th overall and it’s successfully defended 78.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Vancouver’s skaters have been called for penalties 3.9 times per game in total this season, and 2.9 per game over their past ten match ups. The team has had to kill penalties just 6.6 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom (28.4 saves per game) has been the main option in the net for Vancouver. Markstrom owns a 14-13-3 record, while registering a .908 save percentage and 2.87 goals against average this year.
Elias Pettersson (17 goals, 19 assists) and Bo Horvat (17 goals, 17 assists) have been the top playmakers for Vancouver and will lead the attack for the visiting Canucks.
Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers Free Picks
Free NHL Tip: SU Winner – Oilers, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
- The Canucks are 5-10 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 11-13 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total.
- Edmonton has averaged 12.4 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.9 takeaways per game (ranked 6th).
- Vancouver is ranked 26th overall with 6.3 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower, however, as the team has managed 4.9 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.6 takeaways over its last five.
- Edmonton may have an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 11-4 in games decided by one goal, while Vancouver is 6-11 in such games.
