Edmonton Favored To Win Game 1 in Vancouver
Oilers vs Canucks Betting are on the Stanley Cup Favorites
The Stanley Cup Playoffs roll on, as the Edmonton Oilers visit the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. Edmonton is -1.5 (+198) on the puck line and -126 on the moneyline, while Vancouver is +1.5 (-228) on the spread and +112 to win outright. The projected total is 6, with a slight edge to the over at -117.
Meanwhile, the Oilers are -260 favorites to win the best-of-seven series, compared to +220 for the Canucks.
What should bettors expect? Read on as we break down the Oilers vs Canucks betting odds in our Game 1 preview.
Western Conference Semifinals
Game 1
Oilers vs Canucks 
Records: Edmonton Oilers (53-27-7) vs Vancouver Canucks (54-25-9)
Day/Time:
Location: Rogers Arena, Vancouver, B.C.
Streaming: ESPN, ESPN+
Oilers vs Canucks Betting Trends
The Edmonton Oilers are 40-47 against the puck line, including just 16-27 away from home. Edmonton has fared slightly better against the over/under, where it is 4-1 over its last five games and 39-44-4 on the season.
The Vancouver Canucks, meanwhile, are 45-43 ATS, including 22-22 at home. Vancouver has also been profitable against the Over/Under, going 43-40-5 despite recent trends (1-4 in last five games).
That is important to remember when assessing the Oilers vs Canucks betting odds.
As Goes McDavid, So Goes the Oilers
All eyes are on Connor McDavid as the three-time Hart Trophy winner tries to lead Edmonton back to the Western Conference finals. The Oilers have not advanced that deep into the Stanley Cup playoffs bracket since 2021-22.
Expectations are understandably high for Edmonton following its five-game series against Los Angeles. The Oilers are favorites to win the Western Conference (+180) and the Stanley Cup (+450).
Why? Look no further than Edmonton’s collection of scorers. The Oilers were among the NHL’s most proficient offenses during the regular season, averaging 3.56 goals per game while converting on 26.3% of their power play (PP) chances.
Believe it or not, they have been even better in the playoffs. In the first round against the Kings, Edmonton scored 22 goals and put home a league-best 45% of their PP attempts.
McDavid, of course, had a big hand in that. His 12 playoff points (1G, 11A) lead all hockey players. Zach Hyman and Leon Draisaitl accounted for 12 of the team’s goals.
Goaltending is always a concern for Edmonton. Still, the Oilers weathered Stuart Skinner’s inconsistent play to go 49-27-6 during the regular season, topping 100 points for the third consecutive year.
If the Oilers’ top line fires on all cylinders it may not matter how Skinner performs. Nobody, including Vancouver, can match the Oilers’ offensive firepower.
Silovs Saddled with Big Responsibility
Although Vancouver hasn’t tipped its hand, all indications are that the Canucks will turn back to Arturs Silovs in goal. The 2019 sixth-rounder started the final three NHL games of the first-round series against Nashville, including the Game 6 clincher in which he stopped all 28 shots he faced.
Despite shuffling through three different goalies, the Canucks posted a 2.00 goals-against average (GAA) and had the second-best save percentage (SV%) (.926) of any NHL team, behind Boston (.944).
With Vezina contender Thatcher Demko still sidelined with a knee injury, the only other option is veteran backup Casey DeSmith, who started Games 2 and 3. He filled in admirably, stopping 41 of the 45 shots he faced. But coach Rick Tocchet sees more upside in the younger Silovs.
The rookie performed well against Nashville. But the stakes are now raised. He has only nine regular-season starts under his belt, so there’s still a lot of mystery to his game.
Without Demko, who has already been ruled out for the series, he may be Vancouver’s next-best choice. Given the star’s injury, oddsmakers are understandably down on Vancouver. The Canucks are easily the biggest longshot remaining, priced +650 to win the West and +1800 to win the Stanley Cup. The other seven teams all have championship hockey odds of 8/1 or shorter
Thus, a lot is riding on their veteran forwards to lead the way. That includes Brock Boeser (4G, 2A) and J.T. Miller (1G, 5A).
Handicapping the Game
Is Silovs a legitimate answer to the Canucks’ goaltending conundrum? He certainly appeared to be against the Predators, posting a sparkling 1.70 GAA and .938 SV% in three games. Most importantly, the moment didn’t seem too big for the 23-year-old, who’d seen action just four times during the NHL regular season.
His inexperience could be a greater concern now that Edmonton is on the opposing side. The Oilers are the most imposing offensive team left. They averaged 4.4 goals against the Kings, scoring six or more twice.
A lot of attention will be paid to McDavid — and rightfully so — but Hyman lit the lamp more than anyone else.
Vancouver won all four regular-season meetings, outscoring Edmonton by a combined 21-7. However, three of those games were played during the Oilers’ brutal 3-9-1 start that coincided with the firing of Jay Woodcroft.
Remember these when analyzing the Oilers vs Canucks betting odds.
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