Oilers Even Score in OT, Can Canucks Respond?
Canucks vs Oilers Betting Odds Favor Edmonton
The Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers are even at one game apiece following Edmonton’s thrilling 4-3 overtime victory on Friday.
Game 3 of their best-of-seven Western Conference series is slated for Sunday (9:30 p.m. ET) in Edmonton.
Edmonton is -1.5 (+120) on the puck line and -205 on the moneyline, while Vancouver is +1.5 (-142) and +170. Meanwhile, the projected total is 6.5, with a slight edge to the Under at -115.
The Oilers are also -275 favorites to win the series, compared to +230 for the Canucks.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down both teams and assess the Canucks vs Oilers betting odds in our Game 3 preview.
Canucks vs Oilers 
Date & Time:
Records: Oilers (54-29-6)/Canucks (55-26-9)
Location: Rogers Place: Edmonton, Alberta
Streaming: TBS
Canucks vs Oilers Betting Trends
The Vancouver Canucks are 47-43 against the puck line, including 2-0 this series. Vancouver has also been profitable against the Over/Under, going 45-40-5.
Conversely, the Edmonton Oilers are just 40-49 against the puck line. The Oilers have fared slightly better against the Over/Under, going 6-1 this postseason for an overall record of 41-44-4.
That’s important to remember when assessing the Canucks vs Oilers betting odds.
Oh, What Could’ve Been
Vancouver squandered a golden opportunity to build on the momentum created by its Game 1 win. Instead of heading to Edmonton up 2-0, the Canucks are even. The Oilers peppered Arturs Silovs with 31 shots, tying the game on three separate occasions before Evan Bouchard won it at 5:38 of overtime.
Silovs was respectable, making 27 stops. However, the Canucks still clearly miss Thatcher Demko. The Vezina finalist, who hasn’t played since Game 1 against the Kings, remains week-to-week with a knee injury. He has already been ruled out for this series, so the Canucks must continue to overcome his absence to advance to their first Western Conference final since 2010-11.
Silovs will presumably start Game 3. The 2019 sixth-round pick has filled in admirably, registering a 2.58 goals against-average and .899 save percentage in five postseason starts. Veteran backup Casey DeSmith, who started Games 2 and 3 in the first round, is the other option.
Demko’s absence has undoubtedly dampened Vancouver’s outlook. The Canucks are +750 longshots to win the West, as well as +2000 odds to win the Stanley Cup. Only the Hurricanes, who are on the brink of elimination, have longer Cup odds at +3500.
After generating only 19 shots in Game 2, Vancouver’s offense will clearly need to pick up the slack as the series shifts to Edmonton.
Oilers Answer the Call
Edmonton showed its resolve in Game 2, tying it three different times in regulation. Connor McDavid’s goal at 5:27 of the third period made it 3-3, setting the table for Bouchard to win it in overtime. Unsurprisingly, McDavid also had a hand in the game-winner, notching an assist.
The Oilers are now averaging 4.2 goals per game this postseason and lead the league in power play percentage, converting at a rate of 45.8%. They were 1 of 3 on the power play on Friday, with Leon Draisaitl opening the scoring for Edmonton. Draisaitl now has six goals this postseason, three behind teammate Zach Hyman.
When everything’s going right, Edmonton’s offense is electric. The Oilers were also among the highest scoring NHL hockey teams during the regular season, with four NHL players topping 75 points.
Edmonton’s biggest concern remains its goaltending. Stuart Skinner certainly didn’t win over any skeptics in Game 1, allowing five goals on 24 shots. But the Oilers may be able to overcome his shortcomings if their offense operates to its full potential.
Oddsmakers seem to agree. The Oilers are +180 favorites to win the West and +400 to win the Stanley Cup, the third shortest odds behind only Florida (+320) and New York (+350). Be sure to keep that in mind when analyzing the Canucks vs Oilers betting odds.
Handicapping the Game
The Canucks have dominated the Oilers this NHL season, going 6-1, and momentum was certainly in their favor after Game 1. But none of that matters now. The Oilers are right where they need to be, tied 1-1 coming back home.
Although Skinner has struggled at times, Edmonton is potent enough offensively to overcome his issues. The Oilers already have eight goals on 49 shots through two NHL games, while their power play is 2 for 4.
Without Demko, the Canucks are at a significant disadvantage. Look for another high-scoring affair in Game 3.
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