Oilers Facing Goalie Dilemma Ahead of Game 4
Canucks vs Oilers NHL Odds Now Split for Series
The Edmonton Oilers are facing a 2-1 deficit in their second-round series against the Vancouver Canucks. Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals is slated for Tuesday (9:30 p.m. ET) at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.
Edmonton is -1.5 (+120) on the puck line a -205 moneyline favorite, with Vancouver +170 to win outright. Meanwhile, the projected total is 6.5 with a slight edge to the Under at -122. Bettors can get the Over at +102.
The series winner is now essentially a pick ‘em, with both Vancouver and Edmonton holding -110 odds.
Can Edmonton respond? We break down the Canucks vs Oilers NHL odds in our Game 4 playoff preview.
Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks 
Day/Time:
Location: Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta
Streaming: ESPN, ESPN+
Canucks vs Oilers Betting Trends
The Vancouver Canucks are 48-43 against the puck line, including 3-0 this series. Vancouver has also been profitable for Over/Under bettors, going 46-40-5.
Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers are just 40-50 against the puck line. The Oilers have been far more profitable of late against the Over/Under, going 7-1 this postseason for an overall mark of 42-44-4.
That’s important to remember when assessing the Canucks vs Oilers NHL odds.
Silovs Rises to the Occasion
Vancouver overcame a massive disparity in shots in Game 3, with Arturs Silovs showing impressive resolve in net. Making his sixth start this postseason, the 2019 sixth-round pick made a whopping 42 saves.
Silovs faced 36 shots over the second and third periods. The Oilers stepped up the pressure late, pulling the goalie with 3:23 left while trailing 4-2. Edmonton’s aggressiveness paid off with 1:16 remaining when Evan Bouchard — the Game 2 overtime hero — scored to cut the deficit in half. But that was it for the Oilers.
While oddsmakers remain skeptical of Vancouver with Thatcher Demko hurt, Silovs is easing some concerns with his recent play. Silovs improved his save percentage to .908 this postseason after Game 2. Prior to Sunday, his career high for saves was 37 (Feb. 18, 2023, against Philadelphia). The 23-year-old Latvian is now 3-0-1 with a 2.47 goals against-average in the playoffs. That includes a 28-save shutout in Game 6 of the first round against Nashville.
Demko, a Vezina Trophy finalist, has already been ruled out for the series because of a knee injury. He hasn’t played since April 21.
Meanwhile, the Canucks odds’ of winning the Western Conference improved from +750 to +425. So, too, did their Stanley Cup odds, up to +1300 from +2000.
On another encouraging note, Vancouver’s struggling power play came out of its slumber. Elias Lindholm scored twice on the power play, improving the Canucks’ conversion rate to 22.7%. Be sure to keep that in mind when analyzing the Canucks vs Oilers NHL odds.
Goaltending Issues Worry Oilers
Which direction will Edmonton take in goal? Stuart Skinner, who had started every game this postseason, was pulled in Game 3 after allowing four goals on 15 shots. Calvin Pickard kept Vancouver off the board in the third period, but it wasn’t enough to rescue the Oilers.
Skinner has been shaky at best this postseason, registering a 3.23 GAA and .877 save percentage. He has given up at least three goals in six of his eight starts.
Oilers head coach Kris Knoblauch remained mum on his Game 4 starter, telling reporters that Edmonton’s goaltending has “to be better.” Those remarks have fueled speculation that Knoblauch may opt to turn to Pickard. The veteran backup went 12-7-1 with a 2.45 GAA and .909 save percentage during the regular season. He faced only three shots Sunday, the first postseason appearance of his nine-year career. There’s also Jack Campbell should Knoblauch choose to go another direction on the Oilers roster.
Regardless, the Oilers need better results to maximize their potential in the NHL standings. They have advanced past the second round just once in the last four seasons. Their Western Conference odds (+180 to +320) dropped following Game 3, as did their Stanley Cup odds (+400 to +700). Florida has overtaken them as Cup favorites at +225.
Edmonton squandered a commanding 45-18 edge in shots, including power play goals by Mattias Ekholm and Leon Draisaitl. The Oilers improved their power-play rate to a playoff best 46.4%. Draisaitl leads all players with 18 points this postseason.
Handicapping the Game
The Oilers’ odds to win the Stanley Cup have dropped. Is it time to panic? Not quite, but they clearly need to turn things around in a hurry.
Complicating matters for Edmonton is Silovs. The second-year netminder is building confidence after a string of solid performances in net. His Game 3 effort showed the Canucks may be able to survive without Demko.
The Canucks are already 3-0 against the puck line this series. Bettors may be wise to stick with recent trends and back the road team.
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