The Edmonton Oilers will try to bounce back from a 2-1 series deficit for the second time in these NHL playoffs on Wednesday.
Edmonton finds itself in a 2-1 hole in its best-of-seven series with the Vegas Golden Knights after falling 5-1 on Monday night. In their opening-round series against Los Angeles, the Oilers were also down 2-1 and then responded by winning three straight games to send the Kings packing.
The Oilers are big -196 favourites on the moneyline and the total is set high at seven goals on Wednesday night.
Golden Knights vs. Oilers odds
| Golden Knights Moneyline Odds | +159 |
| Oilers Moneyline Odds | -196 |
| Series odds | Golden Knights -141, Oilers +125 |
| Over/Under | 7 goals (over +111, under -133) |
| Time/Date | Wednesday, May 10, 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: CBC (National) Sportsnet East, Ontario, Pacific (Regional) TVA Sports (French Broadcast) Stream: CBC.ca (Free!) (How to watch the NHL in Canada?) |
Series history
The two teams have now clashed seven times, including four regular-season meetings. Edmonton has taken four of the head-to-head contests and the teams have combined for a 4-2-1 over/under record. Two of the seven contests required overtime to be decided.
| Date | Home Team | Result | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2023 | Edmonton | 5-1 VEG (+165) | 7.0 (under) |
| May 6, 2023 | Vegas | 5-1 EDM (-129) | 7.0 (under) |
| May 3, 2023 | Vegas | 6-4 VEG (+105) | 6.5 (over) |
| March 28, 2023 | Vegas | 7-4 EDM (+102) | 7.0 (over) |
| March 25, 2023 | Edmonton | 4-3 (OT) VEG (+171) | 7.0 (push) |
| Jan. 14, 2023 | Vegas | 4-3 EDM (-132) | 6.5 (over) |
| Nov. 19, 2022 | Edmonton | 4-3 (OT) EDM (+110) | 6.5 (over) |
About the Golden Knights (6-2 SU, 5-3 ATS, 5-3 o/u)
Vegas scored five consecutive goals to overcome a 1-0 deficit in Game 3 and has some major momentum heading into this one.
An injury to starting goaltender Laurent Brossoit (see below for more details) could be a major hurdle, but the Knights do have depth in goal. Adin Hill proved he’s a capable backup all season long, and Vegas can also lean on veteran netminder Jonathan Quick, who helped backstop the Kings to two Stanley Cups earlier in his career.
Jonathan Marchessault is coming off a two-goal performance on Monday after being held pointless in his last three games. He now has two goals and two assists this postseason.
Player to watch: Jack Eichel
Eichel now has two multi-point efforts in this series (Game 1 and Game 3) and appears to be heating up just at the right time for Vegas. There isn’t much value in betting Eichel over 0.5 points (around -220 depending on the sportsbook), but he’s +104 to record an assist at FanDuel and +165 to score.
About the Oilers (5-4 SU, 3-6 ATS, 5-4 o/u)
After scoring five power-play goals on nine chances in the first two games, the Oilers couldn’t convert on only two opportunities with the man advantage on Monday. Leon Draisaitl, who leads all players with 13 goals this postseason, was held without a point for the first time these playoffs, and Connor McDavid didn’t record a point for the first time since Game 1 against Los Angeles in the previous round of these playoffs.
Even after getting blanked in Game 3, Edmonton’s power play has converted at a rate of 51.9% through nine playoff games to lead the NHL (Winnipeg ranks second with a 41.7% mark). The Oilers have struggled at 5-on-5 in the series, so drawing penalties will be crucial in Game 4.
Player to watch: Zach Hyman
Hyman took a knee to his right knee area in Game 3 and may be out for Game 4. He plays an important role in front of the net on the power play and on the team’s second line. Mattias Janmark, who banged his head into the boards after stumbling in Game 1, took part in practice and could take Hyman’s roster spot if he can’t go. Bettors will want to monitor who replaces Hyman on the team’s second line for player props. More importantly, Hyman’s potential absence could also prompt the Oilers to split up McDavid and Draisaitl on the top line and move one of them to the second line to balance out the attack.
Probable goaltenders
Vegas: Adin Hill (1-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 SV%) – confirmed.
Edmonton: Stuart Skinner (4-4, 3.60 GAA, .888 SV%) – confirmed.
There’s major uncertainty in the crease for both teams ahead of this one. Brossoit left Game 3 due to injury midway through the first period and was replaced by Hill, who stopped all 24 shots he faced. Vegas head coach Bruce Cassidy didn’t provide an update on Brossoit’s status ahead of Game 4, so bettors will want to monitor any developments leading up to puck drop.
There’s also widespread speculation that Jack Campbell will draw into the goal for Edmonton. Skinner was pulled in Game 3 after allowing four goals on 23 shots in favour of Campbell. Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft wouldn’t disclose who his goaltender would be for Game 4 when he addressed the media on Tuesday.
Noteworthy absences
As previously mentioned, Brossoit suffered an undisclosed injury in Game 3 and is questionable. Zach Hyman is also questionable for the Oilers.
Betting trends
- The road team is 5-1 in the past six meetings.
- The underdog is 9-3 in the past 12 meetings.
- The under is 5-1-1 in the past seven meetings in Edmonton.
Wagers to consider
- Marchessault has recorded 17 shots over the last three games (5.6 per game). He’s -160 to record over 2.5 shots at BetMGM.
- Oilers defenceman Evan Bouchard was held pointless for the first time in 11 games on Monday. The pointman was on an incredible run and could get right back in the boxscore if the Oilers’ power play can bounce back after a quiet Game 3. He’s -104 at FanDuel to record at least one power play point.
