The Vegas Golden Knights have a comfortable five-point lead on the last playoff spot in the Western Conference heading into Wednesday’s matchup against the Edmonton Oilers.
But after back-to-back losses, the defending champs are in need of a response, and that seems to have oddsmakers indecisive.
Well, that and the uncertain status of Connor McDavid.
Let’s take a look at Wednesday night’s NHL matchup between the Knights and Oilers in Edmonton.
Golden Knights vs. Oilers odds
Team | Puck Line | Moneyline | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Knights | +1.5 (-260) | -102 | o6,5 (+106) |
Oilers | -1.5 (+210) | -118 | u6.5 (-130) |
Golden Knights vs. Oilers prediction
The third and final meeting between these Pacific Division foes is set as a pick’em with McDavid tabbed as a gametime decision due to a day-to-day lower-body injury.
It’s merely a waste of time to list any of McDavid’s numbers and how he makes an impact on any game against any opponent. His dominance is ubiquitous.
I still believe the Oilers are being undervalued even if he doesn’t end up in the lineup.
Edmonton has taken Vegas to town for almost every minute of five-on-five the two teams have played against one another this season.
![.Adin Hill #33 of the Vegas Golden Knights controls a loose puck against the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third period at T-Mobile Arena on March 23, 2024.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/04/Adin-Hill.-.jpg?w=1024)
The Oilers are the single-best team at expected goals rate in contrast to a Knights team that has been progressively inconsistent at finding quality scoring chances.
Keeping pucks out of the net has also been a lingering theme. Vegas blew a 4-1 lead against Arizona on Friday with six unanswered, even-strength goals in the third period.
Adin Hill returns to the cage for the first time since March 23, seeking to manage the Oilers’ league-high of 33.9 shots per game.
He was tremendous in the Knights’ 3-1 victory against the Oilers at home on Feb. 6. However, it’s not easy to play in Edmonton.
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The splits reveal the Oilers as one of hockey’s most dangerous home teams, where their power play is 16% better than on the road and where they boast an 11.6 shooting percentage.
They are also 9-0-1 in their last 10 games inside of Rogers Place.
Golden Knights vs. Oilers pick
All the jargon aside, I favor the hotter personnel in a tight game: Leon Draisitl and Evan Bouchard join McDavid as top-12 power-play point scorers in the NHL.
Zach Hyman, the No. 1 overall player in expected goals rate, has added plenty of extra punch in a coming-out party this season.
Unless Hill can steal this game, all signs point to Edmonton as it gears up for the playoffs.