Oilers vs. Golden Knights odds, choose, prediction for Sport 1 of NHL playoff sequence
The Vegas Golden Knights gained the Pacific Division, have home-ice benefit and appeared nice in a 4-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets of their Spherical 1 best-of-7 sequence.
So why does it really feel like everyone seems to be counting out the Knights in opposition to the Edmonton Oilers?
And is it warranted?
Not solely is Edmonton sitting at -110 on the street for Sport 1 in opposition to Vegas, however the Oilers are -152 to win the sequence and are the +180 favorites to win the Western Convention.
Is that this a case of a hype prepare getting uncontrolled?
Or is there nonetheless worth on this bandwagon?
Oilers vs. Golden Knights Sport 1 choose
(9:30 p.m. ET. ESPN)
The Jets have been a reasonably fashionable underdog in opposition to Vegas in Spherical 1, and after Winnipeg took the curtain-raiser, it appeared just like the skeptics have been on their approach to being confirmed proper with the Knights.
However Vegas would flip issues round in Sport 2 and by no means appeared again.
The Knights completed the sequence with a +9 aim differential at 5-on-5 and had the benefit in pictures on aim, anticipated targets and high-danger scoring probabilities within the sequence.
However nearly as good as Vegas was within the sequence, it’s honest to query if Winnipeg was actually on the races.
The Jets have been banged up all sequence and needed to play a number of video games with out No. 1 defenseman Josh Morrissey and play-making winger Nikolaj Ehlers.
That proved to be an excessive amount of to beat for Winnipeg, particularly with all-world goaltender Connor Hellebuyck a little bit off his sport.
The Knights nonetheless deserve credit score for a well-played sequence, however the Oilers will present a a lot steeper take a look at than the Jets did in Spherical 1.
Not solely did Edmonton look spectacular within the enterprise finish of its first-round sequence with the Los Angeles Kings, however the Oilers’ scorching run of kind stretches a lot additional again than that.
Edmonton entered the dance on a nine-game successful streak and was 18-2-1 since buying and selling for Mattias Ekholm earlier than the Commerce Deadline.
The Oilers established themselves as a severe Stanley Cup contender at precisely the precise time of the season.
Edmonton’s offense is prolific behind Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, however the Oilers confirmed important enhancements on the defensive facet of the puck down the stretch, too.
The Oilers have some inquiries to reply in aim, however with McDavid and Co. firing on all cylinders and the ability play clicking at a historic price, they need to have sufficient to get by Vegas on Wednesday night time.
Betting on the NHL?
Along with a play on the Oilers to win the sport, I’ll additionally go together with a sq. participant prop and again McDavid to get 2+ targets in Sport 1 at +580.
McDavid “solely” had three targets in opposition to the Kings, however he led the Oilers with 27 pictures on aim.
If he retains up that price, he’s poised for a few huge video games on this sequence.
Oilers vs. Golden Knights prediction
Edmonton Oilers -110 | Connor McDavid to attain 2+ targets (+580, FanDuel)