Edmonton (3-3) at Vancouver (3-3)
When: Monday, May 20th 2024
Where: Rogers Arena,
Vancouver, BC
Time: 9:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Edmonton -145/5.5
We are down to one final game in the Western Conference playoff series between the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks. It’s a series that has literally gone back and forth, with neither team winning two in a row. That trend would favor the Canucks, who are now the home team in this decisive Game 7 on Monday night. The Oilers forced the issue with resounding 5-1 win on Saturday night – the first game of the series not decided by a single goal. The Oilers opened as -145 favorites to win, with the total set at 6.0.
Including the regular season, the Canucks have won seven of 10 matchups against the Oilers overall this year and four of five at home. Early betting action is split down the middle on the moneyline, while 53 percent of bettors are taking Edmonton -1.5 on the puckline at +165. Bettors are liking the Over, as 73 percent are predicting a high-scoring game. The first three games of the series all hit the Over, while Games 4 and 5 went Under and Game 6 was a Push.
EDMONTON OILERS
Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins each recorded a goal and two assists in the huge Game 6 win for Edmonton, while Connor McDavid finished with three assists. Dylan Holloway, Zach Hyman and Evander Kane also had goals. Leon Draisaitl now leads the playoffs in scoring with 23 points (8G, 15A) after adding two helpers on Saturday. McDavid is second in playoff scoring with 21 points (2G, 19A) and Hyman leads the playoffs with 10 goals. Stuart Skinner wasn’t tested often in Game 6, but made 14 saves in his first start since Game 3.
Edmonton is 7-7 all-time in Game 7s, including 3-3 on the road. They won the last Game 7 they played in the 2022 playoffs against the L.A. Kings, but lost their last road Game 7 against the Anaheim Ducks in 2017. Corey Perry, who was a healthy scratch in Game 6, has the most experience in Game 7, going 5-5 in his career, while McDavid and Draisaitl are each 1-1. Skinner and backup goalie Calvin Pickard have never played a Game 7 in the NHL and head coach Kris Knoblauch has never coached in one.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS
Nils Hoglander got Vancouver’s lone goal on Saturday and Arturs Silovs made 22 saves on 27 shots. Elias Pettersson assisted on the goal, but has just six points (1G, 5A) in 12 playoff games this year after finishing just shy of 90 points in the regular season. Brock Boeser (7G, 5A) and J.T. Miller (3G, 9A) have carried the majority of the offensive load with a team-high 12 points each. The Canucks have been able to slow down the high-powered Edmonton power play the last two games by killing all eight chances.
This will be head coach Rick Tocchet’s first Game 7 in the NHL behind the bench. As a franchise, the Canucks 6-6 all-time, including 4-3 at home. The most recent Game 7 for the Canucks at home was a 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins in the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. Ian Cole is 4-4 in Game 7s, Miller is 1-3 and Tyler Myers is 1-2, while Silovs has never played a Game 7 in the NHL. If Vancouver wins, it will be the first time in NHL history that all four division champions have reached the conference finals.
Prediction:
Before Saturday’s game, Vancouver playoff games had ended in a one-goal deficit one way or another in nine straight contests. With this being a Game 7 between the last two Canadian teams remaining, I predict it will be tight. The Oilers were impressive in Game 6, but this Canucks team has won four of five against them at home. It’s a high price to pay, but give me Vancouver on the puckline.
