The Oilers and Canucks hook up tonight in Game 7 with the winner punching their ticket to the Western Conference Finals. Given the do-or-die circumstances, Game 7s are often tight-checking affairs, and even with the firepower on display, our NHL picks are siding with the Under.
This article contains predictions for an old game!
There are no better words in sports than ‘Game 7’.
This is the situation the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks find themselves in with a spot in the Western Conference Finals on the line tonight.
Will Edmonton ride the momentum of a blowout win in Game 6, or will the Canucks — sans Brock Boeser — rally and pull off the upset?
Find out below in my Oilers vs. Canucks prediction and free NHL picks for Monday, May 20.
My best bet
Under 5.5 (+100 at SIA)
My analysis
For as much firepower that will be on the ice tonight for both the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks, there comes a point in the series where the goals dry up and time and space simply disappear.
As we enter this franchise-altering Game 7, I believe we will see the defense and goalies win out tonight for several reasons.
First and foremost, the Vancouver Canucks will be without Brock Boeser tonight and while he’s been held off the scoresheet in the last two games, he’s a vital piece up front and one that drives his line. The Canucks will now be forced to put their lines in a blender to figure out a way to get the likes of J.T. Miller and Elias Pettersson going.
Over the last three games, that pair has combined for three points, which is not good enough to get the job done. The last change will help, but I believe in Edmonton’s ability to get the matchups they want and limit the scoring once more.
Secondly, on the Oilers’ side, Connor McDavid has been quiet by his lofty standards. Three assists in a Game 6 blowout will help his case, but he had just one point in the prior three games, two of which finished in 3-2 finals.
The best players always find ways to step their game up when the chips are pushed in the middle, but the Canucks have been exceptional at containing him for four of the six games.
I fully expect both teams to sell out, block shots, and help their goalies out in whatever way humanly possible.
If you believe in trends, both Game 7s so far this postseason have gone Under the number, with the winning team netting just two goals in both games.
Under 5.5
Edmonton moneyline
Stuart Skinner Over 23.5 saves
Since we like the Under 5.5, it’s only right that we pair it with a goaltending prop.
Stuart Skinner had very little to do in Game 6, stopping 14 of 15 Canucks shots en route to the win. Given the shift in scenery to Vancouver, the onus will be on the home side to push the pace and get pucks on net.
We already mentioned the blended lines and the effect they may have on scoring, but generating shots on home ice in a Game 7 is mandatory.
In the last leg, we’ll side with the Oilers’ moneyline. They are the healthier of the two and with McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, you can’t go wrong for this +500 price.
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The Edmonton Oilers have hit the Game Total Under in 38 of their last 69 games (+8.75 Units / 12% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Oilers vs. Canucks.
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