In a back-and-forth Game One, the Vegas Golden Knights edged out a 6-4 win over the Edmonton Oilers despite a herculean four-goal effort from Leon Draisaitl. As the only game on Saturday’s NHL schedule, all eyes will be on Game Two.
Which team will come out on top? Find out as we make our Game Two Oilers vs Golden Knights prediction.
Oilers vs. Golden Knights Odds
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights Information
Edmonton Oilers vs Vegas Golden Knights
Location of the game: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV.
Date and Time: Saturday, May 6, 7:00 PM ET.
How to Watch: TNT
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights Recent Scores
Edmonton won three of four regular season meetings against Vegas, one of which was in overtime. All games saw the teams combine for seven goals or more, so the over of 6.5 goals at -130 looks appetizing.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights Betting Analysis
Edmonton Oilers Facts to Know
As has been the case over the past few seasons, Edmonton needs to find an answer in goal, and fast. Calder Trophy nominee Stuart Skinner allowed five goals in Game One, bringing his playoff GAA to a staggering 3.68.
Though the offense has been good, the Oilers can’t continue counting on scoring five goals a game to win; Vegas is too good defensively to let that happen at this stage of the NHL playoffs bracket. The goaltending conundrum is the single biggest factor affecting the Oilers vs Golden Knights prediction.
Advanced NHL stats tell us Edmonton had better and more scoring chances than Vegas in Game One, holding a 3.22-3.1 expected goals rate (xGF) in all situations. The Oilers were the third-best team in the regular season in xGF%, so you can continue to expect opportunities to light up the scoreboard.
Vegas Golden Knights Facts to Know
The Golden Knights’ ability to capitalize on limited opportunities was the difference-maker in Game One and is part of why they finished at the top of the NHL standings in the Western Conference. With the score tied 3-3 early in the third, Vegas scored a pair of goals and added an empty-netter late to seal the win.
Mark Stone, in particular, will be key, as he’ll be tasked with shutting down the elite Edmonton center duo of Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Those two have combined for 27 points through seven playoff games. Stone scored a goal and added an assist while limiting Draisaitl to only one goal while the two were on the ice together; he also leads Vegas with four goals and 10 points this postseason.
Updates
Edmonton hasn’t yet announced a starting goaltender for Game Two. With an extra day off between games, we’d still expect Skinner to get the nod, but it could be Jack Campbell if Skinner needs more of a break. Vegas will likely run with Laurent Brossoit again.
Edmonton’s Derek Ryan missed Game One with an illness. He may be back in the lineup for Game Two. Vegas is still without goaltender Logan Thompson who is expected to be out until at least next week but remains on the NHL injury report for now.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights Betting Preview
Moneyline: As they were in Game One, Edmonton is the moneyline favorite at -125. Vegas is a home underdog at +105.
Over/Under: The Oilers -1.5 goals yields +195 odds, while the Golden Knights +1.5 goals is -230.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights Betting Prediction
These two NHL teams match up so well together, and it’s difficult to find an overwhelming advantage for either team. Because of this, we think it’s prudent to avoid a puck line bet here.
Getting a home team at relatively full health as an underdog in the playoffs is a rarity, especially when that team is the No.1 seed in the conference. With that value, a bet on Vegas is the smart play here.
- Our Oilers vs Golden Knights prediction is a 4-3 win for Vegas
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