NHL odds can be somewhat hard to handicap in the last couple of games of the regular season, especially this year in the Eastern Conference where the combatants for the playoffs have largely been decided for a couple of weeks. The Pittsburgh Penguins still have plenty to play for though as they try to avoid falling into the wild card spot.
The Edmonton Oilers are in a similar spot ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, comfortably into the postseason but still trying to lock down 2nd place in the Western Conference Pacific division. This game is a marquee matchup of some of the best scorers in hockey, so there is also plenty of bragging rights on the line in this spot.
Matchup Information
Oilers at Penguins Betting Analysis
Pittsburgh is a pretty lofty -150 favorite for Tuesday night’s nationally televised ESPN tilt. The Penguins are 22-12-5 at home this season but coming off a dud of a loss, 4-1 at rival Philadelphia on Sunday.
The Oilers definitely have some value at +130 just because they have two of the top four scorers in the NHL in Connor McDavid (118 points) and Leon Draisaitl (108). Edmonton is 20-15-5 in road games this season but is coming off a bad loss of their own, 5-2 in Columbus as -248 favorites.
Oilers Betting Analysis
Edmonton is trying to clinch 2nd place in the Pacific as they hold on to a two-point lead over the Kings. The Oilers have two games left to play after Tuesday’s tilt at PPG Paints Arena, both at home against San Jose and Vancouver – very winnable contests in the NHL betting odds.
It’s been McDavid and Draisaitl leading Edmonton down the stretch as they’ve done all season. McDavid has 8 points in his last three games while Draisaitl scored a hat trick during a recent game in Nashville and found the back of the net in Sunday’s loss in Columbus. Evander Kane also looks ready for the postseason, adding a hat trick of his own in a win over Colorado on Friday and scoring in three straight.
Mikko Koskinen took the loss in net against the Blue Jackets last time out, so we’ll likely see Mike Smith back between the pipes on Tuesday. Smith has picked up a win in 8 straight starts, allowing two goals or less in six of the last seven with two shutouts.
Penguins Betting Analysis
Pittsburgh needs a win or two down the stretch, as their loss in Philadelphia over the weekend has Washington just a point back from third place in the Metropolitan. If the Penguins fall into the wild card spot they could get matched up with 112-point Carolina or 120-point Florida in the first round of the postseason which isn’t ideal.
The McDavid vs. Sidney Crosby matchup is definitely an interesting one for Tuesday’s NHL picks, and the main reason this game is headed out to a national broadcast. Crosby has scored in two straight games and has 12 points in his last 7 overall. It’s really been Jake Guentzel who has stepped up with Evgeni Malkin battling injuries this season as Guentzel has multiple goals in three of his last six games.
Updates
Pittsburgh has the biggest injury here as Tristan Jarry has what is believed to be a broken foot that has sidelined him since April 14th. That may be a blessing in disguise for the Penguins though as he was struggling with 3+ goals allowed in five of six starts.
Casey DeSmith has gotten a bulk of the work in Jarry’s absence, faring well with four total goals allowed over his last three starts. That includes a 52 save shutout against the Bruins last Thursday.
- Oilers are 4-0 last 4 vs. teams with a winning record
- Oilers are 4-1 last 5 overall
- Oilers are 1-5 last 6 as an underdog
- Oilers are 2-7 last 9 in Pittsburgh
- Penguins are 7-3 last 10 home games
- Penguins are 66-32 last 98 as a favorite
- Penguins are 19-7 last 26 head to head
Oilers at Penguins Betting Preview
The -150 price seems a bit high for Tuesday night’s NHL picks even though Pittsburgh is at home. Sure they have been getting some solid goaltending from DeSmith in Jarry’s absence, but you’ve got an absolute force coming to town in Edmonton’s top 10 offense.
Oilers at Penguins Betting Prediction
These are two potent offenses squaring off and the total of 6.5 reflects that. It could actually be the defenses and goaltending that decide this one though. Although ESPN won’t like it, the under 6.5 is the way to go in this matchup.
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