NHL weekend preview: Oilers to get back on track
We have a busy weekend ahead. There are 13 games scheduled over the next couple of days as we end 2021 and bring in the new year.
With so many games, there's plenty of value on the board. Let's get into it with our best bets.
Oilers (-150) @ Devils (+130)Dec. 31, 1 p.m. EST
This has all the makings of a high-scoring affair. The Oilers have struggled to keep the puck out of the net lately, ranking 26th in five-on-five goals against over the last 10 games.
The Devils have fared even worse over their last 10, conceding 30 five-on-five goals, which is more than all but the tanking Coyotes. Both sides are giving up goals in bunches.
I don't see that changing in this game. Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the Oilers' high-powered - yet top-heavy - offense should have its way against this Devils team. Even if they don't generate chances in bunches, Mackenzie Blackwood hasn't shown the ability to limit the damage, owning an .884 save percentage since mid-November. Not great!
On the flip side, the Oilers have dealt with some issues defensively. Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes, for once, are both healthy at the same time. The pair combined for four points in Hischier's return to the lineup last time out and should spearhead the top-six to give the Devils a pair of capable scoring lines.
Expect goals in this game.
Bet: Over 6 goals (-130)
Oilers (-105) @ Islanders (-115)Jan. 1, 2 p.m. EST
The Oilers have hit a rough patch. They're entering the weekend with just three wins over the last 10 games. Luckily, there are reasons to believe a turnaround could be coming.
For one, they've controlled better than 52% of the expected goals at five-on-five during this streak, so a minus-10 goal differential and 37.5% goal share hardly seem warranted. If they continue to control the run of play to this extent, the results are going to regress positively sooner than later.
They're also getting some much-needed reinforcements, with Darnell Nurse and Jesse Puljujarvi being activated from the COVID-19 list and expected to return against New Jersey.
For his faults, Nurse is one of the team's best defensemen, while Puljujarvi is nearly a point-per-game player who should offer real support to McDavid and Draisaitl with the scoring help they need.
All things being equal, I think the Oilers are a better side than the Islanders. And when you factor in some of the absences New York is dealing with - Ryan Pulock, Brock Nelson, Kyle Palmieri - I'm not sure it's close.
Bet: Oilers up to -125
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @ToddCordell.
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