Edmonton Oilers vs Vegas Golden Knights 5/3/2023 Expert Picks, Previews and Analysis
West 2nd Round – Game 1, Series starts 5/3
In the Second Round of the playoffs, the Edmonton Oilers are gearing up to face the Vegas Golden Knights, both hoping for a strong performance in Game One. The Oilers made it to the Second Round after beating the Los Angeles Kings in six games. The Oilers’ offense was exceptional in the First Round, scoring a total of 25 goals, including an impressive 16 goals in the last three games. The duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl led the charge with a combined 10 goals and 11 assists. The Oilers’ offense also received significant contributions from Zach Hyman, Evander Kane, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who had a combined total of five goals and seven assists.
Defensemen Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm also helped out with two goals and 12 assists from the point. Despite their offensive success, the Oilers’ defense struggled in the First Round, allowing a total of 20 goals. While Bouchard, Ekholm, and Darnell Nurse played well on the top two pairings, the remaining defensive unit struggled to prevent their opponents from finding open shots on goal. Additionally, Stuart Skinner had a difficult time in the First Round, posting a .890 save percentage, a 3.43 goals-against average, and a -2.9 goals saved above average.
- The Edmonton Oilers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games on the road against Vegas.
- The total went OVER in 5 of Edmonton’s last 6 games played in May.
- The total hung OVER in 6 of Edmonton’s last 9 games played on a Wednesday when on the road.
Edmonton Oilers vs Vegas Golden Knights 5/3/2023 Expert Picks, Previews and Analysis
The Vegas Golden Knights have been in top form in the playoffs, with their offense and defense both firing on all cylinders. Led by Chandler Stephenson and Mark Stone, the team has put up 19 goals in just five games, with William Karlsson, Jack Eichel, and Brett Howden also making significant contributions. And it’s not just the forwards who are getting in on the action, as Alex Pietrangelo and Shea Theodore have also been key players, racking up eight assists from the blue line.
The Golden Knights’ defense has also been impressive, with Pietrangelo and Theodore forming a strong top pairing, while McNabb, Martinez, and Whitecloud have been effective at creating turnovers and limiting their opponents’ shots on goal. In goal, Laurent Brossoit has been a standout performer, with a .915 save percentage and a 2.42 goals-against average on 153 shots faced, saving 1.3 goals above average.
- The Vegas Golden Knights are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games at home against Edmonton.
- The total went OVER in 4 of Vegas’ last 6 games against an opponent in the Western Conference.
- The total hung OVER in 4 of Vegas’ last 6 games played in May.
Edmonton Oilers vs Vegas Golden Knights. The NHL pick for this game is the Edmonton Oilers. The Edmonton Oilers had a bit of a shaky start in the First Round against the Los Angeles Kings, but they’re ready to put that behind them and show the world what they’re made of. Led by superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, who topped the league in scoring during the regular season, the Oilers are poised to make a deep playoff run. They’ll have to bring their A-game against the Vegas Golden Knights, but their recent record against them is promising. In fact, the Oilers have won four out of their last five matchups, including their last four games on Vegas’ home ice. With all that in mind, I’m predicting that the Oilers will come out on top with a final score of 5-3.
NHL Starting Time: 9:30 PM (EDT)
Location: T-Mobile Arena, NY
Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023
TV: ESPN
NHL Odds: Edmonton Oilers -115
NHL Totals: 6.5
