Oilers vs. Ducks Game 1 Pick
Will the Anaheim Ducks stay perfect in the NHL Playoffs when they host the Edmonton Oilers tonight at 10:30PM ET in Game 1 of their series?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Ducks are the favorite in today’s game, as they are getting odds of -135 to win, while the Oilers are listed with a money line of +115 to prevail. The over/under total for the game is listed at 5 goals. These two met five times during the season, with the Oilers picking up the win in three of the five games. The home team won four of the five meetings as well.
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The Ducks advanced to the second round of the series thanks to a sweep of the Flames in the first round. Anaheim has now won eight straight games to get to 50-23-13 overall and 31-8-4 at home. The Ducks are averaging 2.72 goals per game while allowing 2.40. Ryan Getzlaf, Rickard Rakell and Shea Theodore each had five points in the first series. John Gibson appeared in all four games and stopped 92.6 percent of the shots he faced with a 2.59 GAA. He was pulled in one game for Jonathan Bernier, but Gibson is still Anaheim’s guy.
The Oilers won their first playoff series since 2006 when they defeated the San Jose Sharks in six games. Edmonton is now 51-27-10 overall and 24-15-5 on the road. The Oilers are averaging 2.90 goals per game this season while giving up 2.51. Edmonton had a very balanced scoring attack against San Jose. No player had more than four points, with Connor McDavid leading the way at two goals and two assists. Cam Talbot had a 2.03 GAA in the series while stopping 92.7 percent of the shots he faced.
The Oilers did win a pair of games at San Jose, but I think they are in over their head today against the Ducks. Anaheim was rolling right along in their playoff series and they haven’t lost a game since April 1. I am not ready to pick against Anaheim at home until someone hands them a loss.
NHL PLAYOFFS PREDICTION: ANAHEIM DUCKS -135