The spotlight is firmly on the Edmonton Oilers going into their opening round series with the Anaheim Ducks tonight
In an up and down season in Edmonton, another chapter in the Oilers’ path to a Stanley Cup while the organization still has superstar Connor McDavid under contract begins tonight.
The Oilers finished second in the Pacific Division, after McDavid back in March described the race for first, among four teams (Vegas Golden Knights, Oilers, Anaheim Ducks, LA Kings), as a “pillow fight”. The Golden Knights ended up on top.
The Maple Leafs are going through something similar with their superstar captain, Auston Matthews – a rapidly closing competitive window, with both players signed to shorter-term contracts.
Matthews is signed through the 2027-28 season, at $13.25 million per year. McDavid signed just a two-year deal last fall, through 2027-28 as well, at $12.5 million per season. That one feels like a show-me contract aimed at Oilers’ management.
The Oilers kick off their best-of-seven first round NHL playoff series tonight at home against the Anaheim Ducks. The Oilers are solid favorites at Betway to win the series, at -225, but a lot of that is going to come down to the state of their goaltending, and the health of Leon Draisaitl (35 G, 62 A, in 65 GP), out since March 15 with a knee injury.
While there is no official word as yet on Draisaitl from the organization, a Sportsnet reporter, who has been watching Oilers’ practices, says he is convinced Draisaitl will play tonight, based on how he has looked on the ice.
“I feel good,” Draisaitl told Sportsnet. “We’ll see how it feels tomorrow (today), and then we’ll make a call from there. But it’s just the best time of year. The adrenaline takes a lot of pain away.”
Draisaitl is a superstar as well, of course, is the focus of the Oilers’ power play, and will team up with McDavid on a super line on occasion. With McDavid centring Stu Hyman and Matthew Savoie on the first line, Draisaitl anchors the second line, centring Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen. The German alters the entire chemistry of the lineup.
The real Achilles Heel for the Oilers will be goaltending. Tristan Jarry hasn’t worked out after the big trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Connor Ingram (32 GP, 16 W, 2 SO, 2.60 GAA, .899 SV%) has been given the keys, and likely starts tonight.
BEST BETS
Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars, 9:30 p.m. EST, American Airline Center, Dallas, TX
Stars Moneyline +135
At Betway, the Stars are -130 favourites on the Moneyline, the Wild +110. Against the Spread: Stars -1.5 (+185), Wild +1.5 (-236). Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (Over is -125, Under is +105).
Road teams dominated the first games in the NHL’s opening round playoff series. Even in Buffalo, last night, the Boston Bruins were comfortably ahead 2-0 well into the third period, off some stellar goaltending by Jeremy Swayman, before the Sabres exploded in just over four minutes to take it 4-3.
The Wild blew out the Stars 6-1 on Saturday, in Dallas. That won’t happen tonight.
Prop: Kirill Kaprizov to Score a Goal, +140
Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes, 7:30 p.m. EST, Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
Under 5.5
At Betway, the Hurricanes are -150 favourites on the Moneyline, the Senators +125. Against the Spread: Hurricanes -1.5 (+155), Senators +1.5 (-200). Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (Over is -125, Under is +105).
No way Ottawa is going to want to run and gun with the Hurricanes on Carolina home ice, being down in the series. That, plus the fact both goalies, the Hurricanes’ Frederick Andersen (22 saves, 1.000 SV%, first star of the game), and the Senators’ Linus Ullmark (27 saves, .931 SV%), were both really good in Game 1 (2-0 Hurricanes), adds up to another tight checking, low scoring game. Ottawa had just 22 shots, Carolina 29, in Game 1.
Prop: Brady Tkachuk to Score a Goal, +220
Anaheim Ducks at Edmonton Oilers 10 p.m. EST, Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB
Oilers ATS -1.5
At Betway, the Oilers are -175 favourites on the Moneyline, the Ducks +145. Against the Spread: Golden Knights -1.5 (+155), Mammoth +1.5 (-200). Over/Under (O/U): 5.5 (Over is -140, Under is +110).
The Ducks had a tough time keeping the puck out of their net down the stretch, and with an Oilers’ team looking to make a point out of the gate, on home, this will be a high-scoring game.
Prop: McDavid Over 1.5 points, -130
