Oilers vs. Canucks Game 1 prediction: NHL odds, picks, bets

The Edmonton Oilers are in a familiar spot.

After a terrific stretch run and a strong showing in Round 1, they have raised expectations and anything short of a trip to the Stanley Cup would be considered a disappointment for Connor McDavid and Co.

That only became more apparent when the Vancouver Canucks advanced to Round 2 despite being down to No. 3 goaltender Arturs Silovs. 

The Canucks have been a terrific story all season and they shouldn’t be counted out even with star goalie Thatcher Demko missing, but there’s no questioning that the Oilers deserve to be decided favorites (they are -255 at the time of writing) to win this series. 

While the goaltending battle between Silovs and Stuart Skinner will attract plenty of attention, the stylistic matchup between these two teams is what I find most interesting.

Oilers vs. Canucks Game 1 prediction

(10 p.m. ET, ESPN)

After shooting the lights out in the first half of the season, Vancouver adapted to a grind-it-out style of hockey throughout the second half and relied on its structure to win a Pacific Division title.

The Canucks were without Demko down the stretch and knew their defensive game would need to be top-notch if they wanted to make noise in the spring. 

Betting on the NHL?

That philosophy worked well against Nashville in a tight six-game series, but the Canucks will need plenty more offensive punch if they want to contend with the Oilers., who are on a whole other planet compared to the Preds. 

The play: Oilers -130 (BetMGM Sportsbook)