PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* Coach's Clinic >> SIZZLING 8-1 NHL Run!
(NHL) Edmonton vs. Vancouver,
Money Line: -130.00 Edmonton (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -130.00 Edmonton (Away)
Result: Loss
The set-up: The 34-37-6 Edmonton Oilers and the 28-40-9 Vancouver Canucks have both been eliminated from the postseason and will meet tonight at Rogers Arena. However, there is interest in this contest, as Edmonton's Connor McDavid is starting to pull away in his quest for a second straight Art Ross Trophy, reaching a career-high 102 points after posting six goals and seven assists during a five-game point streak. As for the Canucks, they expect to have recently signed forward Adam Gaudette in the lineup for his NHL debut against the Oilers. Gaudette led the NCAA in goals (30) and points (60), while being named Hockey East Player of the Year for Northeastern. He was picked in the fifth round in 2015 and has scored 56 times in the last two seasons, taking the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament last weekend before signing Monday.
Edmonton: The Oilers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period on Tuesday before suffering a 7-3 loss to Columbus at home, despite three more points from red-hot captain Connor McDavid (40 goals and 62 assists). McDavid has joined a group including Wayne Gretzky, Dale Hawerchuk, Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, Joe Sakic and Jimmy Carson with multiple 100-point seasons before their 22nd birthday.
Leon Draisaitl is two points from his second straight 70-point season (24 goals & 44assists) and McDavid's new linemate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (22 goals & 23 assists) boasts two goals and five assists in the past five contests. Allowing goals, rather than scoring them, has been the main reason for Edmonton's disappointing season. The Oilers have given up the third-most goals in the league this season (249 or 3.24 per) after allowing 207 in 2016-17, the eighth-fewest in the NHL.
Vancouver: The Canucks have played the spoiler role well the last two games, getting a pair of 4-1 victories against playoff hopefuls Dallas and Anaheim. Goalie Jacob Markstrom (21-26-6, 2.72 GAA & .912 SP) has allowed only four goals in winning his last three starts to reach 20 victories (21) for the first time in his career. Center Henrik Sedin (3 goals / 44 assists) has a goal and three assists over the last four games and sits three points from his 12th straight full season with at least 50 points. His brother Daniel has 51 points and Brock Boeser leads the team in goals (29) and points (55).
The pick: Vancouver has no "spoiler" motivation here, as the Oilers are already out of the playoffs. Vancouver is a poor 13-18-6 at home, where it has allowed 3.41 GPG. That doesn't spell good news, as the Oilers are 7-1-2 in their last 10 meetings with the Canucks. Make Edmonton a 10* play.
Edmonton: The Oilers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period on Tuesday before suffering a 7-3 loss to Columbus at home, despite three more points from red-hot captain Connor McDavid (40 goals and 62 assists). McDavid has joined a group including Wayne Gretzky, Dale Hawerchuk, Mario Lemieux, Sidney Crosby, Joe Sakic and Jimmy Carson with multiple 100-point seasons before their 22nd birthday.
Leon Draisaitl is two points from his second straight 70-point season (24 goals & 44assists) and McDavid's new linemate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (22 goals & 23 assists) boasts two goals and five assists in the past five contests. Allowing goals, rather than scoring them, has been the main reason for Edmonton's disappointing season. The Oilers have given up the third-most goals in the league this season (249 or 3.24 per) after allowing 207 in 2016-17, the eighth-fewest in the NHL.
Vancouver: The Canucks have played the spoiler role well the last two games, getting a pair of 4-1 victories against playoff hopefuls Dallas and Anaheim. Goalie Jacob Markstrom (21-26-6, 2.72 GAA & .912 SP) has allowed only four goals in winning his last three starts to reach 20 victories (21) for the first time in his career. Center Henrik Sedin (3 goals / 44 assists) has a goal and three assists over the last four games and sits three points from his 12th straight full season with at least 50 points. His brother Daniel has 51 points and Brock Boeser leads the team in goals (29) and points (55).
The pick: Vancouver has no "spoiler" motivation here, as the Oilers are already out of the playoffs. Vancouver is a poor 13-18-6 at home, where it has allowed 3.41 GPG. That doesn't spell good news, as the Oilers are 7-1-2 in their last 10 meetings with the Canucks. Make Edmonton a 10* play.
