Edmonton Oilers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Oilers are having a great season with their offense leading the way, scoring 3.53 goals per game including 17 goals in the last five games. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have scored 55 goals and 124 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has been great as well. Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evander Kane have combined for 79 goals and 63 assists while defensemen Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm have added 19 goals and 77 assists from the point to open up the offense.The offense has been great but the defense has also stepped up, allowing only 2.88 goals per game with only seven goals in the last five games. Ekholm and Bouchard have combined for 8.0 defensive point shares and 154 blocked shots while Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci have combined for 5.6 defensive point shares to add depth to the unit. In addition, goaltender Stuart Skinner has been great with a .906 save percentage and a 2.60 goals-against average on 1219 shots with 3.8 goals saved above average.
The Blue Jackets are having an awful season with their offense stumbling and scoring only 2.98 goals per game. Johnny Gaudreau, Kirill Marchenko, and Dmitri Voronkov have combined for 43 goals and 64 assists but the rest of the offense has struggled. Only seven skaters have scored 10 goals or more and opponents can limit the top-heavy offense as a result.The offense has struggled but the defense has been a mess, allowing 3.66 goals per game including eight goals in the last two games. Zach Werenski and Ivan Provorov have combined for 4.1 defensive point shares but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to find open shots on the net with ease. In addition, goaltender Daniil Tarasov has struggled with a .891 save percentage and a 3.58 goals-against average on 486 shots with -6.1 goals saved above average.
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Best Bets for this Game
Insiders Status:
The Oilers have been rolling and I see them taking over this game from the first period. The Oilers, who average 3.53 goals per game, should pile on the goals against the Blue Jackets, who allow 3.66 goals per game, with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Oilers, who allow only 2.88 goals per game, should limit the Blue Jackets offense, which averages only 2.98 goals per game, with Evan Bouchard, Mattias Ekholm, and the rest of the defensive unit creating turnovers in the defensive zone and limiting shots on the net, allowing goaltender Stuart Skinner to make plenty of big saves. The Oilers should win the game and cover the spread in a dominant win on the road to extend their winning streak to six games.
Prediction: Oilers -1.5 (-105)
Insiders Status:
The Oilers are led by their offense and I see this game being a high-scoring one from the opening puck drop. The Blue Jackets should create plenty of scoring chances with Johnny Gaudreau, Kirill Marchenko, and the rest of the forward unit carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating open shots with quick passes. The Oilers, who have scored 17 goals in the last five games, should run up the score against the Blue Jackets, who have allowed eight goals in their last two games, with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Zach Hyman, and the rest of the forward unit crashing the net on the rush and creating open shots with effective puck movement while defensemen Evan Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm pick apart the Blue Jackets defense from the point. The Over should cover in a high-scoring game with both offenses stepping up.
