Oilers vs. Canucks prediction: NHL odds, pick, best bets

Expectations have never been higher for the Edmonton Oilers during the Connor McDavid era.

After back-to-back 100-point seasons, the Oilers are one of the co-favorites to win the 2023-24 Stanley Cup, along with the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche and Toronto Maple Leafs, and there are a lot of pundits, fans and bettors picking them to win the Stanley Cup.

And while it’s hard to envision a scenario where the Oilers don’t have a strong season, it does make you wonder if the hype is perhaps a bit too high on the Oilers ahead of a season-opening game in Vancouver.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers pick

At the time of writing, the Oilers are a -162 favorite over the Canucks.

A team with plenty of firepower that struggled defensively over the past few seasons, the Canucks are expected to improve in their first full season under Rick Tocchet.

Part of the improvement should stem from playing a more structured game under Tocchet, but the biggest reason for optimism in Vancouver is that goaltender Thatcher Demko is healthy and looked in good form during the preseason. 

As long as Demko stays on the ice, the Canucks should stand every chance of competing for a playoff spot this season.

This team has enough offensive firepower to put up some crooked numbers, but its fatal flaw was that it needed to do just that night in and night out because it couldn’t keep the puck out of its own net. 

The Oilers can play any team off the ice on a good day, but I would be shocked if the Canucks come out of their shell much in this contest.

Vancouver has playmakers, but it’s a fool’s errand to trade chances against Edmonton and Tocchet prefers to keep things closer to the vest.

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That style of play should give the Canucks a chance to pull this upset.

The Oilers are rightfully one of the most popular picks/bets to win the Stanley Cup, but it looks like that sentiment has seeped into the betting market a bit too much and has put some value on the Canucks as a home underdog Wednesday night.

The Bet: Vancouver Canucks +136