Pittsburgh Penguins at Edmonton Oilers odds, picks and predictions

The Pittsburgh Penguins (27-23-8) take on the Edmonton Oilers (36-20-2) Sunday at Rogers Place. Puck drop is set for 9 p.m. ET (ESPN+/Hulu). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Penguinsvs. Oilers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

The Pens complete their Northwest/Canada trip following a 4-3 loss at the Calgary Flames Saturday. They beat the Vancouver Canucks to start the trip and lost to the Seattle Kraken afterwards. The Pens are 10 points out of a Wild Card berth and fading fast as the trade deadline looms.

The Oilers have won 3 in a row after a 3-game losing streak. They, too, played Saturday in a 2-1 victory in Seattle. C Leon Draisaitl scored his 30th goal Saturday. C Connor McDavid had an assist 1 game after snapping a 10-game goalless drought against the St. Louis Blues. He probably narrowly avoided being benched for that… not in this lifetime.

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Penguins at Oilers odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:12 p.m. ET.

Penguins at Oilers projected goalies

Alex Nedeljkovic (9-4-4, 2.67 GAA, .915 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Calvin Pickard (7-3-0, 2.53 GAA, .905 SV%, 1 SO)

Nedeljkovic has been idle since allowing 5 to the New York Islanders Feb. 20 in a 5-4 loss. He had just 3 starts in February as the team rode starter Tristan Jarry hard trying to stay afloat. Nedeljkovic was 1-1-1 with a 3.02 GAA and .901 SV% in February.

Pickard last saw the ice in a 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild Feb. 23. He stopped 16 of 19 in the defeat. He won his other 2 starts in February, and he allowed 3 goals in each for a 3.02 GAA and .877 SV%.

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Penguins at Oilers picks and predictions

Prediction

Oilers 5, Penguins 3

The Pens started Jarry against Calgary, possibly thinking they had a better chance to beat the Flames over the Oilers. They dropped that game, and now their backup must enter the crucible that is Rogers Place.

Personally, I feel comfortable enough to take Oilers -190 here. But, let’s make a logical, more fruitful decision here. Take a simple SGP of OILERS ML + OVER 4.5 (-121) at a much better price. Two backup goalies are likely to be working their core muscles watching pucks fly behind them. The last 5 meetings have had 6+ goals as well.

Edmonton has won 4 straight meetings by an average margin of 3.75 goals. The Pens are fading, and their spirits are likely down for the count after losing to Calgary.

You can take OILERS -1.5 (+125) here.

If you don’t want to depend on a backup tendy, I also like SIDNEY CROSBY OVER 3.5 SHOTS (+100). He has 4+ SOG in 4 straight as he tries to put the team on his back. He’ll also step up for the challenge against McDavid.

As mentioned, the last 5 meetings have hit 6+ goals. Of those, 4 of the 5 hit the 7+ we’ll need to hit the Over. The Pens are 5-5 O/U over the last 10, and Edmonton is 6-4.

With backup tendies in tow, take the OVER 6.5 (-105).