Free Picks: Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks

It’s been a disappointing season for Vancouver, but they can end on a high note. Preparing to take on the Edmonton Oilers, will Edmonton’s lineup look vastly different from their projected playoff lineup? The Oilers are ready for playoff hockey but have one last roadblock in the regular season. The key is to stay healthy, which is why I look at the underdog in this one.

The Edmonton Oilers are primed for the NHL playoffs but still have one regular-season game remaining. As for the Vancouver Canucks, they will be watching the Stanley Cup from the outside. 

Saturday afternoon, the Oilers and Canucks meet for one last time in the regular season. 

Head-to-head, the Oilers have had the Canucks’ number this season. Edmonton is 3-6 against Vancouver this season, totaling 57 goals in 9 games. 

For this NHL prediction, I think we need to strike and hit a perfect opportunity. I see a lot of positives going into this game.  

The first thing I really like is that Edmonton has already punched their ticket into the postseason. This means Edmonton HAS to sit all of their starters. For a meaningless game, the Oilers’ number one priority is to stay healthy. 

I also like the value. For my BetPicks predictions, I don’t usually select underdogs, but this is hard to ignore. The Canucks are listed at +163 on the Moneyline.  

While the Oilers have struck in nearly every category against the Canucks this season, I think the biggest factor in this game will be Edmonton’s lineup. 

Right now, the Canucks are listed as underdogs and I think we take that bet.

For all of Vancouver’s flaws this season, Edmonton needs to think about the future. While no one wants to see an injury during the last game of the regular season, it’s in the back of the minds of every player. 

Edmonton will be forced to play cautiously Saturday afternoon. Win or lose, they are in the playoffs. This is why I expect Vancouver to leave it all out on the ice and do damage to Edmonton one last time in the regular season.

• Vancouver is 12-12-2 at home this season. 
• The Canucks defeated Edmonton, 6-3 on May 8. 
• 15 of Vancouver’s wins this season have been as the underdog.