In a game between two teams currently on three-game winning streaks, the Edmonton Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks clash at the United Center. Sportsnet West will showcase this Western Conference matchup, which gets underway at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 5.
Edmonton Oilers at Chicago Blackhawks Odds
The money line for either team is currently set at an identical -110 and Iowa Sportsbooks have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals. If bettors want to wager on this game’s total, they’ll be looking at odds of -105 for the over and -115 on the under.
Edmonton is 36-31 straight up (SU) and has earned 7.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 67 regular season matches, 32 of its games have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under and just four have pushed. This 2019-20 Oilers team is 20-16 SU on the road.
Edmonton currently has the first-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 29.9 percent of its extra-man chances this year. Additionally, its penalty kill is ranked third overall, and the team’s successfully killed off 84.4 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, Edmonton has been called for penalties 3.4 times per game overall this season, 3.2 per game over its last five games total, and 3.4 per game over its last five on the road. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 8.0 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Boasting a .913 save percentage and 27.9 saves per game, Mikko Koskinen (18-17-2) has been the top option in goal for Edmonton this year. If Edmonton chooses to rest him, however, the team might go with Mike Smith (19-18-6 record, .905 save percentage, 2.88 goals against average).
Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid will both lead the offensive attack for the visiting Oilers. Draisaitl (108 points) is up to 43 goals and 65 assists, and has recorded multiple points in 32 different games. McDavid has 32 goals and 63 assists to his credit (and has notched at least one point in 45 games).
On the other side of the rink, Chicago is 30-36 straight up (SU) and has netted 0.7 units for moneyline bettors this season. 33 of its matches have gone under the total, while 32 have gone over and just one has pushed. It’s 14-17 SU at home this year.
Chicago has converted on just 15.0 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that places it in the bottom overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked seventh overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all opponent power plays.
The Blackhawks have been penalized 3.5 times per game this season, 3.4 per game over their past five outings total, and 4.0 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Corey Crawford has denied 30.1 shots per game as the top option in goal for Chicago. Crawford has 14 wins, 22 losses, and three OT losses to his credit and has registered a .916 save percentage and 2.82 goals against average this season.
The home team will be led on offense by Patrick Kane (29 goals, 51 assists).
Edmonton Oilers vs. Chicago Blackhawks Betting Predictions
NHL Pick: SU Winner – Oilers, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
For both of these clubs, the over has hit in three of their last five games.
Edmonton has managed 30.8 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while Chicago is averaging 35.0 shots per game over its last five at home.
Penalties and power plays may prove to be even more key than usual tonight. The Oilers are 15-9 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 27-22 in games where they serve fewer than 10 penalty minutes, in total. The Blackhawks are 8-14 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 20-26 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Edmonton is 2-2 in games decided by a shootout this season while Chicago is 4-4 in shootouts.
Chicago is ranked 8th this season with 8.3 takeaways per game. That figure’s trended down lately, however, as the team has managed 7.5 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.2 takeaways over its last five.
Edmonton has averaged 3.2 goals per game overall this year, but is scoring 4.3 per match up over their three-game winning streak.
Edmonton is ranked seventh overall with 8.3 takeaways per game. That figure has trended lower, however, as it has created 6.7 takeaways over its last 10 games and 7.2 takeaways over its last five.
Edmonton might have an advantage if this one comes down to the wire. The team’s 15-11 in one-goal games, while Chicago is only 10-16 in such games.