Colorado Avalanche will host the Edmonton Oilers in Thursday’s action of the NHL playoffs. The hosts want to take full advantage of playing on the home ice and increase their lead. The away side seeks improvement in defense after the opening game, and they eye a surprise in this one.
Colorado started the conference finals successfully, and they want to build up on Tuesday’s performance. The home side hopes to continue in the same fashion and go on a trip with a 2-0 lead. On the other hand, Edmonton had defensive issues in Game 1, which they want to resolve. The visitors look forward to improving their game and securing a positive result in this encounter.
Colorado Avalanche – Can they increase their lead?
The Avalanche prevented any chance for an upset in the series opener, celebrating an 8-6 victory on Tuesday evening. Although they trailed twice in the first period, the hosts managed to finish it being one goal ahead. Colorado increased its advantage to 7-4 before entering the last 20 minutes of the clash, and Edmonton didn’t have enough strength to equalize. Despite winning five faceoffs less than the Oilers, the Avs fired ten shots more towards the opponent’s goal than Edmonton. If they keep a high level of composure, the home side will be closer to another success in this series.
Cale Makar tops the Avs’ offensive charts with 16 points, being the team’s best assistant with 12. Nathan MacKinnon has contributed to Colorado’s offense with 15 pts and has a team-high nine goals, while Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog have 13 points each. Devon Toews and Nazem Kadri have crossed the 10-point margin, Valeri Nichushkin has seven pts, while three other skaters have chipped in with six points apiece. Regarding the goaltending, Darcy Kuemper concedes 2.65 goals per match and has a .897 save percentage.
Expected Line-Up: Darcy Kuemper, Erik Johnson, Cale Makar, Nazem Kadri, Andre Burakovsky, Nathan MacKinnon
with best odds
Edmonton Oilers – Will they improve defending?
The Oilers had a very good offensive display in Game 1, but scoring six goals wasn’t enough to clinch a win in the conference finals opener. They had a lead twice in the first period, but the visitors couldn’t keep their backline tight. Edmonton conceded four goals in the second third, and at that point, they couldn’t endanger their rivals much. The Oilers won five faceoffs more than their opponents, but they allowed 47 shots toward their goal, which cost them a victory. Nevertheless, a tightened defense might increase their chances of winning this encounter.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are the best assistants on the team with 31 each, while combining for a total of 57 points in the post-season. Evander Kane tops the scorers’ charts with 13 goals and 17 pts, while Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have 13 points apiece. Evan Bouchard is one point away from the 10-mark, while two other skaters have contributed to Edmonton’s offense with seven pts each. On the other hand, Mike Smith saves 91.7% of the rival’s shots and allows 3.12 goals per game.
Expected Line-Up: Mike Smith, Tyson Barrie, Evan Bouchard, Connor McDavid, Warren Foegele, Leon Draisaitl
Expert Pick #1 – Over 7 @-140
The first encounter between these two teams produced fireworks, and I don’t think Game 2 will be much different. I expect another high-scoring game, and although the margin is high for the playoffs, I’ll back the Over as my first pick.
Expert Pick #2 – Edmonton Oilers to Win @+155
Colorado is a favorite in this one, but I cannot resist an excellent price on the visitors. Edmonton showed they could cope with the Avs, and their explosive offense could pose more trouble to the home side. Therefore, I’ll take my chances and side with the Oilers as my second bet on the plus money odds.
Expert Pick #3 – Oilers to Win & Both Over 1.5 @+295
My third pick for this encounter is pretty risky, but I’ll try a long shot here. I see both teams finding the back of the opponent’s net at least twice in the match, and if the visitors win, we can count on very lucrative returns.
