Vancouver Canucks @ Edmonton Oilers
Vancouver Canucks will face today a Northwest Division rival, the Edmonton Oilers. So, we shouldn't analyse any trends because in this game anything can happen, but if we want to find here a spot to pick, it should be only about how teams are. The Canucks, 0-3 when playing away. The Oilers, have lost 2 games at home in 5. Both of them hosted the rivals Calgary Flames.
Edmonton is playing well as they get stronger game after game. They lost 2 of their 3 first season games, both of them at home against the rivals Flames. Since then, they only lost at Chicago against the Blackhawks. That 3 losses, were by the minimum margin. They are playing well, scoring 3.86 goals per game, and keeping a good defense.
Vancouver is getting stronger at offense after game after game, but they are not reliable at defense. As visitors, they lost all their games for 2 or more goals. The last game they went out, it was against a rival too, the Flames, and end up losing 3-5.
So, we have here a game between two different teams. The Canucks only see forward, but Oilers can see offense as well as defense. For Oilers, we will have Hemsky returning, and Souray is questionable yet. For Canucks, D. Sedin, and Salo will join Demitra in the injured/disabled list.
Between a team strong on both sides of the field, with the best players at the game and the need to make their first derby win, this should be a relatively easy game. Vancouver don't know yet how to win on the road and still has to improve the defense. Sedin and Salo are important missing players. I even think Khabibulin is a better goaltender and in a better shape than Luongo.
If this game was not so important for both teams (Canucks need to win outside, Oilers need to win against a rival at home), and a derby, then the over would be a great play as well. But this will be a hot game, to enjoy and push for Oilers. They are confident, and the Canucks should feel the absences of D. Sedin and Salo.
Pick: Edmonton Oilers 3Way (1X2) +135 (2.35) Bookmaker
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