The Vancouver Canucks face a quick turnaround, heading to Rogers Place tonight for a battle with the Edmonton Oilers after eking past the Kraken on Thursday.
The Oilers doubled up the Stars Wednesday, snapping an 0-1-2 skid.
Can the Canucks be a Grinch in Edmonton on tonight, stealing another win before heading into the holidays, or will the Oilers celebrate being home for the holidays with two points? We’ll discuss in our NHL betting picks for Canucks vs. Oilers on Friday, December 23.
Canucks vs Oilers best odds
Canucks vs Oilers picks and predictions
The Canucks snapped out of their offensive funk in a big way, lighting the lamp six times against the Kraken last night. They had amassed a total of six goals in the four preceding outings, including one or no goals in three of those contests.
The Oilers have had no such problems scoring goals lately, going for three or more goals in each of the past five contests, seven of the previous eight, and 12 of 14. They've also covered the puck line of 1.5 in their last five wins.
The Oilers locked up Stuart Skinner to a long-term contract, and he has pushed past Jack Campbell as the primary backstop in Edmonton. Campbell was the guy who secured the bag in the offseason, but he has struggled since arriving in Northern Alberta and has shown no signs of pulling out of his funk.
This is the second of three meetings in the regular season. Edmonton outlasted Vancouver by a 5-3 score in the opener at Rogers Place back on October 12, as Campbell outdueled Thatcher Demko in a game that saw the Over easily connected.
Edmonton has dominated this series lately, winning each of the previous five meetings, including each of the past four at home dating back to May 8, 2021. There is no reason to believe the Canucks will tip the scales in their favor here, either, especially playing on zero rest after an emotional and long game last night.
My best bet: Oilers -1.5 (+114 at BetRivers)
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Canucks vs Oilers puck line analysis
The Canucks covered the puck line as an underdog on Thursday in Seattle, but they’re just 2-4 as an underdog on the puck line in the previous six contests, and Vancouver also failed to cover the line in the opener in the first meeting.
The Oilers do come with a little bit of risk, however, and we’re banking on the Canucks to be a little tired. Edmonton has failed to cover the puck line in 12 of the past 21 games when listed as a favorite, though the Oilers tend to win big when they do come away with a victory.
However, the Canucks have a terrible history when playing on no rest. Vancouver has managed a 15-45 mark in the past 60 games when playing on no rest, and it is 6-13 in the past 19 games against teams with a winning overall mark.
The Oilers have won 32 of the past 44 games inside the Pacific Division, while going 23-7 in the past 30 games against teams with a losing overall record, too.
And in this series, the Canucks have dropped each of the previous five outings, while going just 1-4 in the past five in Edmonton, too. Vancouver just can’t seem to contain Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl & Co. The favorite has also cashed in each of the previous five in this series.
Canucks vs Oilers Over/Under analysis
The Canucks are projected to go with Spencer Martin in net again. He has made 10 consecutive starts, and he allowed five goals on 36 shots on Thursday night. Martin has been holding down the fort with Thatcher Demko nursing a lower-body injury.
The Oilers are in good shape for this reason, too, as they’re either going to face a worn-down Martin or journeyman Collin Delia. Either way, the arrow points squarely in the favor of the Oilers for the win, and either backstop should give up plenty of goals to the high-octane Oilers.
The Over is 22-8-1 in the past 31 games on the road for the Canucks, while cashing in four of the past five games when playing on no rest. The Over is 18-7-2 in the past 27 games overall for the Oilers, too, while hitting at a 30-12-2 clip in the past 44 games at home and 5-2-1 in the past eight games inside the Pacific Division.
The Oilers on the puck line and Over 6.5 make for a really nice parlay opportunity.
Canucks vs Oilers betting trend to know
The Canucks have lost each of the past five meetings with the Oilers while going 1-4 in the past five skates at Rogers Place. Find more NHL betting trends for Canucks vs Oilers.
Canucks vs Oilers game info
| Location: | Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB |
| Date: | Friday, December 23, 2022 |
| Puck drop: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet |
Canucks vs Oilers key injuries
