The Vancouver Canucks can punch their ticket to the Western Conference Finals with a win over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 tonight. Oddsmakers expect this series to go the distance, however, listing the Oilers as -200 in the NHL odds.
No team has been able to win back-to-back games in the entire series, but can that change in Game 6? Read below for my free NHL picks and Canucks vs Oilers predictions for Saturday, May 18.
Make sure to also check out our favorite Canucks vs. Oilers prop picks before puck drop!
Canucks vs Oilers prediction
My best bet
Canucks +1.5 (-155 at Sports Interaction)
My analysis
For the first time in these playoffs, the Vancouver Canucks finally got some decent rubber to the net to test the opposition goaltender. Sporting the lowest shot total through the first 10 games of a postseason in NHL history, they peppered to Calvin Pickard with 35 shots on goal in Game 5.
The reward came in the final minute of the third period, when J.T. Miller banged home a rebound to give the Canucks a 3-2 lead — their first of the night — giving them an eventual 3-2 series lead.
While Miller came through for the Canucks, it was the second time in three games that Connor McDavid failed to put up a point. Not surprisingly, the Edmonton Oilers lost both of those games.
Despite who's scoring or not, though, there has been hardly any separation between these teams. Edmonton enjoyed a 4-1 lead in Game 1, only to see Vancouver score four unanswered to win. The Canucks couldn't hold three separate one-goal leads in Game 2 and eventually lost in overtime. Vancouver's largest lead in a game this series was a two-goal margin in Game 3, but it barely hung on to win that game, 4-3.
It was another see-saw affair in Game 4, with the Canucks pulling Arturs Silovs and scoring the tying goal, only for Edmonton to tally with under a minute to play to win 3-2.
I'm not sure who is going to win this game, but it should be tight. Vancouver has played in eight straight one-goal games, with the Oilers having seen one-goal decisions seven times in a row.
Canucks vs Oilers same-game parlay (SGP)
Canucks +1.5
J.T. Miller anytime goal
Leon Draisaitl anytime goal
Dejected at his late-game performance that helped Edmonton score with under a minute to go in Game 4, Miller was arguably the best Canuck on the ice in Game 5. His game-winning goal has the Canucks on the brink of the West Final, and he's been a consistent force against Edmonton, picking up points in four of the five games in the series.
Miller has a knack for finding the net against the Oil. In the regular season, he tallied twice and had seven points. Overall, he's potted nine goals in his last 13 against Edmonton. I think he can go back-to-back on Saturday night.
Let's finish with Leon Draisaitl, who's at the top of the NHL playoff scoring leaders list. He's scored in both Oiler wins and has just a single goal in Edmonton's three losses.
Draisaitl is lethal in the postseason while on the man advantage, scoring six times in 10 games. The triggerman should come through in a must-win Game 6.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Canucks vs Oilers odds
Canucks vs Oilers live odds
Canucks vs Oilers opening odds
- Puck line: Vancouver +1.5 | Edmonton -1.5
- Moneyline: Vancouver +167 | Edmonton -191
- Over/Under: Over 6 | Under 6
Canucks vs Oilers moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- The Oilers are 52-31 this season as moneyline favorites.
- Vancouver has won seven of the last nine head-to-head matchups.
- After three straight Overs to start the series, the Under has cashed in back-to-back games.
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Canucks vs Oilers trend
Edmonton has been the moneyline favorite in each of its 10 playoff games this postseason, losing .40 units for their backers in that span. Find more NHL betting trends for Canucks vs. Oilers.
Canucks vs Oilers game info
| Location: | Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB |
| Date: | Saturday, 5-18-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ESPN, SN, CBC |
Canucks vs Oilers latest injuries
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