The Edmonton Oilers were a win away from capturing Lord Stanley's Cup, and the front office went all in this summer to bolster the lineup. If there’s a box, the Oil check it, and another deep postseason run is in the cards this spring.
I’ve analyzed the odds at Bet99 to offer a number of Edmonton Oilers predictions and NHL picks to target for the 2024-25 season.
Edmonton Oilers odds and outlook for 2024-25
All odds courtesy of BET99, as of 10-8.
- 2023-24 record: 49-27-6 (104 points)
- Key additions: Viktor Arvidsson, Jeff Skinner, Matthew Savoie, Vasily Podkolzin, Ty Emberson
- Key subtractions: Sam Carrick, Vincent Desharnais, Warren Foegele, Jack Campbell, Ryan McLeod, Dylan Holloway, Philip Broberg
- Stanley Cup odds: +800
- Western Conference odds: +365
- Pacific Division odds: +110
Edmonton Oilers projected lineup
Forwards
- Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Connor McDavid - Zach Hyman
- Mattias Janmark - Leon Draisaitl - Viktor Arvidsson
- Jeff Skinner - Adam Henrique - Connor Brown
- Vasily Podkolzin - Derek Ryan (undisclosed) - Corey Perry
- Injured: Evander Kane (hip)
Defense
- Mattias Ekholm - Evan Bouchard
- Darnell Nurse - Ty Emberson
- Brett Kulak - Troy Stecher
- Travis Dermott
Goalies
- Stuart Skinner
- Calvin Pickard
Oilers regular season points prediction
The Edmonton Oilers started 2-9-1 last season and finished with 104 points. They posted a league-best 46-18-5 run following the hiring of head coach Kris Knoblauch while also ranking third in Corsi For percentage and second in expected goals percentage at 5-on-5.
Edmonton played at a 115.3-point pace with Knoblauch behind the bench, and there’s a solid case this season’s lineup is even better. Star defenseman Evan Bouchard is entering his prime, and a full season of two-way center Adam Henrique playing meaningful minutes is a huge boost, as well.
Wingers Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson bolster the secondary scoring, while first-round picks Mathew Savoie and Vasily Podkolzin could prove to benefit from their change of scenery as the season progresses.
Superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl obviously do the heavy lifting, and I anticipate wingers Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins continuing to be go-to scorers, too.
The question mark is in goal, and starting goalie Stuart Skinner struggled for stretches last year. Still, I consider him a reliable starter, and he's flashed the potential to be a go-to No. 1. Plus, the Oilers can score their way out of trouble when needed.
Prediction: Over 108.5 points (-110 at BET99)
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Oilers playoff prediction
Racking up triple-digit points in the regular season will land Edmonton in the postseason for the sixth consecutive year. The -1,429 odds have an implied probability of 93.5% that the Oil will punch a postseason ticket, and I fully expect Edmonton to not only make the playoffs but also to have another deep run this spring.
Prediction: Yes to make the playoffs (-1,429 at BET99)
Popular NHL futures markets
Connor McDavid awards prediction
McDavid’s monster 2022-23 regular season went to the tune of NHL highs in goals (64) and assists (89), and he followed it up with just 32 tallies last year. Last year’s 12.2% shooting percentage was his lowest mark since his second season in the league, and there’s definitely statistical correction ahead, considering he’s posted a 15.2% mark for his career.
The Art Ross odds are already short, and while it could be the best price we see all season, there are other high-scoring stars in the league. McDavid could fall behind in the scoring race early, and a better buying opportunity presents itself in the future.
Additionally, McDavid’s already won the Hart Trophy three times, and there might be a bit of voter fatigue attached to No. 97. It’s a narrative-based award, and expectations are already sky-high for McDavid and the Oil, so winning a fourth Hart will take another special season.
As a result, I think the best value bet for McDavid ahead of the season is to win the Rocket Richard. He’s paced the NHL in goals before, and these odds are long enough to hedge out a profit later in the season if McDavid is among the goals leaders.
Lean: Rocket Richard Trophy (+1,050 at BET99)
Leon Draisaitl points prediction
As dominant and consistent as Draisaitl has been, he’s only recorded more than 110 points once in his 10-year career. Additionally, I expect Edmonton to be focused on winning this spring and ensuring all its top players are healthy for another deep playoff run.
Draisaitl has been incredibly durable, and he’s only missed five games in the past three years. Still, he also notably played through hand and rib injuries during the postseason.
While I’m not suggesting there will be a load-management approach in Edmonton, I do expect the Oilers brass to be more cautious with their stars down the stretch this season.
As noted, the Oilers were behind the eight ball early last year, and I don’t anticipate that being the case this season. As a result, Edmonton should be in a position to lean less on their best players.
Additionally, the highlighted offseason acquisitions should also provide better scoring balance and limit the need for Draisaitl and McDavid to jump the boards together at 5-on-5.
Draisaitl and McDavid have shared the ice for 1,228:22 at 5-on-5 and been on for 4.25 goals per 60 the past three years, and the German center drops to 3.02 goals per 60 when skating without No. 97.
Prediction: Under 110.5 points (-110 at BET99)
