We’ve got a star-studded matchup between two of the league's most offensively impressive teams that haven’t played against one another in over two years.
The Edmonton Oilers head into Colorado riding a five-game win streak with their offensive production looking elite.
The Colorado Avalanche have a winning streak of their own after three straight victories and they've only allowed three goals in those games combined. Will these offenses push this game Over its total? We'll find out with our free NHL betting picks and predictions for Monday, March 21.
Oilers vs Avalanche odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
The Colorado Avalanche opened up as heavy home favorites at -200 and the line has slightly moved in their favor as they are now -205. The total opened up at 6.5 and hasn’t had any movement.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until puck drop and be sure to check out the full NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Oilers vs Avalanche predictions
Predictions made on 3/21/2022 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Oilers vs Avalanche game info
• Location: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
• Date: Monday, March 21, 2022
• Puck drop: 9:30 p.m. ET
• TV: Sportsnet 1, Altitude
Oilers vs Avalanche betting preview
Key injuries
Oilers: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins F (Out).
Avalanche: Gabriel Landeskog F (Out), Samuel Girard D (Out), Bowen Byram D (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Oilers vs Avalanche head-to-head record since 2018-19
Oilers: 4-3-1 SU, 28 goals for.
Avalanche: 4-3-1 SU, 25 goals for.
Betting trend to know
The Over is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings in Colorado. Find more NHL betting trends for Oilers vs. Avalanche.
Oilers vs Avalanche picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Moneyline analysis
The Edmonton Oilers have picked it back up and have started to find their game after having some midseason struggles. The Oilers have won their last five straight games — all on home ice — and have done so in convincing fashion. Their offense is leading the charge as they've scored 28 goals in that five-game span.
Despite sitting out their most recent game, Darcy Kuemper has been the story of the Avs' three-game winning streak. He started in the first two of these three games and notched back-to-back shutouts. In his last three starts, Kuemper has only given up one goal on a total of 105 shots that he’s faced. This has been his best stretch of the season and he will be very well rested for tonight’s contest. As the Avs' primary netminder, Kuemper's led the way with a record of 29-8-2 plus a .923 save percentage and a 20.3 GSAx (sixth-best in the NHL). He will be tested tonight, going up against the seventh-best offensive team with two of the league’s biggest superstars in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Where goaltending has been an additional strength for the Avs, it's been the Oilers' chief weakness. Even though they are on an impressive win streak, it is mainly due to their offensive production. Mike Smith is the expected starter tonight. The veteran is 6-8-1 on the season with a .895 save percentage and a -5.1 GSAx backing up Mikko Koskinen. Smith played excellently in his last start, which came on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres, where he stopped 27 of 28 shots and helped lead the Oilers to a 6-1 victory. Stopping Colorado's attack is a different story altogether.
No matter if the Oilers start Smith or if they decide to go with Koskinen at the last second, the Avs have the edge in goaltending. And even though the Oilers have the league's top two leading scorers, there is an argument to be made that the Avs also have the offensive edge. Colorado is the league's second-best team in regards to offensive production, averaging 3.84 goals per game with one of the best power-play units, scoring on 24.4% of their chances with the man advantage. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar are both coming off of three-point games. MacKinnon tallied three assists and Makar scored one goal with a pair of helpers in their 5-3 win against the Sharks.
I've learned my lesson to never bet against the Avs at Ball Arena as they are 24-3-3 on home ice. I’m going with the home favorites.
Prediction: Avalanche ML (-205)
Over/Under analysis
This matchup is between two of the best offensive superpowers in the league. There are six guys who immediately stand out, with obviously McDavid and Draisaitl for the Oilers, but I am very excited to see how MacKinnon, Nazem Kadri, and Mikko Rantanen stack up against Edmonton's top guys. However, I'm most excited to see Makar go up against McDavid. A lot of people have referred to Makar as the “McDavid of defenseman,” and they haven’t had many games played against one another. Makar is second amongst defensemen in points this season with 22 goals and 47 assists in 58 games.
The four players listed for Colorado all have more than 60 points and are averaging more than a point per game. McDavid and Draisaitl are the only Oilers with north of 60 points, as McDavid sits first in the league with 90 and Draisaitl is second with 86. As a team, they are the seventh-highest producing offense, averaging 3.37 gpg and have the league's fourth-best PP unit, scoring at a 25.3% rate. The Oilers are a very difficult team to contain and slow down, especially with their speed off the rush. They possess the puck so well in the offensive zone, which is a huge reason why they're able to generate 12.71 high-danger chances per 60 minutes. Colorado isn’t a bad defensive team by any means, but as they say, “the best defense is a good offense.”
Like Edmonton, Colorado’s offense can easily take over this game. MacKinnon and Rantanen each have two goals and four assists over the last three games and are continuing to be the driving force behind this offense.
All signs point to the goal-scoring tonight. This should be a shooting gallery and a fun one at that.
Prediction: Over 6.5 (-110)
Best bet
This is going to be an incredible game to watch with all of the talent on both sides.
Kuemper’s shutout streak is a small cause for concern, but neither of his recent opponents was as talented up front as the Oilers, so he will be tested. Edmonton’s goaltending has been completely inconsistent this season and Colorado is so good on home ice that I expect the Avs to completely pepper whichever goalie gets the nod for the Oilers.
Both teams are offensive juggernauts that can score at will and the Over has been a consistent trend whenever these two teams meet. I’m expecting to see a ton of highlight-reel goals and plays between the Oilers and Avs.
Pick: Over 6.5 (-110)
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