Hockey fans have had this clash between the Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers circled since Saturday’s heated battle that included a pair of three-game suspensions handed out in the aftermath.
Edmonton superstar Connor McDavid will serve the second of his three-game ban tonight, and the Oilers will also look to snap a two-game losing streak at Rogers Place on Thursday, January 23.
With McDavid out, my Canucks vs. Oilers predictions and NHL picks are headlined by Edmonton defenseman Evan Bouchard.
Oilers vs Canucks prediction
My Oilers pick
Evan Bouchard Over 2.5 shots (-110 at BET99)
My Oilers analysis
Despite piling up 17 attempts, Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard has registered just a single shot in consecutive games. While it’s a small sample, it reinforces that the attempts continue to come in bunches.
He’s recorded three or more shots in 25 of 47 games for the campaign, which includes 12 of the past 18.
Bouchard ranks in the 98th percentile of defensemen in shots on goal, and his 7.11 shots and 17.41 attempts per 60 minutes both rank fourth among regular blueliners.
The Vancouver Canucks don’t stand out as a prime matchup at first glance with the eighth-fewest shots allowed per game (26.9), but they also rank 24th with a 47.8 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five during their active 6-9-6 slide. Additionally, the Canucks have taken the second-most minor penalties at 5-on-5 during the 21-game stretch.
Meanwhile, the matchup is already built into these odds, and I don’t think they’re fully accounting for the consistency of Bouchard’s shot volume.
I also value Bouchard’s role quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit, in addition to his elite 60.5 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five and ranking in the 98th percentile of defensemen in offensive-zone time at even strength.
Oilers vs Canucks same-game parlay (SGP)
Under 6
Evan Bouchard Over 2.5 shots
Leon Draisaitl Over 2.5 shots
The Oilers have turned a corner defensively since mid-November, allowing the fifth-fewest goals per game (2.55). That includes the sixth-fewest xGA at 5-on-5 (2.22) and a fifth-ranked 84.5 penalty-kill percentage during their active 23-8-2 stretch.
Edmonton has also trended to the Under at Rogers Place, hitting it in 57 of its last 112 games (+4.75 Units / 4% ROI). The Canucks have also hit the Under in 24 of their last 44 road contests (+4.85 Units / 10% ROI).
Oilers star Leon Draisaitl has recorded three or more shots in 15 of his past 20 games, and he continues to be a player I target to round out same-game parlays. Similar to Bouchard, Draisaitl sports a sterling 59.4 CF% at 5-on-5 while ranking in the 97th percentile of forwards in shots on goal and 96th percentile of offensive-zone time at even strength.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Oilers vs Canucks odds
Oilers vs Canucks live odds
Oilers vs Canucks opening odds
- Puck line: Edmonton +1.5 (-165) | Vancouver -1.5 (+140)
- Moneyline: Edmonton +145 | Vancouver -175
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-120) | Under 5.5 (+100)
Odds courtesy of BET99
Oilers vs Canucks trend
Evan Bouchard has recorded three or more shots in 12 of his past 18 games. Find more NHL betting trends for Oilers vs. Canucks.
How to watch Oilers vs Canucks
| Location | Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB |
| Date | Thursday, 1-23-2025 |
| Puck drop | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | SNW |
Oilers vs Canucks latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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