Oilers vs Golden Knights Game 5 Odds, Picks, and Predictions: Defenses in Dicey Situation in Vegas

A series-swinging Game 5 between the Oilers and Golden Knights takes place in Vegas tonight. Darnell Nurse and Alex Pietrangelo are both suspended, and when the cats are away, the mice will play, as our NHL betting picks explain.

Jonny Lazarus - Contributor at Covers.com
Jonny Lazarus • Contributor
May 12, 2023 • 18:02 ET • 4 min read
Connor McDavid Edmonton Oilers NHL
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

The Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights are all knotted up as this series heads back to Vegas for a pivotal Game 5. 

Tonight’s tilt will be an interesting one, since both teams will be without their No. 1 defenseman. The Oilers are missing Darnell Nurse, and the Golden Knights will have to play without Alex Pietrangelo. Both players are serving a one-game suspension.

The Under has hit in three straight games in this series, but with these two defenseman being out, I think it will have a direct impact on the goal-scoring. 

Find out my best bet in our free NHL picks and predictions for Oilers vs. Golden Knights on May 12.

Oilers vs Golden Knights Game 5 odds

Oilers vs Golden Knights series odds

Team To win Win in 6 Win in 7
Oilers -170 +170 +250
Golden Knights +145 +425 +320

Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of May 12.

Oilers vs Golden Knights Game 5 predictions

The Edmonton Oilers came out buzzing in Game 4 on home ice, jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead in the opening frame to start the game. They’ve been the best offensive team in the entire playoffs, and even though Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl didn’t find the back of the net, they were still able to impact the game. McDavid had two assists, and Draisaitl had one. 

The Vegas Golden Knights were held to only one goal, but they are averaging 3.22 goals per game on home ice, and they scored 10 combined goals in the first two games at T-Mobile Arena in this series. 

Stuart Skinner is likely to be between the pipes for the Oilers. He has found ways to win throughout the postseason, but his numbers have not been all that impressive. Skinner is skating to a .895 SV% along with a 3.31 GAA and a -2.3 goals saved above expected.

The Golden Knights haven’t announced a starter yet, but they are most likely leaning on Adin Hill once again. He had a rough go in Game 4, allowing four goals on 33 shots in what was his first start of the playoffs. 

This goaltending matchup doesn’t scare me whatsoever, as both teams can flat out fly and score goals. Without Darnell Nurse and Alex Pietrangelo, we should see some more offensive scoring chances for both teams. 

I’m going with the Over again. 

My best bet: Over 7 (+110 at BetMGM)

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Oilers vs Golden Knights Game 5 moneyline analysis

In my mind, the Oilers are a much better team than the Golden Knights. The Oilers have not had the "Vegas flu" at all as of late, as they are 5-1 SU in their last six trips to Sin City.

Skinner had a very strong performance for Edmonton in Game 4, and he is hoping to carry that momentum into tonight’s battle. Skinner’s biggest flaw this postseason has been consistency, so it will be interesting to see which guy shows up in the blue paint for Edmonton. 

The answer for Vegas to win against Edmonton is to remain disciplined. The Golden Knights have a weak penalty kill, while the Oilers have the league’s most dominant power play. In the games that Vegas has won in this series, they stayed out of the penalty box for a majority of the game. With that being said, there should be a ton of animosity in Game 5 after the shenanigans that took place toward the end of Game 4. 

I think this game will have a lot of extracurriculars, making this a special teams affair in favor of the Oilers. I think Edmonton pulls this one out and brings it back home up 3-2. 

Oilers vs Golden Knights Game 5 Over/Under analysis

I know the Under has hit in three straight games in this series, but Game 1 in Vegas was a barnburner, and I am getting a similar vibe for Game 5. 

These two teams are both Top 5 offenses in the postseason. The Oilers are scoring 3.90 goals per game — making them the highest-producing team — and the Golden Knights are fifth, tallying 3.56 goals per game. 

The defensive ends haven’t been all that strong for both sides. Edmonton is allowing 3.30 goals against per game, while the Golden Knights are giving up 3.11 goals per contest.

I keep alluding to the fact that both teams are missing key defenseman, which will definitely impact the way the game is played. I think this Over is a great bet, especially with the plus money.

Oilers vs Golden Knights betting trend to know

The Over is 26-11 in the Oilers' last 37 road games. Find more NHL betting trends for Oilers vs. Golden Knights.

Oilers vs Golden Knights Game 5 game info

Location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Date: Friday, May 12, 2023
Puck drop: 10:00 p.m. ET
TV: TNT

Oilers vs Golden Knights Game 5 injuries

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Jonny Lazarus - Covers
Contributor

Jonny Lazarus has loved hockey for as long as he can remember. After his Division I playing career at UMass-Amherst and Mercyhurst University came to an end in 2020, he transitioned from being a player to working in the media. He might be young in his career, but he has made appearances in numerous places like the NHL, Bleacher Report, as well as The Action Network, and this season he will be doing color commentary for a selection of UMass-Amherst hockey games.

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