Betting Analysis and Predictions: Edmonton Oilers at Vancouver Canucks

The Edmonton Oilers will look to make it two wins in a row when they take on the Vancouver Canucks at 10 p.m. ET tonight at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Oilers snapped a season-high seven-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames Saturday. So where should you focus your NHL betting money on this matchup?

Nugent-Hopkins Returning for Oilers

After their win, they got the news that centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who has not played in the last six games because of a knee injury, would be returning to the lineup. He has collected 26 points in 30 games this season and is the leader in the lockerroom and on the ice, where he does so many positive things for his teammates that go unnoticed in the box scores.

The Oilers will still be without forward Zach Hyman because of COVID protocols and defenceman Tyson Barrie, who is recovering from injuries. However, the return of Nugent-Hopkins provides a boost of confidence to an Oilers team that has suffered through a 3-11-2 losing slump.

The Canucks lost 3-1 to the St. Louis Blues on Sunday and did not have any of their top-3 goalies available for the game. Their No.1 goalie Thatcher Demko is expected to return once cleared of the protocol requirements.

The Canucks will also be without their three best forwards: captain Bo Harvat, leading scorer J.T. Miller, and Connor Garland, who remain in the protocol.

What Does the Line Tell Us about Oilers at Canucks?

The line opened with the Oilers priced as a –155 moneyline. Because of aggressive betting on the host Canucks, that line has moved to the Oilers being a –126 favorite.

The total opened at six goals with an over bet commanding a –125 vig and has remained at this level in early betting action.

Does the Data Point to a Solid Betting Opportunity?

The Oilers have been a smart bet to make when they are facing a divisional foe earning a 23-12 record and 10 units per unit wagered in matches played over the last two seasons.

The Canucks are just 39-49, losing 29 units per unit wagered using the moneyline in home matches following two consecutive games in which four or fewer goals had been scored.

Oilers coach Dave Tippett is 30-19, making 10.8 units per unit wagered when facing a divisional opponent.

My predictive models expect the Oilers to get at least 27 shots on goal. Over the past three seasons the Oilers are 21-10 in road games when getting 27 or more shots on goal.

The Canucks are a money-burning 10-19 in home games in which they allowed 27 or more shots on goal in matches played over the past three seasons.

I like the Edmonton Oilers using the moneyline if they are at a –130 price or better in this matchup against the Vancouver Canucks.