NHL Preview, Prediction: Bruins vs Oilers Odds (Wednesday, February 21)
Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images. Pictured: Matt Grzelcyk and David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins.
Bruins vs. Oilers Odds
| Bruins Odds | +125 |
| Oilers Odds | -150 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 +100 / -120 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Boston Bruins vs. Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday, Feb. 21 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
This matchup won't be short on star power, as reigning NHL MVP Connor McDavid and his crew host Brad Marchand's Boston Bruins as part of a five-game NHL slate on Wednesday.
After a tough start, the Oilers have surged back into playoff contention under their new coach and are excelling in all aspects of the game. Meanwhile, the Bruins have maintained their position at the top of the Eastern Conference standings despite some significant roster changes this season. They came out flat after the All-Star break, but are hitting the road on a high note after a dramatic shootout win over Dallas.
Here's why bettors should latch onto the value that's attached to the Bruins, in this battle between two of the NHL's top teams.
Road, sweet road.
The Bruins should be looking forward to kicking off their four-game Pacific Division swing following a seven-game homestand where they posted an uncharacteristic record of just 2-3-2.
Since getting back to work on Feb. 6 following All-Star Weekend, Boston ranks 31st in scoring (2.14 goals per game) and on the power play (8.0%), 15th in goals against (3.00 goals per game) and 27th on the penalty kill (68.4%). But they still controlled 50.73% of expected goals at 5-on-5, which is actually a bit better than their full-season rate. That suggests that their special teams dip and some poor puck luck lies at the root of their swoon.
And they are leaving Boston on a high note, after Jeremy Swayman made 43 saves and prevailed in a nine-round shootout against the Dallas Stars, giving the Bruins a 4-3 win. That could be something to build upon.
Utilize our latest bet365 bonus code to get the most out of your Bruins vs. Oilers action.
On the transaction front, the Bruins recalled defenseman Mason Lohrei from AHL Providence on Tuesday, and sent forward Oskar Steen down to the minors. Lohrei can help out if Hampus Lindholm has issues following an injury that forced him out of Monday's game early in the third period. As of Tuesday, there's no official update on Lindholm's status, which suggests he is making the trip. Lohrei's addition gives Boston eight defensemen on the active roster.
And while the Bruins are going through a bit of a rough patch, they've been one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference all season. They have also been demons on the road, with a record of 15-5-6 away from home. Those five regulation road losses are the fewest in the league.
The Oilers open a five-game homestand on Wednesday, riding a two-game winning streak after victories in Dallas and Arizona. They're 4-3-0 since the All-Star break and now are up to 30-9-0 since Kris Knoblauch took over behind the bench in November.
In the Knoblauch era, the Oilers rank second in scoring (3.84 goals per game), third in goals against (2.54 goals per game), fifth on the power play (27.9%) and sixth on the penalty kill (83.2%). In short, everything has been clicking.
They're also healthy, and no lineup changes are expected on Wednesday.
Stuart Skinner has been carrying most of the load in goal, and with back-to-back games coming up on the weekend, he's likely to get the nod on Wednesday as well. He's now at a .906 save percentage and 2.57 goals-against average for the year, and 0.4 goals saved above expected.
Home-ice advantage has been a real thing for the Oilers this season. They're 17-6-1 at Rogers Place.
(NC sports betting is set to launch in North Carolina in March, and you will soon be able to bet legally at major sportsbooks. Get the latest news.)
Bruins vs. Oilers
Betting Pick & Prediction
This is the first meeting of the year between the Bruins and Oilers. And while Edmonton is playing well and hasn't lost on home ice since Dec. 16, Boston is a formidable foe that could spell trouble.
It's not often bettors can grab the Bruins at plus money, but they could present a formidable challenge to the surging Oilers.
Lean into the value that's offered here by the road dog.
Pick:Bruins moneyline (+120 at BetMGM; play down to +105)
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