NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Hurricanes vs. Oilers (October 20)
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images. Pictured: Frederik Andersen and Jaccob Slavin.
- The Oilers host the Hurricanes on Thursday night.
- The under cashed in each of the two games between these two teams last season, perhaps another low-scoring contest is in store?
- Tony Sartori previews the game and shares his best bet below.
Hurricanes vs. Oilers Odds
| Hurricanes Odds | -105 |
| Oilers Odds | -115 |
| Over/Under | 6.5 (-130/+110) |
| Time | 9 p.m. ET |
| TV | SNW |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
We have a tremendous matchup on Thursday night as the Pacific Division's Edmonton Oilers host the Metropolitan Division's Carolina Hurricanes. The under cashed in both of the meetings between these two clubs last season.
Will we get another low-scoring affair, or can the goal scoring pick up this time around?
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes have started the season in dominant fashion as they are 3-0 with a combined winning margin of 11-3. Carolina's blue line has been suffocating and the goaltending has lived up to expectations as the Hurricanes have allowed just one goal in each of those games.
At 5v5, the Hurricanes rank sixth in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). Spearheaded by Jaccob Slavin, one of the best defensemen in hockey, this group was also one of the best teams last year as they finished fourth in GA at 5v5.
Backing up this defense is one of the better goaltenders in the league, Frederik Andersen. Through two starts this year, Andersen is 2-0 with a .964 SV% and 1.00 GAA.
Among starting goaltenders, he ranks second in the league in 5v5 goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60). This strong start is a continuation of last year's incredible campaign as he went 35-14-3 with a .922 SV% and 2.17 GAA while ranking fourth among starters in 5v5 GSAx/60.
This matchup should be more of the same as Andersen has absolutely DOMINATED Edmonton throughout his career. Over 21 appearances, Andersen is 17-1-2 with a .928 SV% and 2.16 GAA. He's also allowed three or fewer goals 18 times.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers start to the season has not been as strong as Carolina's. The Oilers dropped back-to-back games to the Flames and Sabres and scored three or fewer goals in each of those two games as the offense has not lived up to its normal standards.
At 5v5, the Oilers are producing just 2.85 expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60). Running into the same problem that this team faced in the postseason, the vast majority of their offensive production is coming from just two players.
While Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are capable of exploding for three or more goals on any given night, it is tough to fill the scoresheet when the other 10 forwards aren't producing. For any team going against Edmonton, the fact of the matter is that if they stop McDavid/Draisaitl, they stop the Oilers.
Last season, McDavid and Draisaitl were each held without a point in both games against the Canes. Unsurprisingly, Carolina went on to win each of those contests and held Edmonton to just one goal each time.
Hurricanes vs. Oilers Pick
Carolina is a relentless team both on the forecheck and when running man-on-man in the defensive zone. This team hounds the opposition and tries to make their lives as difficult as possible with constant pressure.
Combine this relentless pressure with strong goaltending, and you get a team that prevents scoring at a high level. Last season, Carolina stifled the high-powered Edmonton offense to just one goal in each of their two meetings.
In fact, the Oilers have scored three or fewer goals in seven of the past 10 meetings between these two clubs and we should expect more of the same on Thursday night.
Pick: Edmonton Oilers TT Under 3.5 (-130) | Play up to (-135)
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