NHL Odds, Preview, Prediction: Panthers vs Oilers (Saturday, December 16)
Bruce Bennett/Getty Images. Pictured: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers
Panthers vs. Oilers Odds
| Panthers Odds | +110 |
| Oilers Odds | -130 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 -140 / +120 |
After two straight shutout losses, the Florida Panthers take on the Edmonton Oilers in Saturday night's NHL nightcap.
Florida has had a great season, standing second in the Atlantic, but these two 4-0 losses to the Kraken and Canucks are obviously heartbreakers. The Panthers will look to get back on the wagon against a red-hot Oilers squad.
The Oilers had a bad start to the season, but they're now 8-2 in their last 10 games. They may have lost to the Lightning on Thursday, but before that, they won eight games in a row. It looks like the firing of ex-coach Jay Woodcroft really helped, so let’s see if they can keep it up.
Here’s a look at the Panthers vs. Oilers odds, as well as my betting prediction for Saturday, Dec. 16.
Dating back to last year, Matthew Tkachuk seemed well on his way to becoming a superstar. This year, he’s been fine but hasn’t taken over games like he had.
Captain Aleksander Barkov is truly a marvel to watch on both ends of the ice, and Sam Reinhart is well on his way to shattering his career high in goals.
There’s a lot of depth scoring here; Florida also has Carter Verhaeghe and Evan Rodrigues chipping in on a consistent basis.
Playing 5-on-5 is a really strong attribute for the Panthers. They’re ranked fifth in expected goals with a 54.25 xGF%, and they are sixth defensively with a 2.37 xGA/60.
The power play has somewhat dipped since last year. Florida has scored with a man advantage at only a 17.5% clip, and it succeeds on the penalty kill 81% of the time.
Both Anthony Stolarz and Sergei Bobrovsky suffered in the two shutouts. However, Bobrovsky does give the Panthers the best chance to win, so I expect to see him take the crease tonight.
The Russian netminder is having a solid season, playing to a .906 SV% and a +5.1 goals saved above expected (GSAx).
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If you haven’t already known by now, Edmonton is extremely top-heavy. Difference is, the top guys do more than enough for the whole team to succeed.
Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl haven’t lost a step with McDavid registering 11 points in his last five games.
Evan Bouchard is well on his way to becoming an elite defenseman as he, Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins all average more than a point per game. So yeah, being top-heavy isn’t so bad when your top five scorers make up for all your offense.
The Oilers have shot up the 5-on-5 rankings rather quickly. They’re first with a 57.71 xGF% while ranking ninth with a 2.5 xGA/60.
Similarly, the power play has continued to improve while getting back to its roots. It scores at a 29% clip, and the penalty kill succeeds 80% of the time.
Before losing on Thursday, Stuart Skinner had found his rhythm again. He played to a .929 SV% in that seven-game stretch.
For a while, Skinner was playing like one of the worst goalies in the league, and he still owns the worst GSAx at -8.9. The more he plays like this though, I expect that number only to improve.
Panthers vs. Oilers
Betting Pick & Prediction
I’m curious to see how Florida responds tonight. After being shut out 4-0 in consecutive games, one would have to wonder if the Panthers will come out guns blazing.
Numbers-wise, this is an even matchup, but bet365 doesn’t seem to think so. Edmonton is a strong favorite, and rightfully so given the condition of both teams currently.
The Oilers have responded incredibly to their coaching change, and they have eclipsed everyone in expected goals. It also seems as if McDavid is playing with a chip on his shoulder while scoring points like it’s nothing.
The difference between Edmonton and Florida is that the Oilers’ best players are playing to their best. While Florida has gotten the most out of Barkov and Reinhart, Tkachuk is really the straw that stirs the drink – and he hasn’t been himself.
While I fully expect Florida to break its goalless streak, it won’t be enough against a powerhouse that is rolling. I’m taking the Oilers in regulation, which is +120 at bet365 and widely available to plus money.
Pick: Edmonton Oilers 60-Minute Moneyline (+120 at bet365)
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