The NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs are in the second round! Two series got started on Tuesday night, and the other two begin on Wednesday night! But first, let’s get into the Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights series preview.
Go here for daily free NHL picks!
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights Preview
Oilers vs. Golden Knights: Path to victory
Oilers
The Oilers faced quite possibly their biggest test in the first round in the form of the Los Angeles Kings. The Kings aren’t a great team, but they matched up well with Anze Kopitar and Phillip Danault as two of the best defensive centers in the league.
Now, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl may have an easier time against a more balanced Vegas squad.
Edmonton has the upper hand in this series and for a good reason. The Oilers have the two best players in the world, a solid defensive group with the addition of Mattias Ekholm, and Stuart Skinner is looking strong (mostly) in net. It’s a recipe for success in Edmonton.
Golden Knights
The Knights took out a hobbled Winnipeg team in the first round, only losing one game to the Jets. However, while Edmonton now has a better matchup, this is a worse matchup for Vegas.
Vegas will need Jack Eichel to live up to his star status in this round, and it’ll be mightily important for Mark Stone to be healthy. He played in the final games of the first round but left practice rather gingerly on Tuesday.
If Stone is healthy and Eichel is a star, there’s a chance for Vegas, but it still all comes down to Laurent Brossoit in net.
Oilers vs. Golden Knights: Picks, Predictions, & Best Bets
Edmonton Oilers to advance (-150 via DraftKings)
The Oilers are the Stanley Cup favorites at this point, and this line feels really low for this Edmonton team. This isn’t the same team that lost last year. The Oilers’ huge addition of Ekholm at the deadline has solidified their defense, along with Evan Bouchard turning into a pretty good blueliner, at least on the power play.
On top of that, Skinner is doing enough to keep the Oilers in games, and that’s really all they need.
Edmonton should win this series, but it won’t be without Vegas taking a few games.
Oilers to win in 6 games (+380 via BetPARX)
The Oilers beat the Kings in six games, which could very well be the outcome in the second round against the Knights. Vegas is good enough to win a game or two, but the Oilers should be able to close it out before Game 7.
