NHL Playoffs Pacific Division Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Canucks vs. Predators, Oilers vs. Kings

NHL Playoffs Pacific Division Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Canucks vs. Predators, Oilers vs. Kings

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are well underway! The Vancouver Canucks already have a 1-0 lead over the Nashville Predators, and the Edmonton Oilers host the Los Angeles Kings on Monday night. Let’s get into the Pacific Division playoff series and make picks and predictions for Canucks vs. Predators and Oilers vs. Kings series.

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NHL Playoffs Pacific Division Odds, Picks, & Predictions

NHL Playoffs Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators

The Canucks jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Sunday night thanks to two goals in 12 seconds to turn the tide in the third period. Game 1 was a hard-fought affair and the rest of the series could very well be the same way.

Canucks vs. Predators Odds

*Odds are after Game 1

Vancouver Canucks (-270) | Nashville Predators (+260)
Canucks -1.5 Games (-130) | Predators +1.5 Games (+115)
Over 5.5 Games (-164) | Under 5.5 Games (+134)

The Canucks opened the series as -150 favorites, and that’s jumped up to -270 after taking a 1-0 series lead.

Canucks vs. Predators Picks & Predictions

The Vancouver Canucks are one of the league’s most surprising teams this season under Jack Adams’ favorite, Rick Tocchet. Vancouver got off to a great start in the regular season and was able to overcome some hiccups in the second half to reign supreme in the Pacific Division.

The Canucks are a team with star power like Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller — not to mention 40-goal scorer Brock Boeser — along with great depth. The midseason acquisition of Elias Lindholm gives Vancouver one of the best trio of centers in the league. It doesn’t hurt to have the Norris Trophy favorite in Quinn Hughes on the blue line, either.

The return of Thatcher Demko just before the playoffs is huge for the Canucks. The goaltender, who was once in the Vezina Trophy conversation, went 35-14-2 with a .918 SV% and 2.45 GAA and five shutouts in the regular season.

But the Nashville Predators can go toe-to-toe with the Nucks in net with Juuse Saros. The veteran netminder’s regular-season numbers weren’t as good (35-24-5, .906 SV%, 2.86 GAA), but he’s long been known as one of the most consistent goaltenders in the league.

The Predators’ problem, however, is their depth. After a great top line with Filip Forsberg, Ryan O’Reilly, and Gustav Nyquist, Nashville doesn’t have many offensive weapons. The same goes on defense with Roman Josi as the anchor.

Still, Saros could steal a game, and the Predators could take advantage of some special teams play to make this a long series.

Canucks vs. Predators Pick: Over 5.5 Games (-164)

Canucks vs. Predators Prediction: Canucks in 6 Games (+410)


NHL Playoffs Odds, Picks, & Predictions: Edmonton Oilers vs. Los Angeles Kings

The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings meet once again in the postseason for the third straight year. Edmonton ousted Los Angeles in seven games in 2022 and in six games last year.

Oilers vs. Kings Odds

Edmonton Oilers (-190) | Los Angeles Kings (+177)
Oilers -1.5 Games (+114) | Kings +1.5 Games (-135)
Over 5.5 Games (-176) | Under 5.5 Games (+142)

The Oilers are unsurprisingly fairly big favorites against the Kings. Odds of -190 imply a 65.52% chance of winning.

Oilers vs. Kings Picks & Predictions

The Edmonton Oilers boast a potent offense, with Connor McDavid (100 assists), Leon Draisaitl (106 points), and Zach Hyman (54 goals) leading the way. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Evander Kane (if healthy) chip in as well, along with trade deadline addition Adam Henrique, who provides the Oilers with another option at center.

On the blue line, Evan Bouchard enjoyed a breakout season with 82 points playing alongside the more defensive-minded Mattias Ekholm. After that, however, Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci leave something to be desired as the second pair.

The real question mark for the Oilers is between the pipes. Stuart Skinner showed flashes during the season, including a 12-game winning streak in which he allowed a total of 17 goals and a 6-1-2 record (.917 SV%) in March. But he and the Oilers backed into the playoffs with a save percentage under .900 in April.

Still, the Oilers’ speed and skill is no match for the Kings.

Los Angeles is still in a solid spot with a good mix of veterans and youngsters, but the Kings don’t have a steady goaltender either. Cam Talbot (.913 SV%) and David Rittich (.921 SV%) put up good numbers, but can either of them really win a playoff series?

If the Kings are going to upset the Oilers, it will be due to their depth. Their scoring is spread out the lineup with Kevin Fiala on the third line, and Pierre-Luc Dubois could be a key factor if he shows any desire to play hockey.

Oilers vs. Kings Pick: Oilers -1.5 Games (+114)

Oilers vs. Kings Prediction: Oilers in 6 (+425)

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