Oilers vs. Avalanche forecast, odds, pick

The Edmonton Oilers will fight with Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night in Denver. It’s a Western Conference showdown at Ball Arena as we share our NHL odds series and make Oilers-Avalanche predictions and picks.

The Avalanche are 27-23 in their last 50 games against the Oilers and 6-3-1 (four overtime wins) in their last 10. However, the Oilers dominated the Avalanche 4-1 earlier this season. The Avalanche are 3-1-1 in their last five games against the Oilers at Ball Arena.

It’s Oilers-Avalanche here NHL oddscourtesy of FanDuel.

NHL odds: Oilers-Avalanche odds

Edmonton Oilers: +1.5 (-230)

Moneiline: +112

Colorado Avalanche: -1.5 (+184)

Moneilines: -134

Over: 5.5 (-134)

Under: 5.5 (+110)

How to watch Oilers vs Avalanche

Time: 9:30 PM ET/6:30 PM PT

TV: ESPN

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Why the Oilers could cover the spread/win

The Oilers fell behind in the first game against the Avalanche, but came back to win. In all, they fired 33 shots and won 70 percent of their faceoffs. Incredibly, they won despite going 0-for-2 on the powerplay, recording four even goals. They did it with nine goals and 15 blocked shots on defense.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was a key player in that win, as he added a goal and an assist. In addition, Jeff Skinner and Adam Henrik had assists. Leon Draisaitl was a ghost in this game, he didn’t score. however, Connor McDavid had an assistant to help the Oilers add one. It was probably the most impressive win from a team standpoint for the Oilers all season, as they went into enemy territory and overcame adversity to win.

Nugent-Hopkins and McDavid will look to Zach Hyman for extra help in front of the net. Draisaitl, meanwhile, will try to get things going with Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson on his wing. The Oilers hope to see similar success from their third and fourth lines.

Stuart Skinner started the last game against the Avalanche, making 27 saves and allowing just one goal. If he starts, he will be a solid option in net for a team that has had inconsistent scoring. If Calvin Pickard starts, he will also be a reliable option as he enters this stretch with a 10-4 record with a 2.50 goals-against average and .896 save percentage.

The Oilers will cover the spread if they can continue to get good production from their lines. Next, their defense must contain Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen.

Why Avalanche could cover the spread/win

Lavina fought through injuries all season, which often hindered them. However, they continue to persevere and play well. Colorado hopes to play better this time as it welcomes the Western Conference champions to Ball Arena for the second time this season.

McKinnon is one of the best players in the world. However, he failed to score in the last game against the Oilers. The Avalanche need MacKinnon to get chances. It also means he has to win the faceoff. Remember, McKinnon won five draws and lost nine in the loss to the Oilers. If he can improve his faceoff chances, it will increase Colorado’s chances of gaining possession and setting themselves up with more scoring chances. The Avalanche took 28 shots on the Oilers in the loss. They also went 1-for-5 on the powerplay, highlighting their inability to capitalize on more chances.

Although he disappeared in the first game, he could not be included in the list. At the end of the day, much of Colorado’s success rests on him, and Makar has to figure out how to score or give someone else a chance to score.

The goalkeeper will be completely different when MacKenzie Blackwood starts. Notably, he’s a big upgrade over Alexander Georgiev and looks set to keep McDavid and Draisaitl. The defense needs to do a better job in front of him, as they blocked just nine shots in the first game.

The Avalanche will cover the spread if MacKinnon is free and gets some scoring chances. Next, they need to play better defense in front of Blackwood.

Final Oilers-Avalanche Prediction & Pick

The Oilers are 16-27 against the spread, while the Avalanche are 17-28 against the odds. Furthermore, the Oilers are 9-11 against the odds on the road, while the Avs are 7-15 against the odds at home. The Oilers are 18-22-3 against the over/under, while the Avalanche are 23-21-1 against the over/under. The Oilers will play the other end of back-to-back games and are 4-3 against the spread in that situation (one of those wins came against the Avs).

The Oilers are great. But asking them to dominate the Colorado Avalanche twice in one season might be asking too much. Overall, I think the Avalanche will be motivated to go out and avenge that loss. I like to cover namaz at home.

Final Oilers-Avalanche Prediction & Pick: Avalanche -1.5 (+184)