The Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights meet in Game 1 of their best-of-7, Western Conference semifinals series in the Stanley Cup Playoffs Tuesday. Puck drop at Scotiabank Arena is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Oilers vs. Golden Knights odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.

Regular-season series: Tied 2-2

The Oilers and the Golden Knights split the 4-game regular-season series with each picking off a road win and the Under cashing at a 3-1 mark — the Under is 4-1-1 in the previous 6 meetings dating back to February 2024. Vegas took the first 2 games this season, while Edmonton won the last 2, including a 3-2 victory as a +148 road underdog April 1. The Golden Knights, who were on a season-high 6-game win streak, scored in the first period of that last meeting, but the Oilers scored 3 times in the second period and held on for the win after the Knights cut the deficit to 3-2 early in the third.

Edmonton got off to a poor start against the LA Kings in the first round of these playoffs, losing the first 2 games in Los Angeles before winning 4 straight for a 4-2 series victory. The win streak coincided with coach Kris Knoblauch switching to G Calvin Pickard in the crease, moving away from the struggling Stuart Skinner, who allowed 11 goals on 58 shots for a 6.11 GAA in the first 2 games.

It’s no surprise, but C Connor McDavid registered a team-best 9 assists and 11 points with a plus-5 rating in the 6-game series vs. the Kings. His partner in crime C Leon Draisaitl was good for 3 goals and 10 points, including his first-NHL overtime postseason winner. D Evan Bouchard tallied a team-high 4 goals, including 2 on the man advantage.

The Golden Knights also faced some adversity in their first-round series with the Minnesota Wild. After splitting the first 2 games at home, Vegas lost home-ice advantage with a 5-2 loss in Game 3 at Minnesota. The Golden Knights were on the ropes in Game 4, trailing 2-1 heading into the third period, but they scored twice in the first 10:03 for a 3-2 lead. However, the Wild tied it 54 seconds later and the game eventually went to an extra period.

That’s where C Ivan Barbashev scored the game-winner 17:26 into OT to complete the 4-3 victory and spur the comeback in the series. Vegas won 3-2 in OT at home in Game 5 April 29, and 3-2 on the road in Game 6 Thursday to push through and advance to this second-round series.

Golden Knights C’s Jack Eichel and Tomas Hertl each led VGK with 5 points in the first round, with Eichel adding a team-best 4 assists. Hertl and C Brett Howden each had a team-best 3 goals. D Shea Theodore had 2 power-play goals and 4 points in the 6-game series, too.

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Oilers at Golden Knights odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:57 p.m. ET.

Moneyline (ML): Oilers +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Golden Knights -135 (bet $135 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Oilers +1.5 (-220) | Golden Knights -1.5 (+180)Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)Oilers at Golden Knights projected goalies

Calvin Pickard (4-0-0, 2.93 GAA, .893 SV% — postseason) vs. Adin Hill (4-2-0, 2.83 GAA, .880 SV% — postseason)

Pickard came on in relief in Game 2 against the Kings. He was plugged into the starting lineup in Game 3, kicking aside 24 of 28 shots in a 7-4 home win. He backstopped a 4-3 OT win in Game 4 at home with 38 saves vs. 41 shots, while posting his best showing of the series in Game 5, allowing only a single goal on 22 shots in a 3-1 win in LA. In the series clincher in Game 6, Pickard stopped 23 of 27 shots in a 6-4 victory in Edmonton.

The 28-year-old Hill was probably never in danger of getting the Skinner treatment, but he was pulled in Game 3 against Minnesota after 2 periods. Hill lost 2 of the first 3 games of the series, including 4 goals allowed on just 21 shots in Game 3. He bounced back with 3 consecutive wins, including 2 in OT.

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Oilers at Golden Knights picks and predictionsPrediction

Oilers 5, Golden Knights 3

The OILERS (+115) are a solid value in Game 1 despite being on the road to open the series.

These are the 2 most recent Western Conference representatives in the Stanley Cup Final. Vegas won the Cup in 2023 against the Florida Panthers. Edmonton went to the Stanley Cup Final last season, falling to Florida in 7 games. So, these teams know a thing or two about winning.

This should be an absolute war, but Edmonton comes in as the hotter team, especially on offense.

The Oilers +1.5 (-220) will set you back 2.2 times the potential return. That’s too much risk for not nearly enough reward.

PASS. If you like Edmonton, just play it straight up instead.

The OVER 6.5 (-120) is a strong play based on Edmonton’s offensive showing in Round 1.

The Oilers cashed the Over in 5 of 6 games against the Kings, going for 27 goals, or 4.5 goals per game (GPG) on offense, while allowing 4.0 GPG in the series.

For the Golden Knights, the Over went 4-2 in the 6 games against the Wild, averaging a respectable 3.0 GPG, while allowing 3.2 GPG.

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