The Chicago Blackhawks (5-4-2) and Edmonton Oilers (5-4-3) meet Saturday. Puck drop from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Blackhawks vs. Oilers odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 season series: Oilers won 2-1
The Blackhawks (+175) lost 6-3 against the Winnipeg Jets Wednesday night as the Over (6) cashed for the second consecutive outing. G Spencer Knight was snowed under for 6 goals, while Fs Andre Burakovsky, Teuvo Teravainen and D Alex Vlasic provided the offensive support.
The Oilers (-151) were on the short end of a 4-3 OTL against the visiting New York Rangers. D Darnell Nurse had a pair of goals in the loss, while C Matt Savoie had a power-play goal. Edmonton has scored at least 2 goals in all 12 games this season, while averaging 3.8 goals per game (GPG), while allowing 3.5 GPG in the span. The Over has cashed in 3 in a row for Edmonton, while going 5-2-1 across the previous 8 outings.
Edmonton won last season’s series 2-1, but the road team was victorious in all 3 meetings, and both of Edmonton’s wins were by one goal, including an OT victory Feb. 5. The Over cashed in all 3 meetings last season, too.
Blackhawks at Oilers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:15 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Blackhawks +230 (bet $100 to win $230) | Oilers -295 (bet $295 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Blackhawks +1.5 (+100) | Oilers -1.5 (-120)Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)Blackhawks at Oilers projected goalies
Spencer Knight (4-3-1, 2.59 GAA, .915 SV%) vs. Stuart Skinner (3-3-2, 2.59 GAA, .892 SV%)
Knight was knocked around for 6 goals on 32 shots in a 6-3 loss at Winnipeg Thursday, halting a 3-game winning streak. He had allowed 3 or fewer goals in each of his first 7 starts, so let’s consider the loss to the Jets an anomaly for now.
Skinner suffered an OTL against the Rangers Thursday in his most recent start, and he has allowed 3 or more goals in 3 straight outings, and 5 of his past 6 outings. He has just 2 victories during that span. He is 1-0-2 with a 3.20 GAA and .873 SV% in 3 starts at home this season.
Blackhawks at Oilers picks and predictionsPrediction
Oilers 5, Blackhawks 3
The Oilers (-295) are much too expensive, costing you nearly 3 times your potential return. For a standalone wager, or even as part of a multi-leg parlay, that is just way too much risk for not nearly enough reward.
AVOID, and look to the puck line instead.
The OILERS -1.5 (-120) are a lot more economical on the puck line, if you like the home side. It was a little tempting to take the Blackhawks +1.5 (+100) at even-money, but with Knight conceding 6 goals last time out, that thought went out the window.
OVER 6.5 (+100) is worth a look, but go with a half-unit play at best.
Knight coughed up 6 goals in Winnipeg last time out, and the Over has cashed in each of the previous 2 outings for the Blackhawks.
For the Oilers, the Over has hit in 3 in a row, while going 5-2-2 in the previous 9 outings. We’re likely to see the lamp lit pretty frequently on Saturday night in the Northlands.
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