The Edmonton Oilers (8-6-4) and Columbus Blue Jackets (8-7-1) clash in a Thursday skirmish at Nationwide Arena. The opening puck drop will be at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Oilers vs. Blue Jackets odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Series: Oilers lead 1-0
Edmonton is on the second leg of a 7-game road swing that opened Wednesday with the Oilers defeating the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 (Under 5.5) in overtime. The victory snapped a 4-game losing streak on the road.
The Blue Jackets last played on Tuesday when they snapped a 4-game losing streak with a 2-1 (Under 6) shootout win at the -117 Seattle Kraken. That victory closed out a trip that included a Monday tilt at Edmonton: the Oilers topped Columbus 5-4 in overtime.
Oilers at Blue Jackets odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:41 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Oilers +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Blue Jackets -120 (bet $120 to win $100)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Oilers +1.5 (-225) | Blue Jackets -1.5 (+185)Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)Oilers at Blue Jackets projected goalies
Calvin Pickard (2-2-1, 4.00 GAA, .836 SV%) vs. Jet Greaves (4-4-1, 2.89 GAA, .901 SV%)
Pickard last played Saturday, allowing 5 goals in 32 minutes of a 9-1 Edmonton loss vs. the Colorado Avalanche. Stuart Skinner’s backup has struggled mightily this far; he has yielded 3 goals or more in 5 straight games.
Greaves was the winner at Seattle when he stopped 22-of-23 pucks. The 24-year-old had allowed 9 goals over his previous 2 games.
Oilers at Blue Jackets picks and predictionsPrediction
Oilers 4, Blue Jackets 3
Edmonton’s goaltending has been shaky and the club’s overall puck-possession and expected-goal numbers are not encouraging. But those latter figures are pointed in the right direction over the last 2 weeks, and the Oilers may well be a bit undervalued. Five-on-five analytics show the Oilers giving up less high-danger looks than the Blue Jackets. And Edmonton does have a strong power play (31.3%, third NHL).
Columbus has spent a bit more time in the penalty box over recent games and has played a lesser schedule overall. The Jackets have coughed up 11 goals over their last 2 games against the Oilers.
EDMONTON (+100) is worth a partial-unit look.
No interest; AVOID.
The Over has cashed in 3 straight series meetings.
Expected-goal advanced stats are bullish on both sides cranking out better 5-on-5 output than what’s been produced over recent games. Monday’s game got to 9 goals without the benefit of an power-play netfinders.
Edmonton has allowed 3.67 goals per game when playing on zero days’ rest. And the goalie matchup here is filled with holes.
All that noted, this is a high total. Consider a partial-unit play on the OVER 6.5 (-110).
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