The Anaheim Ducks (0-1-0) and Edmonton Oilers (1-0-0) meet in Game 2 of the NHL Playoffs tonight. Puck drop is set for 10:00 p.m. EDT at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. The game will be broadcast live on TBS.
The Oilers are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 6.5 (-143o / +120u). The Oilers are a -190 favorite to win outright, while the Ducks are +155 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Ducks vs. Oilers predictions and NHL picks.
Ducks vs. Oilers Odds, Pick
| Ducks Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -152 | 6.5 -143o / +120u | +155 |
| Oilers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +127 | 6.5 -143o / +120u | -190 |
- Ducks vs. Oilers Spread: Oilers -1.5 (+127 ), Ducks +1.5 (-152)
- Ducks vs. Oilers Over/Under: 6.5 (-143o / +120u)
- Ducks vs. Oilers Moneyline: Ducks +155, Oilers -190
Ducks vs. Oilers Preview
Anaheim Ducks
It was Leo Carlsson’s first ever playoff game, and boy did he ever make the most of it, registering a goal and an assist.
When the Ducks drafted Carlsson second overall in the 2023 Draft, this was the vision they had for him – taking over the reins and leading them to playoff success. Between him and Troy Terry, the Ducks felt like they were in good hands.
But it’s hard when you’re going toe-to-toe with the two-time Western Conference Champs. So for Anaheim to enter the third period with a 3-2 lead, Ducks fans should take solace in their team being legit.
The line that features Carlsson, Terry, and veteran Chris Kreider was easily the most effective one, where they generated the most scoring chances with an 83.6 xGF%, and limited Edmonton’s dynamic offense to just a .29 xGA%.
I’m not worried about this team, and will be interested to see if they can keep it interesting in Game 2. The Oilers are heading into tonight with momentum, but Anaheim is also led by one of the greatest coaches ever in Joel Quenneville.
That also leads us to goaltending, where I think Lukas Dostal held on fairly well. He posted a -0.43 GSAx which is just below what we’d like, but against a high-powered team, it’s perfectly fine.
It felt like he was in control though. Edmonton, a team that normally dominates in high-danger opportunities, peppered five of them toward Dostal, and Dostal only let up one goal on it.
Edmonton Oilers
Had it not been for Edmonton’s usual late-game heroics, the Ducks could’ve easily taken Game 1.
The Ducks managed to hold Connor McDavid pointless, which is usually a death-blow to the Oilers. Prior to Monday night, during the season, when McDavid didn't record a point, the Oilers went 0-12-2.
This time, it was the Kasperi Kapanen and Jason Dickinson Show each with two goals.
Those are words you probably never thought you’d hear uttered. But the playoffs are where the depth shows up, and it’s a big reason why Edmonton paid a hefty price to get Dickinson, who’s usually a third-line center.
It also marked the return of Leon Draisaitl, who missed the final 14 games with a lower body injury. And Draisaitl looked like he didn’t miss a step, recording two assists and firing the puck 11 times, which led all Oilers in shot attempts.
McDavid will end up being fine. His presence wasn’t felt on the scoresheet, but it was definitely felt on the ice. He looked like everything we’re used to seeing from him. Skating like the wind, and creating opportunities for his linemates.
If I’m an Edmonton fan, I’d be thrilled with what I saw from goaltender Connor Ingram. He posted a 1.12 GSAx for the night which was exactly what you want from him.
If there was one thing I’d like to see from him is better rebound control. He allowed seven rebound chances, with two of them being goals and it could’ve saved this game from being a last minute thriller.
Ducks vs. Oilers Prediction
I think this game can go one of two ways. Either it ends in a total blowout, or ends in overtime.
This has been a season filled with plenty of overtime battles, and it carried on throughout the playoffs.
Since Saturday, we’ve already had four overtime games, including one that went into double overtime, and I think we can see that again tonight.
The one thing that may prevent it from happening is that the Oilers tend to be smothering when the situation is dire. They stack the deck with McDavid, Draisaitl, Zach Hyman and Evan Bouchard, so they don’t even have to worry about heading into extra time.
But I like how the Ducks handled them. Anaheim has a lot of wily vets in Kreider, Jacob Trouba and John Carlson who have seen their fair share of playoff battles. And they’ll know just how to handle dynamic offenses at the last minute.
Game 1 was already a close battle. Time to ramp it up. Take this to go past the distance.
Pick: 60 Minute Tie (+370, FanDuel)
