Edmonton Oilers (48-25-6) vs. Colorado Avalanche (49-25-7)
Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche 4/18/24 – As the Edmonton Oilers gear up to face the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena this Thursday, both teams prepare to showcase their prowess in a clash that could foreshadow playoff intensity. Edmonton, with a 48-25-6 record, meets Colorado, slightly ahead with a 49-25-7 standing in the NHL regular season. This match-up promises high stakes and high drama, backed by premium picks and insights, setting the stage for an unmissable encounter.
Connor McDavid has been the offensive leader for the Oilers this season. He has compiled this season’s 130 points which included 31 goals and 99 assists. The duo forms an unstoppable plug that can score on the most dense of defenses, with Leon Draisaitl pulling through with 104 points on his own. The strength of the Oilers comes from the top line’s ability to translate playmaking to scoring opportunities, particularly in power play situations. Colorado might experience some trouble with this as their defense has had ups and downs, but the goal-against haven’t seen a huge blow up because of Georgiev the goalie.
Colorado’s offense is just as impressive as all-rounder Nathan MacKinnon who has 138 points scored on 51 goals and 87 assists. Mikko Rantanen and Cale Makar provide with this Avalanche one of the top offensive teams in the league. The offensive depth of their team will constantly put a question mark on Edmonton’s defensive setups, particularly whether Stuart Skinner, Oilers’ main goaltender, will be up to the task of saving the team during high-pressure situations. The 3200 minutes performance season of Skinner has been even, with the save percentage of .907 from it.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche 4/18/24 Game Info
| When: | Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 9:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Ball Arena |
| TV: | ESPN |
| Stream: | NHL.TV |
Goaltender Stuart Skinner vs. Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev
The gritty appearance of Stuart Skinner has been the hallmark of his performances in net. Boasting 35 wins this season, a decent 2.58 goals against average and a team that is good at deflecting the high-danger shots, Vanecek will be the deciding factor between the two teams that are on an attacking roll. Though his shootout save percentage can be considered pretty average, this number shows that he can come up big in crucial moments which the Avalanche’s tough strategy demands.
Alex Georgiev of the Avalanche is having a tough year with 3.02 goals against average but his saving percentage is .897 which is not bad. His experience and ability to succeed on the big stage will be critical in the Oilers’ top guns endeavor of capitalizing on the opponent’s weaknesses. The matchup of these netminders will primarily dictate the tempo and results of the game.
NHL Odds/Point Spread: TBD, Total Odds: TBD
The betting odds remain unspecified at this time, but insights suggest a closely contested matchup given the teams’ recent performances and historical head-to-head records. Bettors should monitor the puck line and over/under closely, as both teams have shown tendencies that could influence the betting landscape significantly.
Edmonton Oilers Betting Trends
The Oilers have proved a mixed bag lately with a 2-3 win-loss record (both outright and against the spread). This suggests they could be vulnerable on the road. Such should matter in betting. Their past performance shows that in 2/5 of last games they scored and conceded more goals. It is possible that the over total bets may be the choice due to this.
Colorado Avalanche Betting Trends
Colorado has been loading their recent games and they are going good, having won four of the last five games. But they have mixed ends up due to varied performances away from home games. Now as the numbers went over 3 in their last five games and with an overall trend towards high-scoring at home matches, next game might also go in the same betting trends.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche 4/18/24 Betting Picks
After observing team dynamics, goalie strengths, and their current condition, this game is tipped to be close with Colorado prevailing slightly thanks to their offensive consistency and home advantage. A gamble on Colorado may be smart, but one shouldn’t rule out the idea of Edmonton’s unexpected victory, given that McDavid and Draisaitl have been playing exceptionally well.
For prop bets, focus on player point totals, especially on McDavid and MacKinnon who would probably contribute key offensive production for their teams. A bet on the over or the total points can also be a good choice, as both teams have had their ups and downs scoring-wise lately.
This prediction anticipates an engaging battle with plenty of action on both sides, making it a must-watch and bet scenario. Enjoy the game and leverage these free hockey tips for your betting decisions.
Free Pick and Prediction: Colorado Avalanche 4, Edmonton Oilers 3.