Edmonton Oilers at Colorado Avalanche Western Conference Finals Game 2 Betting Preview
Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals was nothing but goals, goals, and goals; the Colorado Avalanche won Game 1 by a final score of 8-6.
Expect many more goals in Game 2 and throughout the rest of the series. Puck drop will be at 8 p.m. ET at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. There is no shortness of star power in this series.
The Edmonton Oilers have yet to lose two games in a row in the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. They have been a resilient hockey team all season long. This could potentially be a very long series.
Always a Team that Bounces Back
Edmonton Oilers have scored four or more goals in nine of the 13 playoff games they have appeared in during the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Zach Hyman has stepped up his game and has scored nine goals this postseason for Edmonton.
In the 13 games that they have played this postseason, Connor McDavid has had multi-point games in 11 of those 13 contests. He has been the best player on the ice, and this trend should not be ignored when betting potential player props.
Leon Draisaitl has recorded two or more assists in the last four games. As good as McDavid has been, Draisaitl has just been as good, and he hasn’t been recognized as much by the media.
One of the biggest questions heading into Game 2 will be who will be the starting goalie. Will it be Mike Smith who was pulled after six goals, or will it be Mikko Kosiken, who only gave up one goal in his relief appearance?
A Team That Scores In Bunches
In 11 postseason games, Colorado has scored four or more goals seven times. Cale Makar has recorded at least one point in the past four out of five games. He is the best defenseman on the ice.
Nathan MacKinnon has scored four goals in his last two home games, and this is another important trend to keep an eye on when betting player props. He has scored at least one goal in four of the six home games this postseason.
Another question that they are going to have to figure out is who will be the starting goalie in Game 2? Is Darcy Kuemper healthy enough to start, or is it going to be Pavel Francouz?
Francouz made 18 saves in Game 1 in a backup role for the Avalanche, and he can be relied upon if Kuemper has to miss a lengthy period of time due to injury.
Oilers/Avalanche Betting Prediction
The Edmonton Oilers have always found a way to bounce back so far this postseason after a Game 1 loss. Edmonton is 2-0 this postseason in Game 2s, and the Colorado Avalanche has not covered the spread either in Game 2s in the first and the second round.
During the regular season, the Oilers were just 19-22 on the road against the spread, and the Avalanche were 22-19 against the spread at home. Going from Game 1 to Game 2 is a big-time adjustment for both teams.
The over/under goals total for Game 2 is set at seven goals. This should easily go over in Game 2 because the goaltending match-up is going to be a very dicey situation on both sides.
Actually, does it really matter who is in net? There are going to be goals no matter what in this hockey game because there is star power all over the ice.
At the end of the day, the Oilers will find a way to even this series up against the Avalanche. Edmonton +1.5 is the pick to play for this one.
