There may only be a few days left of the 2023-24 NHL regular season, but we still have some incredible matchups to enjoy as we approach the Stanley Cup playoffs. That includes a potential Western Conference Finals preview between the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks today.
- Canucks 3-way Money Line
- Over 6.5 Total Goals
- Quinn Hughes to record an assist
Canucks have cruised through Edmonton this year
Despite the Edmonton Oilers being one of the Stanley Cup favorites and having arguably the best dynamic duo in decades - Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl - this season has been all about the Vancouver Canucks. After an extremely disappointing 2022-23, the ‘Nucks have bounced back in a big way.
Not only are they leading the way in the Pacific Division above the Oilers, but they still have a chance to earn the #1 overall seed in the Western Conference. In other words, their motivation is still sky-high heading into this matchup. Along with their dominance over Edmonton, we’re comfortable backing them to win this game in regulation.
In their three previous meetings this season, Vancouver is 3-0 and has won those games by a combined score of 18-6. With the Oilers on the second night of a back-to-back, we expect that trend to continue tonight.
There have been goals aplenty in this Pacific Division rivalry
Speaking of those previous matchups, there have been plenty of fireworks. Of course, that should come as no surprise given who is on the ice. McDavis and Draisaitl themselves produce as much offense as some entire teams, and once again, they are both over 100 points on the season.
Similarly, the Canucks offense is what has propelled such a great year-to-year turnaround. They’re the sixth-highest-scoring team in the NHL, which is why we’ve seen them score six goals per game against Edmonton this year. All three of their previous meetings have gone over the total, and we’re predicting it to be another high-scoring game tonight.
Quinn Hughes continues to collect apples
One of the primary reasons that the Canucks have been able to generate so much offense is due to a defenseman. The brother of the New Jersey Devils’ Jack Hughes was a co-captain of one of the All-Star teams this year, and rightfully so.
Setting up his teammates is what he’s best at, which is proven in the numbers. His 74 assists this year are the fourth-most in the entire league, and now he and Vancouver get to take advantage of the Oilers’ tired skates. Hughes has had a whopping seven assists in three games against Edmonton this year, so look for him to make it at least eight for the season series.
QUINN HUGHES TO RECORD AN ASSIST
