Oilers vs Canucks Prediction, Picks, and Odds for Tonight’s NHL Playoff Game

"We have a Top 6 offense and defense," the Vancouver Canucks say smugly. "We have a Connor McDavid," replies the Edmonton Oilers.

With the series now a best-of-three, my Oilers vs. Canucks prediction is backing McJesus to put this offense on his back tonight with his playmaking. Find out more below in my NHL picks for this May 16 scuffle.

Oilers vs Canucks prediction

My best bet
Connor McDavid Over 1.5 assists (+130 at Sports Interaction)

My analysis
Betting on the best player in the world in his team's biggest game of the season just feels right. Connor McDavid has four multi-point games in the postseason thus far, but what's caught my eye is he's had multiple assists in each one. No. 97 passed out 100 apples in the regular season, and he's already up to 16 in nine postseason games.

Pricing also plays a point in my decision to go with two assists rather than two points since he's +130 for a pair of apples but just -160 for the points. I don't see a reason to drink so much juice when we've seen these two props correlate 100% of the time up to this point of the postseason.

McDavid had just one assist in the two games at home, but he recorded four in the first two at Vancouver. One of the reasons his assists were down was due to the lack of production from Zach Hyman, who went goalless in three straight after scoring nine times in the first six games.

That pace wasn't sustainable, but going four straight without a goal while playing next to McDavid is as hard as it gets. With McDavid registering 4+ shots in three straight, it's only a matter of time before Hyman buries one off his shot, which gives us an apple for the Edmonton Oilers captain.

McDavid also plays on the first power-play unit for the Oilers, which is operating at an absurd 46.7% clip. For most teams, that's unsustainable, but for a team harboring a PP with two 100-point getters and a 50-goal scorer, it makes things easier.

There are too many opportunities for McDavid to collect assists tonight, and I expect his team to capitalize on those setups in the biggest game of the season after he recorded just one helper in his last two.

Oilers vs Canucks same-game parlay (SGP)

Zach Hyman anytime goalscorer

First period Over 0.5 goals

Canucks +1.5

+270 at Sports Interaction

Hyman has been held scoreless in his last three and has taken 15 shots in that same timeframe. From a 50-goal scorer with an 18.6 shooting percentage, it's a matter of if not when he buries his 10th of the postseason.

There have been two or more goals scored in the opening frame in three of four games this series, with the last outing being the only exception. With that said, the Oilers did find the back of the net, and I expect more early scoring tonight. I'm taking the safer approach at 0.5 but don't mind playing 1.5 if you're looking for a bigger payout.

Each game so far has been decided by one, and I don't see that changing tonight, regardless of who wins. The Vancouver Canucks are playing Edmonton hard, and they have more than enough firepower to keep up with their West Coast foe.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Oilers vs Canucks odds

Oilers vs Canucks live odds

Oilers vs Canucks opening odds

• Puck line: Edmonton -155 (+155) | Vancouver +1.5 (-190)
• Moneyline: Edmonton -150 | Vancouver +125
• Over/Under: Over 6.5 (+100) | Under 6.5 (+100)

Oilers vs Canucks moneyline and Over/Under analysis

• The Oilers opened as -159 favorites, but money on the Vancouver has actually bumped the visitors down to slightly to -145.
• The total opened at 6.5 with the Over paying +100, and it's stayed pat there at SIA with no movement.
• Tonight's total was eclipsed in the first three games but not in Game 4. The Over paying plus money is likely due to these teams playing more conservatively with the series now a best-of-three.

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Oilers vs Canucks trend

The Oilers have hit the first-period game total Over in 10 of their last 12 games (+7.25 Units / 44% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Oilers vs. Canucks.

Oilers vs Canucks game info

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