The Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche meet for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals Thursday at Ball Arena in Denver. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. ET (TNT). The Avalanche lead the series 1-0.
The Oilers lost a high-scoring 8-6 battle in Game 1. G Mike Smith was pulled after allowing 6 goals, going down 6-3. Edmonton was able to close to within 7-6 at one point behind the play of G Mikko Koskinen, but it couldn’t get over the hump.
The Avalanche scored a playoff-high 8 goals in Game 1, but the victory came with a price. G Darcy Kuemper left the game shortly after Smith was pulled with an upper-body injury. G Pavel Francouz became the 4th goaltender in the game and is likely to start Game 2.
Oilers at Avalanche odds and lines
- Money line: Oilers +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Avalanche -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Oilers +1.5 (-150) | Avalanche -1.5 (+120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -125)
Oilers at Avalanche projected goalies
Mike Smith (8-3-0, 3.12 GAA, .917 SV%, 2 SO – postseason) vs Pavel Francouz (3-0-0, 3.59 GAA, .889 SV% – postseason)
Smith was yanked in Game 1 after yielding 6 goals on 25 shots in just 26:20. He is still likely to get the nod over Mikko Koskinen, who allowed just 1 goal on 21 shots. However, if Smith gets off to another slow start, a short leash wouldn’t be shocking.
Francouz allowed 3 goals on 21 shots in relief of Kuemper for the victory. The Swiss-born netminder is now 3-0 with a 3.59 GAA in 3 appearances and 1 start in the postseason.
Money line
The OILERS (+145) are about to experience a little deja vu. Edmonton lost 9-6 in Game 1 at the Calgary Flames in its previous series, then bounced back with a 5-3 road win in Game 2. After a high-scoring game with a total in the teens, I expect the Oilers to bounce back and again win by a 5-3 score in Denver. This team has proven to be very resilient in the postseason to date.
Against the spread
The OILERS +1.5 (-150) aren’t a bad value if you don’t trust them on the road and would like a little insurance. Edmonton should fare better against Francouz if he starts. Head coach Jared Bednar didn’t confirm that, but on Wednesday he seemed to indicate Kuemper’s upper-body injury might keep him out.
Over/Under
The OVER 7.5 (+100) seems like a crazy play, but it’s worth a small-unit wager at even money. This is the highest non-All-Star Game line I’ve ever seen. But it might not be high enough if these teams play as they did in the series opener. With a backup netminder likely for Colorado, the lamp should be going off fairly frequently yet again.
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