The Vegas Golden Knights try to retake home-ice advantage from the Edmonton Oilers in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinals playoff series Monday. Puck drop at Rogers Place is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Golden Knights vs. Oilers odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
Season series: Tied 1-1
Vegas didn’t have the same fervor as the Oilers once the puck dropped in Game 2 as Edmonton bludgeoned them for 4 goals in the 1st period en route to a 5-1 victory. VGK responded in Game 1 to an early Oilers goal with 3 of its own, but the Knights were no match Saturday. C Ivan Barbashev made sure there was no shutout with his 3rd goal of the playoffs.
C Leon Draisaitl continued his onslaught with 2 more goals to give him 13 this postseason. C Connor McDavid joined in the fun with 2 of his own. The Oilers are a crazy 14-for-25 (56%) on the power play in the postseason. One thing is for sure, the Oilers start fast, and you must match their pace without getting penalties.
Golden Knights at Oilers odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub Lines last updated at 1:16 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Golden Knights +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Oilers -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Golden Knights +1.5 (-155) | Oilers -1.5 (+125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 7 (O: +110 | U: -135)
Golden Knights at Oilers projected goalies
Laurent Brossoit (7-0-3, 2.17 GAA, .927 SV%, 0 SO – regular season) vs. Stuart Skinner (29-14-5, 2.75 GAA, .914 SV%, 1 SO – regular season)
Brossoit was pulled in Game 2 after 2 periods and 5 goals scored Adin Hill came on and stopped the 4 shots he saw. The Knights should stick with Brossoit for now, but he hasn’t looked sharp in the series. He has stopped 50 of 59 shots for an .847 SV%.
When the 24-year-old Skinner is on, he puts on a show like he did in Game 2, stopping 30 of 31 shots. He has just been vastly inconsistent as that’s just the 2nd game this postseason he has allowed fewer than 2 goals. He has a 3.32 GAA and .895 SV% this postseason.
Golden Knights at Oilers picks and predictions
Prediction
Oilers 5, Golden Knights 4
Moneyline
We nailed all 3 wagers here in Game 1 and hit on 2 of the 3 in Game 2 as the Under somehow cashed after 4 1st-period goals. Speaking of such, we have had 9 goals scored in the 1st frame in the series. I’m not paying the -185 ML price on either team, but I will buy into the quick starts. Take OVER 2 FIRST PERIOD GOALS (+105), and we should at least get a push with some plus-money upside.
Puck line/Against the spread
Each of the last 3 meetings have resulted in multiple-goal finishes. However, the road team is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between the teams, and the underdog is 8-3 over the last 11. That doesn’t mean I think Vegas will win this game, though I do think they get one in Edmonton, and they’ll keep it tight enough to have a chance to steal it.
Take the GOLDEN KNIGHTS +1.5 (-155) as the books are undervaluing them in this one.
Over/Under
The Over missed in Game 2, despite Edmonton scoring 4 times in the 1st. The total has moved up to 7 for this one, and I feel the Over will hit again, but I’m not interested in the risk.
Head to the Win/Total section and take OILERS AND OVER 5.5 GOALS +120.
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