Face-off: 1900 ET, 05/03/2022
Arena: Rogers Place
Edmonton battled hard for points during a five-match road trip and will be keen to mark this homecoming with a win over Montreal.
The Canadiens can’t be taken lightly after being rejuvenated by a change of leadership, but the Oilers are desperate to boost their play-off prospects.
We’re going with 6.5 for a home win by exactly two goals in regular time in our Edmonton Oilers vs Montreal Canadiens predictions.
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Edmonton Oilers Odds
Edmonton returned from their travels with a respectable 2-2-1 record after going down 4-3 in overtime at Chicago on Thursday.
Evander Kane bagged a brace and Leon Draisaitl netted his 38th goal of the season as the Oilers came from behind three times, but the Blackhawks snatched the decider.
Head coach Jay Woodcroft said: “It’s always nice when you’re down by a goal late in the game to find a way to send it to overtime.
“I think it speaks to our players’ character to push in that fashion. In the end, we found a way to get a point out of a tough game.”
Connor McDavid had a couple of assists to reach 50 for the year, so Edmonton’s big guns are going well.
Looking at the NHL odds here, the Oilers have a vastly-superior power play percentage and that could prove decisive in a 4-2 success at 17.0.
Montreal Canadiens Odds
Many pundits, including us, were guilty of thinking Montreal’s bubble had burst after an 8-4 loss at Winnipeg ended a five-match winning run.
However, the Canadiens are made of sterner stuff under new boss Martin St Louis and responded with a 5-4 overtime triumph at Calgary, who had won 11 straight on home ice.
The Habs had to come from 3-1 behind at one stage but Ben Chiarot’s second strike of the game eventually earned them the victory.
Mike Hoffman had a goal and three assists, while Nick Suzuki continued his good form with three more points.
“That’s a big one, beating a team like that,” Chiarot said. “They’re at the top of the standings and you can see why. They don’t give you any room out there.
“That’s a big one for the confidence of the team, knowing we can play with anybody. That’s a big one for the character of the team, I think.”
Montreal should have their moments again at Rogers Place but we’re hoping Edmonton will be just that little bit hungrier.
Let’s add 2.7 for a home win in regular time and both teams to score at least twice to our Oilers vs Canadiens predictions.
Additional stats
Last result:
Chicago 4-3 EDMONTON (OT)
Calgary 4-5 MONTREAL (OT)
Season head-to-head: Montreal 2-7 Edmonton
