The Edmonton Oilers (9-8-4) and Washington Capitals (9-8-2) meet in the NHL tonight. Puck drop is set for 7:00 p.m. EST at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. The game will be broadcast live on TNT.
Let's get into my Oilers vs. Capitals predictions and NHL picks.
The Capitals are favored by -1.5 on the puck line, with the over/under set at 5.5 (-130 / +110). The Capitals are a -115 favorite to win outright, while the Oilers are -105 to pull off the upset.
Oilers vs. Capitals Odds, Pick
| Oilers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -250 | 5.5 -130o / 110u | -105 |
| Capitals Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +205 | 5.5 -130o / 110u | -115 |
- Oilers vs. Capitals Puck Line: Oilers +1.5 (-250), Capitals -1.5 (+205)
- Oilers vs. Capitals Over/Under: 5.5 (-130 / +110)
- Oilers vs. Capitals Moneyline: Oilers -105, Capitals -115
Oilers vs. Capitals Preview
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers have struggled to get back into form following another grueling postseason push for the Cup. The concerning part for Edmonton is that its offense, which it typically relies on heavily, has found difficulty scoring.
This season, the Oilers rank in the bottom half of the league in goals scored per game. Their main issue is an inability to produce high-danger scoring chances, as they rank 23rd in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).
Meanwhile, the defensive play and goaltending remain at their below-average level. Entering this matchup, Edmonton ranks 23rd in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
Backing up this poor blue line is goaltender Stuart Skinner, who is projected to start between the pipes Wednesday. Skinner has surrendered three or more goals in five of his past six starts, posting a .870 save percentage and 3.42 goals-against average over that stretch.
Those woes are likely to continue against the Washington Capitals, a team Skinner struggled against in their latest meeting. Skinner allowed three goals on just 14 shots for a .786 save percentage en route to a 3-2 loss.
Washington Capitals
Washington has been better than Edmonton all over the ice this season. The Capitals outrank the Oilers in both xGF/60 and xGA/60, proving to be the superior team both offensively and defensively.
That said, the biggest gap between these two teams is in net, as Logan Thompson is expected to get the nod for Washington. Just one year removed from a fourth-place finish in the Vezina Trophy race, Thompson currently possesses the second-shortest odds to win the award this season.
He’s played brilliantly, posting a .925 save percentage and 1.85 goals-against average through 13 starts. Thompson was also in net for that aforementioned 3-2 victory over Edmonton last year.
In that outing, Thompson stopped 30 of 32 shots for a dominant .938 save percentage.
Oilers vs. Capitals Prediction
Washington possesses nearly every edge in this matchup. This season, the Capitals are stronger than the Oilers offensively, defensively and in net.
Washington also boasts home-ice advantage, which is yet another edge for this group. Entering this contest, the Oilers are just 4-7-2 on the road.
Pick: Capitals ML (-115 | Play to -120)
