Edmonton Oilers at Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview/Prop Picks

Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals is set for Thursday night between the Edmonton Oilers and the Colorado Avalanche. Colorado took the series opener by a score of 8-6 in one of the most entertaining hockey games of the year.

Edmonton is a pretty significant underdog in this series, but they provided a solid challenge in Game 1. The Oilers dispatched the Calgary Flames last round, and they have proven that they can win on the road.

Colorado comes into this game with a ton of momentum, and they have gone 9-2 through their first 11 playoff games this postseason. The Avalanche are the betting favorites to win the Stanley Cup, and they have looked the part. 

The Colorado Avalanche are once again betting favorites in Game 2 as the moneyline odds are set at -183. 

Oilers Have to Defend

The Edmonton Oilers have to find a way to be better defensively if they are going to steal a game on the road. Edmonton allowed over three goals per game during the regular season, and that defense has always presented an issue.

Goaltender Mike Smith was pulled early in Game 1, and the Oilers have yet to decide who will be in the blue paint. Edmonton allowed Colorado to get 46 shots on goal, and that simply can’t happen again on Thursday night.

Evander Kane scored his 13th postseason goal in the series opening loss, and the Oilers have the ability to score goals in a hurry. Look for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl step up in a big way in Game 2 in an attempt to spark the offense. 

Kuemper Dealing With Injury

The Avalanche might have won the series opener, but the team also lost goaltender Darcy Kuemper in the process. Kuemper had to leave in the second period of Game 1, and his absence would create a massive hole if he is unable to play.

Cale Makar was one of the many stars for Colorado in Game 1 as he had a goal and two assists. Colorado had seven different players score in that win, and it just speaks to the depth that this team has. 

The Avalanche are also looking to tighten things up on the defensive end, but they also know that they can score right with the Oilers. Colorado also scored the only power play goal in the series opener, and that unit has been great for the Avalanche. 

Edmonton Can’t Solve Colorado

This entire series is going to be thrilling to watch, and most games should play out in the same way that Game 1 did. It’s hard to see these teams scoring 14 goals again, but this series will be won on the offensive end of the ice.

Edmonton might have two of the best players in the NHL, but Colorado simply has too much depth. The Avalanche also have the benefit of playing this game on their home ice, and they aren’t going to give up the advantage.

This game should be tighter throughout, but the end result is going to be the same. Take the Colorado Avalanche -183 as they take a 2-0 series lead over the Edmonton Oilers.

Prop Picks

Edmonton (+155) UNDER 2.5 Goals

Colorado is allowing 2.8 goals per game on defense, which ranks No. 9 in the league, while killing 79.7 percent of the opposing teams’ power plays, which ranks No. 15.  Scores have gone UNDER in eight of the Avalanche’s last nine Thursday games.

With Dunkel predicting a Colorado victory by the score of 3-2, take the Oilers (+155) to finish UNDER their Vegas team total of 2.5 goals against the Avalanche.

Pavel Francouz (-125) OVER 29.5 Saves

Francouz had a .916 save percentage (557 saves, 608 shots against) during the regular season. That percentage increased to .921 (255 saves, 277 shots against) at home and .923 (419 saves, 454 shots against) in Colorado wins.

With Dunkel predicting an Avalanche win while keeping Edmonton UNDER their Vegas team goal total, take Francouz (-125) to finish OVER 29.5 saves versus the Oilers.

Keep up with your latest NHL news coverage and betting pick previews at The Dunkel Index.

All Media on this page by Associated Press.