Editor’s Note: Don’t just bet your favorite sports. LIVE YOUR BET LIFE! Get started today at PointsBet with two risk-free bets up to $2,000. Bet now!
Following a wild Game 1 in the Western Conference Final between the Oilers and Avalanche on Tuesday night, fans and bettors anxiously await tonight’s Game 2 to see what will unfold.
The obvious headline heading into tonight’s game – aside from the total being set at seven goals – is the absence of Colorado’s starting goaltender, Darcy Kuemper.
Kuemper exited Colorado’s Game 1 victory with an upper-body injury and will be unavailable for tonight’s Game 2, leaving Pavel Francouz as the Avalanche’s starting netminder.
How much of an effect will this have on this evening’s affair? Time will tell.
Below you will find a wager to consider from tonight’s Game 2 that is available at PointsBet.
For those unfamiliar with the term “overlay,” it simply refers to odds that are higher than an outcome’s true probability.
For example, if an outcome has a 50% chance of happening, the correlating odds would be +100.
If the odds offered on that specific event are +150, or an implied probability of 40%, then the price would represent an overlay.
EDMONTON OILERS at COLORADO AVALANCHE
Francouz has been quite good as a backup for the Avs all season, sporting a goals against average of 2.55 and a save percentage of .916 in twenty-one appearances.
By no means are these stellar numbers, but for a backup they’re more than sufficient.
The issue entering tonight’s Game 2 is twofold, however.
First, and most obvious, there’s a wild chasm between starting a ho-hum regular season game on a Thursday and starting Game 2 of the Western Conference Final on a Thursday.
Francouz was unspectacular in relief of Kuemper on Tuesday, stopping just 18 of the 21 shots he faced (.857 save percentage), lending credence to this idea.
Second, and perhaps more importantly, the Edmonton Oilers’ offense continues to be electric.
After falling behind 7-3 in the third period of Tuesday’s game, the Oilers could have easily packed it in and pointed their attention to tonight’s Game 2.
Instead, Edmonton rallied, cutting the deficit to a single goal midway through the third period.
While they didn’t end up coming all the way back, the mettle Jay Woodcroft’s team displayed is admirable and shouldn’t go unnoticed.
Editor’s Note: Now, all our premium tools for Fantasy, DFS and Betting are included in one subscription at one low price. Customers can subscribe to NBC Sports EDGE+ monthly ($9.99) or save 20% on an annual subscription ($95.88). And don’t forget to use promo code SAVE10 to get 10% off. Click here to learn more!
Edmonton’s offensive attack will always start with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, each of whom continue to be red-hot.
McDavid added three more points to his 2022 postseason tally, bringing his total to an astonishing 29 points through 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Not to be outdone, Draisaitl continued his wicked run of play beginning in the second round, having scored 19 points in his last six games – 17 of which are assists.
Evander Kane’s contributions can’t go overlooked, nor can those from Zach Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
If Mike Smith can bounce back from a nightmarish Game 1 start, the Oilers are live tonight against the Avs.
Edmonton’s moneyline price of +150 (implied probability of 40%) is appealing, but this feels like an opportunity to take advantage of a scorching offense against a backup goalie.
The Oilers’ reverse puck line (-1.5) odds of +350 (implied probability of 22.2%) are too juicy to pass up.
It may not be the likeliest of outcomes, but I’m siding with Edmonton to win tonight’s game by at least two goals.
THE PLAYS
Edmonton Oilers at Colorado Avalanche – Oilers -1.5 (+350)
PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner, and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links. NJ, IA, IN, IL, CO, MI, VA, WV only. 21+. T&C apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
