Tip: Edmonton Oilers Take Command at Home Against Utah HC

The weather in Edmonton can shift quickly in March, and the same goes for the Oilers' form. After starting their latest road trip with two losses to Buffalo and New Jersey, they bounced back with wins against the Islanders and Rangers. Now they return to Rogers Place, where they have a chance to build momentum in their pursuit of the Vegas Golden Knights in the Pacific Division. The first test is Utah HC—a team Edmonton has already beaten twice this season.

Edmonton on the Verge of Finding Form

The Edmonton Oilers have had an inconsistent stretch since early February, but their last two road wins against the New York teams suggest the team might be finding its groove. With a 39-28 record on the season, they’re still in the race for a top-3 spot in the Pacific Division, and the upcoming six games—five of which are at home—will be crucial in closing the gap to Vegas. Zach Hyman, who missed the last game, and Mattias Ekholm, expected to return tonight, further bolster the squad. Against a Utah team that, despite strong underlying numbers, has only won 30 of 67 games, Edmonton should be too big a challenge. And if there’s any team with strong underlying stats, it’s the Oilers, who, as usual, are one of the league’s best at generating scoring chances. The Canadians’ main issues have been shaky goaltending combined with weak defensive efforts. However, I feel the Oilers have taken steps in the right direction over the past few weeks and are on their way back to the strong play they exhibited a couple of months ago. The acquisition of Walman has also been valuable, with his presence in defense stabilizing the Oilers’ back end.

Utah Battles but Falls Short

Utah Hockey Club has been a pleasant surprise in their first season in Salt Lake City, posting a 30-26-11 record and holding a spot in the Western Conference wild card race. After a 3-1 win over Vancouver last time out, they have some momentum, but they’re still too reliant on Clayton Keller to carry the offense. Keller (75 points) is the team’s big star, but the depth behind him remains thin. While Utah boasts solid special teams and strong five-on-five underlying numbers, they struggle to convert chances into actual goals. Facing an Edmonton team that has beaten them in both prior meetings this season, it’s too steep a hill to climb.

Betting Tip and Conclusion

The Edmonton Oilers enter this game with improving form, home-ice advantage, and a bolstered roster featuring the return of Zach Hyman and Mattias Ekholm. Utah HC has shown they can compete, but in this matchup, I think we’ll see why the Edmonton Oilers remain one of the favorites for the Stanley Cup.

Edmonton Oilers FT @ -100 at bet365