The NHL will have its last full day of the NHL regular season on April 29. Fifteen games are up on the board throughout Friday night. One of these games will be between the Vancouver Canucks and the Vancouver Canucks. These two teams have had opposite seasons so far, but will look for a big win in this one. This game will drop the puck at around 9:00 PM Eastern time.
Vancouver has earned a record of 40-30-11 throughout this season, which has them in fifth place of the Pacific division. The Canucks have won their last two games and eight of their last eleven. Vancouver has fallen out of the playoff picture, but I think they will finish the season strong in this one. I expect the Canucks to step up early in this one.
The Oilers have put up a record of 48-27-6 so far this season, which has them in second place of the Pacific division. Edmonton has won two games in a row and six of their last seven. The Oilers have locked up the second seed in the Pacific and will meet up with the Los Angeles Kings. These two teams will look for a fast start on Saturday.
These two teams have been solid throughout this season and will look for a big win in this one. The Canucks have put up a great second half to the season, but were not able to overcome their struggling start. Edmonton has been one of the hottest teams since Woodcroft took over. If either team can come out quickly in this one, it could be enough for the win.
Game Overview
The following odds are courtesy of Bovada:
| Teams | Spread | Money Line | Total |
| Vancouver Canucks | +1 ½ (-150) | +145 | Over 6 ½ (-125) |
| Edmonton Oilers | -1 ½ (+130) | -170 | Under 6 ½ (+105) |
| Team Data | Vancouver Canucks | Edmonton Oilers |
| Overall Record | 40-30-11 | 48-27-6 |
| Away/ Home Record | 20-16-4 | 27-12-1 |
| Goals Per Game | 3.01 | 3.49 |
| Goals Per Game Away/ Home | 2.98 | 3.73 |
| Save Percentage | .911 | .904 |
| Save Percentage Away/ Home | .904 | .906 |
Betting Trends
Vancouver Canucks
- 8-4 in April games
- 3-4 on Friday nights
- 3-9 on back to back nights
- 13-12 against divisional opponents
- 16-8 after a divisional game
- 19-25 against team with a winning record
Edmonton Oilers
- 10-3 in April games
- 5-3 on Friday nights
- 3-6 on back to back nights
- 20-5 against divisional opponents
- 17-7 after a divisional game
- 15-14 after allowing four goals or more
- 23-16 after scoring four goals or more
- 23-13 against team with a losing record
These two teams have met up three times this season. Connor McDavid had two assists in the first game as the Oilers earned a 3-2 win. Leon Draisaitl and Warren Foegele each scored in the second meeting as Edmonton won 2-1. McDavid had a goal and an assist in the third matchup, including the overtime winner as the Oilers won 3-2.
Let's finish strong 👊
🆚 @EdmontonOilers
⏰ 6:00 PM PT
📍 Rogers Place
📺 Sportsnet Pacific
📻 Sportsnet 650GAME NOTES | https://t.co/kkhiY30HnW pic.twitter.com/sexYpio1HX
— Vancouver #Canucks (@Canucks) April 29, 2022
Special Teams
The Canucks have been solid on the power play throughout this season. Vancouver has scored on 58 of their 245 of their power play attempts, which is a 23.7 percent power play. The Canucks have killed off 172 of their opponents 230 power play chances, which is a 74.8 percent kill rate. Vancouver is 8th on the power play and 30th on the kill this season.
Edmonton has been solid on special teams this season. The Oilers have capitalized on 61 of their 234 power play opportunities, which is a 26.1 percent success rate. Edmonton has given up 52 power play goals on 250 penalties against, which is a 79.2 percent penalty kill. The Oilers are 3rd on the man advantage and 17th on the penalty kill.
These two teams have been strong on the power play throughout this season, while their penalty kills have struggled. Vancouver has had the worse penalty kill and will look to turn it around. The Oilers have improved their penalty kill under Woodcroft. If either team can get a power play goal in this one, it could be enough for the win.
Goaltending Comparison
I expect Spencer Martin to get the start in the crease for Vancouver in this one. Martin has earned a record of 3-0-2 throughout his five starts this season. He has posted a .951 save percentage and a GAA of 1.72. Martin finished with 33 saves on 35 shots in his last start against the Los Angeles Kings, which was enough for the win.
Mike Smith will likely get the nod between the pipes for the Oilers on Friday night. Smith has started in 27 games this season, going 16-9-2 in those matchups. He has put up a save percentage of .915 and a 2.81 GAA in those outings. Smith’s last start was against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He stopped 33 of 34 shots in route to the win.
These two goalies have been strong throughout this season and will look for a big win in this one. Martin will look to remain hot in those one after a strong opening to his career. He has won three games in a row. Smith has been extremely hot, winning nine starts in a row. If either goalie can come out quickly, it could be enough for the win.
Pick Overview
These two teams have been solid throughout this season and will look for a big win in this one. Edmonton has been strong throughout this season and will look for a quick start in this one. The Oilers have been the better team this season, but they will likely rest some players in this one. If Vancouver can come out fast, I think they can avoid being swept on the season series.
Bovada has Edmonton listed as a -170 against the money line in this one. This implies that the Oilers will win this game around 63 percent of the time. I think that this line should be closer to even with Edmonton resting up for the playoffs. Vancouver dropped the first three games of the season series, but I expect them to come fast in this one. As underdogs, I like the value on the Canucks.
