Oilers Aim for Playoff Push Against Struggling Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are set to face the Edmonton Oilers tonight at 9:00 p.m. EDT after coming off different results over the weekend. The game will take place at Rogers Place, Edmonton, marking the third of four meetings between these Pacific Division rivals this season.
Currently, the Ducks hold a record of 26 wins, 26 losses, and 7 overtime losses (26-26-7), with their recent performance resembling a roller-coaster ride. After playing one of their best games of the season against Vancouver, the Ducks dropped the ball against the bottom-rung Chicago Blackhawks, suffering a disappointing 6-3 defeat. This setback has seen their postseason chances plummet from approximately 9% to just 3%. Tonight's matchup against the playoff-contending Oilers (35-21-4) could serve as the wakeup call they desperately need.
Leading the charge for the Ducks is Troy Terry, who has been the team's scoring leader this season with 45 points. The Ducks have maintained remarkable consistency when scoring at least three goals, boasting a record of 22 wins, 1 loss, and 3 overtime losses when hitting this benchmark. Conversely, their loss against Chicago marked the first time this year they stumbled after scoring three goals.
Trevor Zegras is set to return tonight after serving a three-game suspension. The Ducks managed only one win during his absence, which places additional emphasis on his expected impact upon his return. The Ducks’ record with Zegras is significantly stronger, showing they are 17-13-4 with him on the ice compared to 9-13-3 without him.
On the goaltending front, there is much intrigue surrounding who will take the crease for Anaheim. John Gibson, who returned recently from injury, did not have the best showing against Chicago, allowing six goals on just 24 shots. He boasts season stats of 2.80 goals against average and .911 save percentage. Alternatively, the team may lean toward Lukas Dostal, their 1A goaltender, who has been solid when called upon.
The Oilers, on the other hand, are hoping to find their playoff form and have struggled lately with only three wins out of their last ten games (3-6-1). Despite recent bumps, their roster still features superstars like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who collectively pose one of the biggest threats to opposing defenses. Draisaitl has been particularly on fire, leading the league with 44 goals and amassing 90 points, putting him just one point behind Nathan MacKinnon for the overall points lead.
Last's game victory against the Carolina Hurricanes, where they won 3-1, may help spark momentum for the Oilers. Calvin Pickard, starting his second consecutive game, demonstrated his capability by making 35 saves and halting the team's five-game losing streak. Oilers’ head coach Kris Knoblauch praised Pickard's recent performances and stated, "I think he's won his last 12 of his 14 starts – quality starts too." This confidence could be what Edmonton needs to start stringing together successful outings as they push for the postseason.
There's also the question of both teams’ performance metrics. The Oilers average 3.26 goals per game compared to the Ducks' 2.56. Defensively, the Ducks allow 3.06 goals per game, ranking them 21st in the league, which could spell trouble against Edmonton's high-octane offense.
Betting expectations are leaning heavily toward the Oilers tonight. They are currently positioned as hefty -360 favorites with the Ducks at +280. The point spread is set at Oilers -1.5 and the over/under is listed at 6.5 goals. With Edmonton dominating recent meetings—averaging five goals per game over their last 10 encounters with Anaheim—expect fireworks as both teams take the ice.
For those considering prop bets, Leon Draisaitl to score at any time sits at -120, which could also prove enticing. Zach Hyman scoring at +155 offers another avenue for betting enthusiasts. Given Zegras' return, the potential for increased offensive output from the Ducks could also make Alex Killorn's score at +420 worth exploring.
Predictions are cautiously optimistic for the Oilers. Many analysts project them to emerge victoriously with estimates around 5-2, reflecting their superior offensive depth compared to the Ducks' inconsistent performance. The Ducks will need to neutralize Edmonton's league-leading scoring threats to have any chance of turning their fortunes around.
With puck drop approaching, fans on both sides are eager for what promises to be an exciting matchup. Will Edmonton find their groove and push closer to the playoffs, or can the Ducks pull off the upset and reinvigorate their season? Only time will tell.