Golden Knights to capitalize on potentially McDavid-less Oilers
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Three NHL games are scheduled for Wednesday night, but only one pops off the page.
Let's look at how we're attacking the day's marquee matchup.
Golden Knights (-105) @ Oilers (-115)
The Oilers could be playing without superstar Connor McDavid in what might well be a playoff preview for the opening round. That'd be a problem.
Edmonton played without its captain for two games earlier this season, dropping both contests and being outscored by six on aggregate.
Life without McDavid has never really been kind to the Oilers. Dating back a few seasons, they've dropped six of the last seven without him, and the offense dried up as they scored more than three goals just once.
While this could be the best version of Edmonton we've seen, I still expect the struggles without McDavid to continue against the Golden Knights if he's unable to play.
Vegas sits tied for sixth in five-on-five goal share over the past 10 games, and its lineup is seemingly getting better by the day. Tomas Hertl made his highly anticipated team debut Monday and found the scoresheet while logging over 20 minutes of ice time.
Hertl gives an already-quality club another impact player who can raise the floor and ceiling nightly.
I think the Golden Knights are better than the McDavid-less Oilers. They're also jockeying for seeding and coming off a pair of losses. Look for a hungry Vegas team to earn two points in this one.
Bet: Golden Knights (+100)
Jack Eichel: Over 3.5 shots
We've consistently targeted Eichel in recent weeks, and there's no reason to get away from that Wednesday.
Eichel recorded at least four shots in 15 of the past 19 games and posted three in each exception. He's shooting the puck a ton.
Vegas ranks fourth in five-on-five pace over the last 10 contests and should create a healthy shooting environment for Eichel in an enticing matchup.
The Oilers have also conceded 11.10 shots per game to centers during that span, tied for eighth most in the NHL.
With Edmonton playing high-event hockey and struggling to slow opposing centers, Eichel is primed to continue his shooting success.
Odds: -134 (playable to -150)
Evander Kane: Over 2.5 shots
Kane has slowed down lately, but a few things are working in his favor here.
He's consistently fared well on home ice, generating three shots or more at a 62% clip this season and 67% over the last two years.
Kane is also coming off three days of rest, which has served him well both times this campaign. Over two such instances, Kane posted 11 shots on 21 attempts.
And McDavid's potential absence opens the door for more offensive opportunities. Kane is skating in the top six and could be on the No. 1 power-play unit, which he's usually not a part of.
Kane recorded at least three shots in both games McDavid missed earlier in the season despite difficult matchups against the Rangers and Wild. I expect him to do the same against the Golden Knights.
Odds: +103 (playable to -125)
Todd Cordell is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X at @ToddCordell.