Secondary scoring winning for Oilers
By Bob Duff
While captain Connor McDavid is on a three-game point streak, it's his lesser-known teammates who have the Edmonton Oilers ahead in their series with the Anaheim Ducks. Can they keep it going if McDavid doesn't step up his game? We look at all the wagering angles, with odds provided courtesy of Bovada.lv:
Edmonton Oilers (+115) at Anaheim Ducks (-145)
The Oilers acquired defenseman Adam Larsson from New Jersey to beef up their game without the puck but he was an offensive stud in Game 1, with a goal and two assists.
Larsson became the first Oilers defenseman to post multiple goals in a playoff game since Brian Glynn in Game 1 of the 1992 Division Semifinals at Los Angeles. Larsson also became the first defenseman in Oilers history to register at least three points in the third period of a playoff game.
Leon Draisaitl and Larsson became just the third pair of Oilers teammates to each record at least three points in the same period of a playoff game and the first to do so in the third period.
Draisaitl (2-5-7) leads the Oilers in playoff scoring, while Art Ross Trophy winner McDavid is next with 2-3-5 numbers but looks to be laboring and isn't exhibiting his trademark explosiveness.
There's speculation that McDavid suffered a rib injury in the first round against San Jose. Adding to Edmonton's scoring depth, Oilers forward Mark Letestu (2-0-2) posted his first career multi-goal playoff game in Game 1.
The Ducks saw their 18-game run (15-0-3) and 12-game home streak (11-0-1) without a regulation loss come to an end in Game 1. But it's only one game, right?
Well, not if you're the Ducks. They've lost the last five series in which they came up on the short end in Game 1. Of concern for the Ducks - defenseman Josh Manson and checker Andrew Cogilano shared the team lead with four shots in Game 1.
The over was the play in Game 1 of this set but will it be again in Game 2? Probably not.
The Ducks have gone over just five times in their last 17 games against Pacific Division opponents and Game 1 could merely have been caused by some rink rust from the long layoff following Anaheim's first-round sweep of Calgary.
With the total set at five, play the under at +115.
Pick: The Ducks (-145) and the under (5)
Nashville Predators (-125) at St. Louis Blues (-105)
While they finally gave up some goals in Game 1 of this set, the Predators continued to get difference-making performances from their core - P.K.
Subban set a franchise record for defensemen with three points and Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen each extended their point streaks to six games as the Preds improved to 6-0 in the postseason.
The broken femur suffered by speedy Kevin Fiala, a two-goal sniper in Round One, could be of concern but the secondary scoring continued against St. Louis as Vernon Fiddler and Colin Wilson both netted their first goals of the playoffs.
The Blues were 8-4-1 at home to close out the regular season but are 1-2 at the Scottrade Center in the playoffs and 5-8 their in their last 13 postseason contests.
Based on their solid start to the postseason, TopBet.eu has established the Predators as their +170 choice to capture the Western Conference title.
Pick: The Blues (-105) and the under (5)
Results / FixturesNHL
Category : Betting Picks
Tag : Connor McDavid
, Is Edmonton's Connor McDavid Hurt?
, Leon Draisaitl
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