The second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights will take place on May 13 at Rogers Place. The series score is 2-1 in favor of Edmonton. Edmonton vs. Vegas: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton failed to extend their series lead, losing the last game in a closely contested match with a score of 3-4. The game started with end-to-end action, with forward Corey Perry scoring the first two goals for the hosts. The third goal was netted by forward Connor McDavid.
Notably, the team still leads in average goals scored per match (4.33%) and boasts one of the best power-play conversion rates (30%).
- Edmonton has conceded at least three goals in regular time in 6 of their last 7 NHL home encounters.
- The club has won 6 of their last 8 home games in the league (2 in OT).
- The team has scored at least three goals in regular time in 5 of their last 7 NHL home meetings.
Vegas Golden Knights
Vegas managed to close the gap in the series by narrowly clinching a victory against their opponents. The most prolific player was forward Reilly Smith, who scored a goal in the seventeenth minute of the first period to level the score before the break and netted the decisive goal in the last second of the third period, determining the outcome of the game.
In the current Stanley Cup playoffs, the team ranks second among the most conceding teams (31).
- Vegas has won 6 of their last 9 NHL away games (1 in shootouts, 2 in OT).
- The team has not lost in regulation time in 11 of their last 12 NHL away matches.
- The club has conceded at least two goals in 8 of their last 9 NHL away games.
Edmonton vs. Vegas: Match Prediction
Chris Knoblauch's team has every chance to advance to the next round, especially with the game once again being held at home. However, the opponent might surprise once more. Besides their good home performance, it's worth noting the number of goals scored in their games: at least 6 goals have been scored over three periods in 6 of their last 7 NHL matches.
Vegas has proven that they shouldn't be written off, as the club can still turn the situation in their favor, thanks to their strong attacking play: a minimum of 3 goals have been scored by the team in 5 of their last 6 NHL away matches. It's also important to highlight their head-to-head meetings, where at least 6 goals have been scored in regular time in 9 of their last 10 league games on Edmonton's ice.
Most of the recent games between the teams have been end-to-end, with the initiative shifting back and forth until the final minutes, resulting in a high score on the scoreboard. In my opinion, the upcoming match will be no exception, and the total score will be at least 6 goals. My prediction: Total over 5.5 goals
