Oilers vs. Kraken Best Bets: High Stakes Game for the Edmonton Oilers (Archive)
NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers Team Total Over 3.5 (+105) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
It’s a must-win game for the Oilers tonight as they are level on points with the Seattle Kraken but the home team has played three games less, giving the Kraken a big advantage when it comes to the playoffs spots.
Check out our best bets for this game and who we believe holds value to get on the NHL odds board in this fixture.
If you’re located in the Seattle area you can use one of these Washington betting sites to make a bet.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Seattle Kraken
Friday, December 30, 2022 – 10:00 PM EST at Climate Pledge Arena
Edmonton Oilers Analysis
The Oilers rely heavily on their star players as they have not got much offense going outside of their top six and their offense from the blue line is almost none existent. With that said they still average 3.56 goals per game (the third-highest in the league). Evander Kane is still out with a wrist injury.
Where the Oilers have been strong this season is on the power play as they boast the best in the league, scoring 32% of the time and leading the NHL with the most power-play goals. On the flip side the Oilers have the sixth-worst penalty kill and their number one goaltender Jack Campbell has allowed -10 goals above expected.
Last time out the Oilers narrowly beat the Canadiens' rivals, the Calgary Flames 2-1.
Seattle Kraken Analysis
After starting the season in strong form, the Seattle Kraken have slipped into mediocre form during the month of December, following up their 10-game unbeaten streak with just three wins from their previous 10 games.
However, it’s not all that bad though as Seattle’s offense has scored 3.48 goals per game (the sixth-highest in the NHL). With that being said there is no “Star” player on this team as eleven players have 15+ points. It’s not a bad thing by any means, but they can be very unpredictable.
The most worrying thing for Seattle ahead of this game is the fact they have the second-worst penalty kill in the NHL. Last time out Seattle lost 3-2 to the Calgary Flames and have not lost by 2+ goals in 4 of their previous 5 losses.
Stats and Trends
Edmonton Oilers
- The total has gone over in 6 of Edmonton's last 7 games
- Edmonton is 7-1 in their last 8 games played on a Friday
- The total has gone over in 6 of Edmonton's last 8 games on the road
Seattle Kraken
- Seattle is 3-7 in their last 10 games
- The total has gone under in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games played on a Friday
- Seattle is 7-2 in their last 9 games against an opponent in the Western Conference
*Trends should never be your main source of information when it comes to making your NHL picks. They are merely guidelines and mostly irrelevant information but nonetheless can be interesting to read and might steer you in the right direction.
Oilers vs. Kraken Picks and Predictions
- Edmonton Oilers Team Total Over/Under
Seattle is allowing 3.16 goals per game and having the second-worst penalty kill against this Edmonton team who are top-ranked on the powerplay we are prepared to take the Oilers over 3.5 team total for plus money.
In recent games, the Oilers have scored 5/0/5/3/5/1/6 goals against this Seattle Kraken team. With the Oilers needing a win here we believe they will likely need 4 goals to do so as Seattle should be able to knock at least 2 or 3 goals past this poor defense/goaltending combo.
- Leon Draisaitl Anytime Goalscorer
It’s been a rocky time for Leon Draisaitl in recent weeks. He's now gone six games without a goal in the NHL, his longest goalless streak in the regular season since March 2020.
It’s not been for a lack of trying as he has accumulated 3.8 shots per game in that stretch, having had 3/4/4/3/4/5 shots in his last six outings.
We are liking the +110 odds for Draisaitl to break his duck tonight and find the back of the net in this must-win road game for the Oilers.
Predicted Score: Seattle 3 - Edmonton 4
NHL Pick: Edmonton Oilers Team Total Over 3.5 (+105) at BetOnline
NHL Pick: Leon Draisaitl Anytime Goalscorer (+110) at BetOnline
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.