Avalanche vs Oilers Prediction NHL Picks Today 4/11

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NHL Game Preview: Oilers vs Avalanche

The Edmonton Oilers will face off against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday, April 11, 2023. NHL picks experts and NHL picks computer predictions alike are anticipating a thrilling game, as both teams boast impressive records. The Oilers (48-23-9) are currently second in the Pacific Division and have been on fire lately, winning nine out of their last ten games. In their previous game against the San Jose Sharks, superstar Connor McDavid scored two goals in a 6-1 victory for the Oilers. Meanwhile, the Avalanche (48-24-6) are first in the Central Division and have also been performing well lately. They have won eight out of their last ten games, with a four-game winning streak in their pocket. NHL experts picks today and NHL picks with spread are both predicting a close game, as the last meeting between these two teams ended in a 3-2 overtime win for the Avalanche. Top performers to watch for include Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen for the Avalanche, and Leon Draisaitl and Zach Hyman for the Oilers. NHL picks and parlay experts are keeping a close eye on this game, as it has the potential to be a high-scoring affair. Will the Oilers' impressive power-play goals record be enough to secure a win? Or will the Avalanche's home-court advantage give them the edge they need? Only time will tell.

Oilers: Offensive Analysis

The Edmonton Oilers have been on a roll lately, winning nine out of their last ten games and dominating on the power-play with 88 goals in the season so far. However, their upcoming game against the Colorado Avalanche may prove to be a challenge, with the Avalanche leading the Central Division and performing well on their home ice with a 21-13-5 record. One player to watch out for on the Oilers is Leon Draisaitl, who has scored an impressive 51 goals with 73 assists this season. Zach Hyman has also been on fire lately, with six goals and three assists in the past ten games. While the Oilers have been performing well offensively, their defense may be their downfall in this game. The Avalanche have been averaging 3.9 goals and 6.3 assists in their last ten games, with Nathan MacKinnon leading the charge with 37 goals and 67 assists overall. The Oilers will need to focus on improving their penalty kill if they want to come out on top in this game, as the Avalanche have a 22-10-2 record in games where they score one or more power-play goals. In terms of NHL picks and predictions, experts may lean towards the Avalanche for this game, considering their strong performance at home and overall record this season. NHL picks from computer models and EM predictions may also point towards the Avalanche as a favorite. Overall, the Oilers will need to come out strong and remain focused on both offense and defense if they hope to defeat the Avalanche in their upcoming matchup.

Oilers: Defensive Analysis

The Edmonton Oilers have proven to be a strong defensive team this season, with a 9-0-1 record in their last 10 games, averaging only 2.2 goals against per game during that stretch. They will need to continue their strong defensive play against the high-scoring Colorado Avalanche, who are averaging 3.9 goals per game in their last 10 games. The Oilers are led on defense by Darnell Nurse, who has been a force on the blue line all season. He leads the team with an average ice time of 24:56 and has contributed offensively with 16 goals and 20 assists. Tyson Barrie has also been an important part of the Oilers' defensive success, with 8 goals and 43 assists on the season. The Oilers will need to shut down Colorado's top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog, who have been dominant all season. However, Landeskog is currently out with a knee injury. The Oilers will also need to limit Colorado's power play, which has been lethal this season with a 22-10-2 record in games they score one or more power-play goals. Overall, the Oilers have the defensive depth and skill to match up with the high-scoring Avalanche. It will be a test for their penalty kill and goaltending, but if they can continue their strong defensive play, they have a good chance at coming out on top in this highly anticipated matchup.

Avalanche: Offensive Analysis

When it comes to offensive firepower, the Avalanche are one of the most dangerous teams in the league. Led by the dynamic duo of Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, Colorado has been a scoring machine all season long. With 264 goals scored, the Avalanche rank second in the league in goals per game, behind only the Edmonton Oilers. Speaking of the Oilers, they happen to be the Avalanche's next opponent, and they will have their hands full trying to contain this high-octane offense. The Avalanche have been on a roll lately, winning eight of their last ten games and averaging 3.9 goals per game over that span. Meanwhile, the Oilers have also been on fire, going 9-0-1 in their last ten games and averaging 4.4 goals per game. But even with the Oilers' recent success, it's hard to ignore the Avalanche's offensive prowess. MacKinnon has been a force all season, racking up 37 goals and 67 assists, while Rantanen has been on fire lately with seven goals and ten assists in his last ten games. And let's not forget about Gabriel Landeskog, who may be out with a knee injury but has still managed to score 23 goals this season. The Avalanche's power play has also been lethal, scoring 22.5% of the time, good for sixth in the league. They have a 22-10-2 record in games in which they score one or more power-play goals, and with the Oilers leading the league with 88 power-play goals, special teams could play a big role in this game. In terms of NHL picks, experts and computer predictions are likely split on which team will come out on top. But with the way the Avalanche's offense has been clicking lately, it's hard to bet against them. Look for them to come out firing on all cylinders and put up some big numbers against the Oilers.

Avalanche: Defensive Analysis

The upcoming game between the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche promises to be a high-scoring affair, given the offensive firepower of both teams. However, the Avalanche defense will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the game. The Avalanche defense has been solid this season, allowing just 2.4 goals per game, which ranks 4th in the league. They have also been effective in limiting opponents' chances, with a Corsi For percentage of 53.6, which ranks 4th in the league. The Avalanche defense is led by the dynamic duo of Cale Makar and Devon Toews, who have combined for 24 goals and 75 points this season. Makar is a Norris Trophy candidate and has been exceptional on both ends of the ice. Toews, meanwhile, has been a revelation since being acquired from the New York Islanders and has provided a significant boost to the Avalanche defensive corps. The Avalanche defense will also rely on goaltender Philipp Grubauer, who has been outstanding this season. Grubauer has a 32-14-4 record with a 2.02 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage. He ranks 2nd in the league in shutouts with 7 and has been a key reason why the Avalanche have been so successful this season. In terms of special teams, the Avalanche penalty kill has been excellent, with a success rate of 85.8%, which ranks 3rd in the league. However, they will need to be disciplined, as the Oilers have the league's top-ranked power play, scoring on 29.4% of their opportunities. Overall, the Avalanche defense will need to be at their best to contain the Oilers' potent offense. They have the talent and depth to do so, and if they can limit the Oilers' chances and get solid goaltending from Grubauer, they should be able to emerge with a victory.

Injury Report

As the Edmonton Oilers visit the Colorado Avalanche for their upcoming game, both teams have a number of players on their injury reports. For the Avalanche, Artturi Lehkonen is out due to a finger injury, Josh Manson is out with a lower body injury, and Pavel Francouz is out due to a lower body injury. Gabriel Landeskog is also out with a knee injury, while Cale Makar is currently listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Bowen Byram is also listed as day-to-day due to an illness. On the other hand, the Oilers have several players on their injury report, including Ryan Murray who is out due to a back injury, Oscar Klefbom who is out with a shoulder injury and Mike Smith who is out with an undisclosed injury. Ryan McLeod is also out for the season due to an undisclosed injury. While injuries are never a welcome sight for any team, both the Oilers and the Avalanche have managed to perform well despite the setbacks. As the game approaches, it will be interesting to see how these injuries impact the final outcome. 

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