Oilers vs Golden Knights Game 3 Prediction NHL Playoffs 5/8
- Lm Tipster
- May 8, 2023, 11:39:29 PM
© Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Preview
When it comes to the NHL playoffs, every game is crucial, and the series between the Oilers and Golden Knights has been a thrilling one. The Oilers won the first game, but the Golden Knights bounced back and won the second. Game three will be held on May 8th, 2023, and it is expected to be another intense matchup. In this article, we will review each team's offense, defense, and injuries, and give our prediction as to why the best bet is the over of 6.5 goals.
Offense
The Edmonton Oilers are one of the best offensive teams in the NHL, with an average of 3.96 goals per game during the regular season. They are led by Connor McDavid, who has been one of the best players in the league this year. McDavid scored 64 goals and made 89 assists in the regular season, and he has continued his strong form in the playoffs, with 21 points in eight games. Alongside McDavid, the Oilers have a potent offense that includes Leon Draisaitl, who scored 48 goals and made 70 assists in the regular season, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who scored 31 goals and made 45 assists.
The Vegas Golden Knights also have a strong offense, with an average of 3.26 goals per game during the regular season. They are led by Jonathan Marchessault, who scored 28 goals and made 27 assists during the regular season. The Golden Knights also have several other players who can score, including Max Pacioretty, who scored 24 goals and made 32 assists, and William Karlsson, who scored 23 goals and made 46 assists.
Defense
Both the Oilers and Golden Knights have solid defenses, but the Oilers have the slight edge. They allowed an average of 3.12 goals per game during the regular season, which was better than the Golden Knights' average of 2.74 goals per game. The Oilers' defense is led by Darnell Nurse, who is one of the best defensemen in the NHL. Nurse scored 17 goals and made 36 assists during the regular season, and he has continued his strong form in the playoffs with eight points in eight games. The Oilers' defense also includes Tyson Barrie, who scored 16 goals and made 47 assists during the regular season, and Adam Larsson, who is a physical defenseman that can shut down opposing players.
The Golden Knights' defense is also solid, and they allowed the third-fewest goals in the NHL during the regular season. They are led by Alex Pietrangelo, who is one of the best two-way defensemen in the league. Pietrangelo scored 13 goals and made 44 assists during the regular season, and he has continued his strong form in the playoffs with seven points in eight games. The Golden Knights' defense also includes Shea Theodore, who scored 12 goals and made 41 assists during the regular season, and Alec Martinez, who is a veteran defenseman that can contribute at both ends of the ice.
Injuries
Both teams have some injury concerns heading into game three. The Golden Knights will be without Logan Thompson, who is out with an injury. The Oilers will be missing Mattias Janmark, who is day-to-day with an injury. While both players are important for their respective teams, the impact of their absence might not be significant enough to sway the outcome of the game. However, it is still worth keeping an eye on the status of key players as the series progresses.
Prediction
While both teams have strong defensive records, their offensive abilities are simply too good to ignore. With two of the most elite scorers in the league in Eichel and McDavid, as well as other talented offensive players on both teams, it's hard to see this game being a low-scoring affair. Both teams will likely be pushing hard to take the lead in the series, and we expect to see a high-scoring game. The over of 6.5 goals have cashed in all of the head to head games between these two this season.
Pick: Over 6.5 goals
