
Oilers vs Golden Knights Prediction Game 4 NHL 5/10
- Kingpin
- May 10, 2023, 6:45:23 AM
© Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
Game Preview: Golden Knights vs Oilers (May 10, 2023) Pregame
The NHL Playoffs are in full swing, and the second round match-up between the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers is heating up. The Golden Knights currently hold a 2-1 lead in the series and are looking to extend their lead in Game 4. As experts and fans alike make their NHL picks and predictions for the game, it's anyone's guess as to who will come out on top. No matter the approach, one thing is certain: the Golden Knights vs. Oilers game is sure to be a nail-biter. The Oilers have a 50-23-9 record overall and excel in Pacific Division play with a 24-8-3 record. They lead the league with 90 power-play goals and boast superstar players such as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights have a 51-22-9 record overall and a 16-10-3 record against the Pacific Division. They have their own impressive top performers, including Reilly Smith and Chandler Stephenson. As fans and analysts make their nhl picks with spread or try for the best nhl bets today, it remains to be seen which team will come out victorious in the Golden Knights vs. Oilers showdown. However, one thing is for certain: this is a must-watch game for any NHL fan.
The Golden Knights offense has been firing on all cylinders during their recent stretch of games, averaging 3.8 goals per game in their last 10 outings. Reilly Smith has been a top performer for Vegas, leading the team with 26 goals and 30 assists. Chandler Stephenson has also been a key contributor, posting seven goals and five assists in the last 10 games. The Oilers will have their hands full trying to contain the Golden Knights' potent offense. With a 2-1 series lead, Vegas will be looking to build on their previous success against Edmonton. Jonathan Marchessault led the Golden Knights in their last meeting with two goals, but with such a deep roster, any player can step up and make an impact. NHL picks experts and computer simulations may favor the Golden Knights' offense in this matchup, especially considering their recent success. NHL picks and parlay predictions may also include Vegas as a top choice due to their offensive firepower. However, the Oilers' strong record in Pacific Division play and league-leading power play could also make them a formidable opponent. Overall, the Golden Knights' offense will be a major factor in their success in this game and throughout the playoffs. With top performers like Smith and Stephenson leading the charge, Vegas has the potential to overwhelm the Oilers and secure another victory.
Golden Knights: Defensive Analysis
As the Golden Knights visit the Oilers with a 2-1 lead in the NHL Playoffs second round, their defense will play a crucial role in ensuring their victory. Vegas has a solid defense, and they have been playing exceptionally well in the postseason. In the last ten games, the Golden Knights have only given up 2.5 goals per game, which is an impressive record. Their defensemen have been getting in the way of shots and blocking them, which has prevented the opposition from getting goals and has helped the team win. While the Oilers have the league's best power-play with 90 goals, the Golden Knights have a great penalty-killing record with almost 85% success. Their defensemen have been able to read the opposition's power-play and adapt quickly to shut it down. Moreover, the Golden Knights have top performers on the defensive end, such as Shea Theodore and Alex Pietrangelo. Both defensemen have been playing exceptional hockey, with Pietrangelo scoring twice in the series against the Oilers. Injury-wise, the Golden Knights have Robin Lehner out for the season, but they have a reliable backup in Marc-Andre Fleury. Additionally, the team has Laurent Brossoit day-to-day due to a lower-body injury, but it shouldn't impact the team much as Fleury is a more than capable replacement. Overall, the Golden Knights have a solid defense that has been performing well in the postseason. With their defensemen blocking shots, shutting down power-plays, and scoring goals, they have been a vital part of the team's success. The experts and computer predictions also favor them to win the game, making them a safe bet for today's NHL picks.
Oilers: Offense Analysis
The Edmonton Oilers have a formidable offense, spearheaded by the league's top scorer Connor McDavid and his partner-in-crime Leon Draisaitl. With 90 power-play goals to their name, the Oilers boast the best power-play conversion rate in the league, and they will look to capitalize on that against the Golden Knights. McDavid's 64 goals and 89 assists make him a constant threat on the ice, and Draisaitl has been in scintillating form with 14 goals and six assists in the last ten games. Defenseman Tyson Barrie has also chipped in with 15 goals and 52 assists on the season. The Golden Knights will have their work cut out for them as they face an Oilers offense firing on all cylinders. Vegas has a solid defense, but it will be put to the test against the likes of McDavid and Draisaitl. While the Golden Knights have a strong offense of their own, led by Reilly Smith and Chandler Stephenson, they will have to be at their absolute best to counter the Oilers' firepower. The Oilers have been averaging four goals per game in their last ten and have only been held to less than three goals three times in their last 20 games. The NHL picks and predictions from experts and computer models may favor the Golden Knights, but the Oilers offense cannot be discounted. The best NHL bets today might not necessarily be on the favorite, as the Oilers could easily turn the series around with their potent attack. If the Oilers offense continues to fire on all cylinders, they could pull off an upset and even the series against the Golden Knights. The NHL picks and parlays might be split on this one, but one thing is for sure - we can expect a high-scoring affair with both teams looking to assert their dominance on the ice.
Oilers: Defensive Analysis
As the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Vegas Golden Knights for Game 4 of the second round of the NHL Playoffs, defensive strategy will be crucial. The Golden Knights have a 2-1 series lead and have been dominant on the offensive end, outscoring the Oilers 12-5 in the last two games. Despite the odds being against them, the Oilers have one of the best defensive players in the league in defenseman Darnell Nurse. Nurse has been a force on the ice with his physicality, blocking shots, and leading his team with a +24 plus/minus rating in the regular season. The Oilers will also rely heavily on their goaltender, Mikko Koskinen, to keep them in the game. Koskinen has a .926 save percentage in the playoffs so far and will need to continue his solid performance to give the Oilers a chance to even up the series. In terms of special teams, the Oilers have a league-leading 90 power-play goals in the regular season. They will need to capitalize on their opportunities with the man advantage to put pressure on the Golden Knights. All in all, the Oilers defense will need to step up to slow down the Golden Knights' offensive powerhouse. If the Oilers can tighten up their defense, they have a chance to even up the series and move on to the conference finals.
Injury Report
Heading into the pivotal Game 4 of the second round of the NHL Playoffs, both the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers have some key players on their respective injury reports to monitor. For the Oilers, defenseman Ryan Murray and Oscar Klefbom remain out with back and shoulder injuries, respectively. Goaltender Mike Smith is also out with an undisclosed issue, leaving Mikko Koskinen as the likely starter. These injuries have certainly impacted the Oilers' defensive depth and goaltending situation. On the other hand, the Golden Knights have already lost Robin Lehner for the rest of the season due to a hip injury. Backup goaltender Laurent Brossoit is day-to-day with a lower body injury, while center Nolan Patrick and goalie Logan Thompson are also out for Game 4 with upper and lower body injuries, respectively. While both teams have depth to step up in case of injuries, these absences can still affect each team's strategies and rotation, making it important to keep a close eye on each team's injury updates leading up to the game. As usual, our NHL picks and experts at EM Predictions will be providing the latest injury updates alongside their predictions for the game. With injuries playing a crucial role in playoff matchups, it's important to have the best NHL bets today and NHL picks with spread in mind when making your predictions and placing your bets.
Player | Team | Position | Injury Status |
---|---|---|---|
Ryan Murray | Oilers | N/A | Out (back) |
Oscar Klefbom | Oilers | N/A | Out (shoulder) |
Mike Smith | Oilers | Goalie | Out (undisclosed) |
Robin Lehner | Golden Knights | Goalie | Out for season (hip) |
Laurent Brossoit | Golden Knights | Goalie | Day to day (lower body) |
Nolan Patrick | Golden Knights | Forward | Out (upper body) |
Logan Thompson | Golden Knights | Goalie | Out (lower body) |
Prediction:
The Golden Knights and Oilers face off in what promises to be a thrilling second-round playoff game. The Golden Knights come into the game with a 2-1 series lead and will look to extend their advantage over the Oilers. While the Oilers have been formidable all season long, the Golden Knights have been playing some of their best hockey lately, with eight wins in their last ten games.
Pick: Golden Knights (+159)