Oilers vs. Canucks Game 2 odds, preview, pick: Can Vancouver go up 2-0?

Oilers vs. Canucks Odds

Friday, May 10, 10 p.m. ET, TNT & truTV

Odds via bet365. Get up-to-the-minute NHL odds here.

Edmonton Oilers

While the Oilers possess the advantage in terms of offensive personnel, there are multiple reasons why we should be concerned about this group moving forward. Playing on the road in Vancouver during the playoffs is a tough environment.

Dating back to the regular season, Edmonton has lost nine of its past 14 road games. While that is looking backwards, I want to look forward to three primary reasons to worry if you are an Oilers fan.

First, superstar forward Leon Draisaitl was clearly banged up in Game 1, and he was never the same player on the ice after returning in the third period.

Second, Edmonton's blue line is untrustworthy. At 5-on-5, the Oilers rank last among the eight remaining playoff teams this postseason in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).

Third, goaltender Stuart Skinner has struggled behind this defense. He allowed five goals on just 24 shots for a troubling .792 SV% in Game 1, and that final goal surrendered to Conor Garland was truly inexcusable. Skinner is now 0-4 over his past five starts against the Canucks with a fade-worthy .822 SV% and 4.73 GAA.

Vancouver Canucks

I mentioned above that playing in Vancouver is tough for visiting teams. The Canucks have now won eight of their past 13 home games dating back to the regular season.

Not only do they possess home ice advantage, but they also possess the clear advantage at the blue line. This postseason, Vancouver ranks second among the remaining eight playoff teams in xGA/60.

It has gotten excellent play out of Nikita Zadorov and Quinn Hughes, but the buck doesn't stop there, as the Canucks are out-producing Edmonton in high-danger scoring chances. At 5-on-5, they rank fourth out of the eight remaining playoff teams in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).

By comparison, the Oilers rank seventh in the same category.

Oilers vs. Canucks

Betting Pick & Prediction

I get the love for Edmonton entering this series. It's tough to bet against the trio of McDavid/Draisaitl/Hyman, and Vancouver is just simply a team that not many people outside of its fans or hardcore NHL fans watch.

However, I hope the majority of viewers are now starting to see that these two teams are so much closer in talent than the pre-series odds indicated. Yes, the Canucks needed a monster comeback to win Game 1, but they essentially held Edmonton to just a handful of shots over the final half of the game.

Furthermore, I am concerned with Draisaitl's ability to contribute moving forward, given how bad he looked since returning to the ice in that outing. Finally, at 5-on-5, Vancouver has been the stronger team this postseason in xGF/60, xGA/60 and expected goal differential per 60 minutes.

Pick: Canucks ML (+105 at DraftKings | Play to +100)