The Western Conference clash at Ball Arena in Denver is one of four-game slate in the NHL on Monday, March 21, and here is the best Oilers vs. Avalanche betting pick and odds.

These Western Conference foes will meet for the first time this season, after which they will play two more times before the playoffs. The Avalanche are -200 favorites, while the total is set at 6.5 goals, according to BetOnline Sportsbook.

Oilers are in the zone

For the third time this season, the Edmonton Oilers are on a five-game winning streak, and will be looking for the sixth consecutive win for the first time in this campaign. Edmonton experienced a fantastic five-game homestand, winning every single game including the most recent one against the New Jersey Devils.

The Devils showed resistance in the opening two periods and kept the Oilers to a 3-3 result, but Edmonton scored three unanswered goals in the final 20 minutes to secure a 6-3 victory. Evander Kane bagged a pair of goals, while Connor McDavid added a goal and a couple of assists.

Mike Smith will start at the goal against the Avs on Monday. The 40-year-old goaltender has a 6-8-1-0 record this season with a 3.39 GAA and a .895 save percentage without shutouts. The Oilers are allowing 3.16 goals per game (21st in the NHL) and are scoring 3.37 on the other end (7th) on a 10.0 shooting percentage (12th).

Avalanche are on a three-game winning run

The Colorado Avalanche won the last three games and kept the net intact in two as only the San Jose Sharks managed to score three goals against them in a 5-3 Colorado’s win. The Avs are back home from a two-game road trip and will stay at the Ball Arena for the next three games.

Colorado created a comfortable 4-1 lead in the first two periods and although the Sharks scored a pair of goals in the final 20 minutes to make the game more interesting, the Avs sealed the deal through Valeri Nichushkin’s empty-netter with 15 seconds to go.

Darcy Kuemper will get his place between the sticks against the Oilers on Monday. The 32-year old goaltender has a 29-8-1-1 record this season with a 2.41 GAA and a .923 save percentage with five shutouts. The Avalanche allow 2.77 goals per game (8th in the NHL) and score 3.84 a night (2nd) on a 11.0 shooting percentage (6th).

Trends:

Edmonton:

  • 2-4 in the last six games on the road
  • 4-9 in the last 13 games as an underdog
  • 2-5 in the last seven games vs. Central Division rivals

Colorado:

  • 12-6 in the last 18 games overall
  • 17-3 in the last 20 games at home

Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche Pick

The Oilers have the best two individuals in the NHL when it comes to the points, but Colorado is the best team in the league right now. The Oilers suffered four defeats in the last six games on the road, while the Avalanche lost just three games (in regulation) in the entire season, so it’s clear why the Avs are the favorites in this one.

Colorado has a high-scoring offense that can outscore any opponent in no time, while Edmonton is not even in the top 20 when it comes to team defense. The visitors will find it hard to cope with the hot Avs, and I think they will suffer a defeat on Monday.

Pick: Take the Colorado Avalanche at -200

The Total

The Oilers scored at least four goals in each of the last five games, and given they have such exciting players as McDavid and Draisaitl, they can always count on decent offensive displays. Colorado, on the other hand, is a high-scoring team that can put two or three goals in a few minutes, so this should be a high-scoring affair.

The total has gone Over in five of Colorado’s last seven games when playing at home against Edmonton. The went Over in four of Edmonton’s previous six games against an opponent in the Western Conference, while the total has gone Over in four of the Oilers’ last five games.

Pick: Go Over 6.5 goals at -110