The 2022 Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals begin Tuesday, May 31, when Colorado hosts Edmonton at Ball Arena in Denver, so we bring you the best Oilers vs. Avalanche betting pick and odds. 

According to Bookmaker Sportsbook, the Avalanche are -175 moneyline favorites for Game 1. The Oilers are listed as +155 road underdogs, while the totals sit at 7.0 goals. These two foes met three times this past regular season, and the Avs won the series 2-1.  

The Oilers shoot for their fifth straight W                          

The Edmonton Oilers are rolling on a four-game winning streak following a 5-4 overtime victory at the Calgary Flames in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Zach Hyman led the way for the Oilers with one goal and a couple of dishes, while Connor McDavid scored the winner to increase his playoff tally to 26 points. 

McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have accounted for seven goals and 19 assists over the previous two rounds apiece. This duo will be the biggest threat to the Avalanche’s defense, but keep your eyes on Evander Kane and Zach Hyman, who have combined for 20 goals so far this postseason. 

Mike Smith will guard the cage in the opening game of the conference finals. The 40-year-old veteran has gone 8-3 in his previous 12 starts, posting a 2.70 GAA, .927 save percentage, and a pair of shutouts. 

The Avs lost two straight games at home                

After sweeping the Nashville Predators in the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup, the Colorado Avalanche needed six games to eliminate the St. Louis Blues in the conference semis. They blew a chance in Game 5 at home, suffering a 5-4 overtime defeat, but the Avs bounced back with a 3-2 victory in Game 6 at St. Louis. 

Defenseman Cale Makar and center Nathan MacKinnon lead the charge for the Avs with 13 points apiece this postseason. Winger Mikko Rantanen added one goal and ten assists, while fellow winger Gabriel Landeskog scored six goals and five dishes in the 2022 NHL playoffs. 

Darcy Kuemper will patrol the crease in the opening clash of the Oilers series, and the 32-year-old netminder has gone 6-2 with a 2.44 GAA and .904 save percentage over his previous nine starts in the 2022 Stanley Cup. 

Trends:

Edmonton: 

  • 2-4 in the last six games against Colorado 

Colorado:

  • 8-2 in the last ten games overall 
  • 10-4 in the last 14 games at home  

Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche Pick 

The Avalanche have dropped their last two home contests, but they are 10-4 in the previous 14 outings at Ball Arena. Colorado is undefeated in three straight home encounters with the Oilers, including a 3-2 overtime victory on March 21, 2022. 

We should see an entertaining clash between a couple of talented teams. Both sides own plenty of offensive weapons, but the Avs arguably look like a better defensive team than the Oilers. Hereof, I’m backing the hosts to take the first blood. 

Pick: Take Colorado Avalanche at -175           

The Total:

The line is set sky-high at seven goals. As I’ve mentioned above, both Edmonton and Colorado are top-notch offensive teams, but surpassing a 7-goal line in the opening game of the series might be too much for the Oilers and Avs. 

Only one of their three regular-season meetings produced more than five goals in the total. The Avs know they have to slow down things, especially when Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are on the ice. I lean toward the under, expecting a good performance from Darcy Kuemper and Colorado’s blue line. 

Pick: Go under 7.0 goals at -135