Jets vs. Oilers Predictions, Odds, Preview

May 21, 2021
by Jonathan Willis
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com


Winnipeg Jets vs. Edmonton Oilers Game 2 Predictions

Score Prediction Oilers 5 Jets 2

Another postseason disappointment would be devastating for the Edmonton Oilers. They have only made the playoffs three times over the last 15 seasons and they have largely languished during the prime of Connor McDavid’s career.

Edmonton has won just one playoff series since losing the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals. The Oilers were upset by an extremely flawed Chicago Blackhawks team in the qualifying round of last year’s playoffs, and although a loss to the Winnipeg Jets wouldn’t be as bad of a look, it would be another wasted season at the end of the day.

That makes Game 2 on Friday something of a must-win for Edmonton. The Oilers will head to Winnipeg for the next two games in this series, and they don’t want to be staring at an 0-2 hole.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Edmonton Oilers Game 2 Best Bets

  • Edmonton -1.5 +165
  • Over 5.5 -115
  • Connor McDavid Goal +105

The road team has covered the puck line in four of the last five meetings between the Winnipeg Jets and the Edmonton Oilers. (AP)

Winnipeg Jets vs. Edmonton Oilers Game 2 Odds

First Round Series Odds

  • Jets +135
  • Oilers -160
  • Jets (+1.5) -200
  • Oilers (-1.5) +165
  • Over 5.5 -115
  • Under 5.5 -105

Winnipeg Jets vs. Edmonton Oilers Game 2 Betting Analysis

  • Venue: Rogers Place
  • Location: Edmonton, Alberta
  • TV-Time: NBCSN - 9:00 p.m. ET

Winnipeg Jets: 31-23-3 SU, 36-21 ATS, 27-26-4 O/U
Edmonton Oilers: 35-20-2 SU, 29-28 ATS, 24-31-2

The one-two punch of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl was unstoppable this year. While no other player tallied more than 69 points in the regular season, McDavid finished with a ludicrous 105 points and Draisaitl was a distant second with 84 points.

McDavid cruised to the Art Ross Trophy and is considered a lock for the Hart Trophy considering what we have seen out of him this season. His 72 assists were 19 more than Draisaitl and 21 more than the next closest player, and his 33 goals were second in the NHL.

The problem comes when anyone else is on the ice for Edmonton. Although the Oilers had the NHL’s two leading scorers, they finished seventh in goals because everyone else had little success finding the back of the net. The next leading scorer among the forwards was Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and he had just 35 points. Jesse Puljujarvi was fourth in scoring among forwards with a distant 25 points.

Edmonton had the best power play in the league during the regular season. The Oilers converted on 27.6% of their opportunities, and their 48 goals on the man advantage were a league-best too. Draisaitl led the way with 15 goals, while McDavid and Nugent-Hopkins each had nine goals on the power play.

They are hoping that the referees are more active with their whistles in Game 2. Only one penalty was called in Game 1 on Wednesday, so expect more from the referees on Friday night. That could lead to a plethora of goals though as Winnipeg ranked seventh in the NHL in power-play percentage this season.

Winnipeg had three 20-goal scorers this season. Mark Scheifele led the team with 63 points, and he has been great over the last couple weeks. Scheifele has scored a point in six straight games and has notched 10 points in that stretch, including two assists in Winnipeg’s win over Edmonton on Wednesday. His play will be key for the Jets if this game becomes a high-scoring affair.

Kyle Connor led the Jets with 26 goals in the regular season. He was Winnipeg’s finisher on the power play with 10 goals on the man advantage, and he has scored in four straight games and registered multiple points in three straight games. Connor notched a goal and an assist against Edmonton in Game 1.

The other two playmakers on the wing are Nikolaj Ehlers and Blake Wheeler. Wheeler was second on the team with 31 assists, while Ehlers tied Scheifele with 21 goals.

Winnipeg Jets vs. Edmonton Oilers Series History

  • 05/19/2021 - Winnipeg 4 (+1.5) at Edmonton 1 (Under 5.5)
  • 04/28/2021 - Edmonton 3 (-1.5) at Winnipeg 1 (Under 6)
  • 04/26/2021 - Edmonton 6 (-1.5) at Winnipeg 1 (Over 6)

Projected Goalies

Winnipeg: Connor Hellebuyck (24-17, 4 SO, 2.58 GAA, .916 SV%)

Edmonton: Mike Smith (21-6, 3 SO, 2.31 GAA, .923 SV%)

2021 NHL Playoff First Round Betting Resources

Odds per BetMGM - Subject to Change