Edmonton Oilers vs Colorado Avalanche: Game Preview, Predictions, Odds, Betting Tips & more | April 18th, 2024

The Edmonton Oilers (49-26-6) will be up against the Colorado Avalanche (49-25-7) at the Ball Arena in Denver on Thursday, April 18 at 9:30 p.m. ET, with the game being broadcast on ESPN, SN and SN1.

The Avalanche are looking to bounce back from a 4-3 OT loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on the road on Sunday. On the other hand, the Oilers suffered a 5-2 defeat on the road against the Arizona Coyotes in their last game on Wednesday.

Edmonton Oilers vs Colorado Avalanche: Game preview

The Avalanche score 3.67 goals per game and allow 3.10 goals per game. They have converted 24.5% of their power play opportunities.

Nathan Mackinnon leads the team with 51 goals and 87 assists, totaling 138 points. Mikko Rantanen has contributed 41 goals and 62 assists, while Valeri Nichushkin has scored 26 goals and provided 25 assists. Cale Makar has provided 68 assists.

Between the pipes, Alexander Georgiev has a 38-18-5 record, a goals-against average of 3.02, and a save percentage of .897.

Meanwhile, the Oilers score 3.59 goals per game while allowing 2.85. Their power-play attempts have been successful 26.1% of the time.

Zach Hyman leads the team with 54 goals and 23 assists, adding up to 77 points. Leon Draisaitl has contributed 41 goals and 65 assists, while Connor McDavid has 32 goals and provided 100 assists for a total of 132 points. Adam Henrique has added 23 goals and 25 assists.

In the net, Stuart Skinner has a 36-15-5 record, a goals-against average of 2.57 and a save percentage of .907.

Edmonton Oilers vs Colorado Avalanche: Injury report

Samuel Girard is currently sidelined for the Avalanche due to a head injury. Gabriel Landeskog, Pavel Francouz and Logan O'Connor will miss the rest of the season with knee, groin, and hip injuries, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Oilers' Evander Kane is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.

Edmonton Oilers vs Colorado Avalanche: Head-to-head and significant numbers

The Avalanche and the Oilers have clashed 174 times in total, including both regular-season and playoff games. The Oilers hold an 83-67-8-16 record against the Avalanche.

The Oilers have a higher faceoff win rate of 53.1% compared to the Avalanche's 48.1%. However, the Avalanche has a higher success rate in penalty kills at 80.2%, compared to the Oilers' 79.5%.

Edmonton Oilers vs Colorado Avalanche: Odds and prediction

Colorado has won 44 of 68 games as the odds favorite this season and 30 of its 42 games with odds less than -164. It means they have a 62.1% chance of winning this game.

This season, the Oilers have found themselves in the underdog position seven times, managing to pull off three upsets. Edmonton has not faced odds of +137 or longer at any point this season and currently holds a 42.2% probability of winning the match tonight.

Prediction: Avalanche 6-3 Oilers

Edmonton Oilers vs Colorado Avalanche: Betting tips

Tip 1: Avalanche to win

Tip 2: Total goals over 5: Yes

Tip 3: Mikko Rantanen to score anytime: Yes

Tip 4: Nathan Mackinnon to score first: Yes

Tip 5: Oilers to beat the spread: No