The upcoming NHL matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes on November 15 promises an exciting clash for fans and sports bettors alike.
Let’s construct a same game parlay at bet365 for this Saturday matinee that consists of two legs and prices out at +300:
- Game total over 6.5 goals
- Oilers moneyline
Nick’s Oilers vs. Hurricanes SGP
Leg 1 – Game total over 6.5 goals (+100 odds as a straight bet)
The Oilers have played a fairly high-event brand of hockey this season and, in particular, have played high-event games of late as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have both elevated their respective offensive games to the level that hockey fans are used to seeing.
Over the last 12 games, the Oilers are 5-4-3 despite allowing 3.83 goals against per game, which is the fifth-highest mark in the league in that span. Stuart Skinner has been fairly shaky in goal, while the team’s defensive core continues to offer some ugly lapses in coverage. And though Edmonton’s blue line is concerning from a defensive perspective, Evan Bouchard and Jake Walman are both excellent at helping to generate offence at the other end of the ice.
The Hurricanes, meanwhile, have played a notably high-event style of hockey recently. Over the last 10 games, Carolina ranks third in the NHL in generating 4.11 xGF/60, but has allowed 3.60 xGA/60 in the same span, which ranks 22nd in the NHL.
It is possible that the Hurricanes will be forced to start third-string goaltender Brandon Bussi in this matchup, as Frederik Andersen is day-to-day with a concussion. If Bussi is to start, that would further increase the chances of a high-scoring affair, as he is unproven at the NHL level and holds an .898 save percentage in five NHL appearances this season.
Leg 2 – Oilers Moneyline (+100 odds as a straight bet)
While my expectation is that both teams contribute to the total in this matchup, I am high on the Oilers’ chances of pulling off a slight upset in this favourable spot on the road, and specifically like the way backing the Oilers to win correlates with the over. The Hurricanes will be playing the second leg of a back-to-back in this matchup and, as noted, could have Bussi in goal.
The Hurricanes have not been as stout defensively recently as we have typically seen, as they have allowed 3.10 goals against per game across their last 10 matchups, despite strong play in goal from Pyotr Kochetkov and Frederik Andersen. As noted, the Hurricanes’ underlying defensive results have not been good recently, which suggests a high-powered Oilers lineup is capable of managing a strong output of high-danger scoring chances in this matchup.
Though there are other causations, it is not surprising that the Hurricanes have been less effective defensively recently, as they have been playing without one of the very best shutdown defenders in the game in Jaccob Slavin. Slavin’s absence could be particularly noteworthy in a matchup versus an Oilers side offering two of the very best offensive skaters in the league.
The Oilers will also be getting a key offensive piece back as Zach Hyman is set to return to the lineup. The Oilers have had a hard time finding suitable wingers to play alongside McDavid and Draisaitl in the top six this season with Hyman and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins both sidelined, and Hyman’s addition could prove to be significant if he is to return in top form based on replacement value.
At +300, I’m happy to take a shot backing the Oilers’ high-powered offence to show up in Saturday’s exciting matchup and carry the team to a much-needed win. For those looking to build a more elaborate SGP, adding in some Oilers-related player props to our original framework would also be something that I could get behind.
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