2023 Edmonton Oilers Predictions with Futures Odds and Expert NHL Picks
Summary of last season
The Edmonton Oilers are the most electric team in the league. Despite falling in six games to Vegas in the second round of the playoffs, Edmonton had an incredible season and forecasts to do more of the same again this season. They led the league with 325 goals, 20 more than the second place Bruins, and posted a +65-point differential, which was the second-best mark in the Western Conference behind only the Stars. Their 32.4% PP% was the best in the league, by far, while their PK% of 77% was mediocre. They dominated Western Conference foes as they posted a solid 33-12-5 record against them.
Though record wise they were not a Boston team and didn’t even win their division, their success is a wonder. They finished with three players reaching triple digit marks in points. Connor McDavid led the league with 153 points (64 G and 89 A), with teammates Leon Draisaitl (128 points) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (104 points) also cracking the top 10 in the NHL. LW Zach Hyman also had a great season as he notched 36 goals and finished fourth on the team with 83 points. G Stuart Skinner did a good job last season as well, going 29-14-5 in 50 games allowing just 2.75 GA/G and a solid .914 SV%.
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Seasons come and go, so now it’s time to take a look at what we can expect from the Edmonton Oilers in 2023-24:
Key Additions/Losses
The Oilers sent F’s Kailer Yamamoto (25 points) and Klim Kostin (21 points) to Detroit for future considerations while losing C’s Nick Bjugstad (signed with ARI) and Devin Shore (signed with SEA) to free agency.
Outside of the minor losses, Edmonton brought in F Lane Pederson from Columbus and veteran F Connor Brown. Brown is coming off a season-ending ACL tear but seems to be in good spirits and ready to contribute to the best offense in the world.
X-Factors
McDavid/Draisaitl- its not every year one team posts two players in the top three for the leagues MVP predictions. These two form the best duo in the history of the sport and are back once again this season. McJesus is by far and away the best player in the world, and Draisaitl is more than fine being his electric wingman. These two are lethal.
Blueline Depth- Midseason acquisition Mattias Ekholm, Darnell Nurse, Cody Ceci, and Evan Bouchard give this team incredible depth making this team all the better. It is worth noting that the Oilers were incredibly successful when Ekholm was on the ice as he led the way with a +28 +/- rating.
Goalie Outlook
Skinner and Jack Campbell are both back and project to carry an approximate 50/30 split on the season. Skinner’s success was far better than Campbell’s. Campbell allowed 3.41 GA/G in 36 games a season ago with a gross .888 SV%. Maybe they will decide to run Skinner out there for closer to 60 games, but pressure is off for these two when you have the best offense in front of you ready to bail you out on an off night.
Grade: B-
Key Schedule Stretch
November 26th- December 16th- This stretch includes nine games, with eight of them on home ice. The lone road game is a quick trip to face the lowly Jets. The home games feature some tough playoff caliber opponents such as Vegas, Carolina, New Jersey, Tampa Bay, and Florida. They also will square off against Anaheim, Chicago and Minnesota. We will be able to learn a lot about this team’s chemistry and success with a few tough opponents. These games will be must-watch tv.
Notable Odds
*DraftKings Sportsbook
Stanley Cup Champions - +1000
Conference Winner - +500
Division Winner - +165
Hart Trophy- Connor McDavid- -105 / Leon Draisaitl- +1000
Prediction
Edmonton is one of the best teams in this league and may usurp Vegas as the best team in the Western Conference. No one can compare to the level of offensive potential this team carries. Their goaltending is the clear weak spot of this team, and it has a B- rating. I love Edmonton this year to win the Western Conference (in the regular season) and perhaps fight Toronto and Carolina for the Presidents Trophy.
Over 106.5 Team Total Points
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