PREMIUM
Rogers' 10* TOTAL DOMINATION
(NHL) Edmonton vs. Montreal,
Total: 5.50 | -110.00 Under
Result: Win
Total: 5.50 | -110.00 Under
Result: Win
The set-up: The Edmonton Oilers were a sexy pick to win the Western Conference this season but have been among the league's biggest underachievers so far, checking in at 11-15-2 (24 points). The Oilers own the second-worst record in the Western Conference and are a dreadful 5-9-0 on home ice, The Montreal Canadiens aren't as big of a disappointment but after winning the Atlantic Division last season at 47-26-9 (103 points), the team and its fans can't be happy about the team's current 13-13-4 mark (30 points), which leaves them on the postseason bubble (outside looking in, right now!)..
Edmonton: The Oilers will kick off a three-game road trip in Montreal tonight, coming off yet another disappointing performance at home, falling 4-2 to the Flyers on Wednesday. The Oiler are 4-6-0 in their past 10 games and one of the NHL's most disappointing teams this season (eight points out of a wild-card position), were sloppy during a drill at practice Thursday, sparking head coach McLellan's outburst which was picked up by the TSN network. "There is nobody checking us right now," McLellan yelled at his players. "There's not a (bleeping) single soul out there checking and we can't make the first (bleeping) pass or the second one. Are you giving yourselves a chance? Is it (bleeping) important? Are you getting better? Because some team is getting better somewhere this morning somewhere." Forward Nathan Walker and defenseman Jeff Davidson, recent waiver-wire acquisitions, are expected to join the lineup on the road trip to provide "some new energy," Edmonton defenseman Oscar Klefbom said. Davidson, traded by the Oilers to Montreal at last season's trade deadline, is especially eager to face the team that waived him a week ago. "I think that I have something to prove, maybe a little bit, but I'm excited to get into a game first and foremost," Davidson said after Friday's practice.
Montreal: The Canadiens just lost 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night to the Flames, their second loss in a row following a five-game winning streak. Montreal expects Jonathan Drouin to the lineup, after missing the past four games due to injury and illness. Drouin is in his first season with Montreal but has centered the team's top line. He had two goals and two assists during a three-game point streak prior to the injury, which was followed by a bout with the flu that he said caused him to lose six pounds. Drouin went through a full practice Friday and skated on a slightly reconfigured unit with Andrew Shaw joining him and regular linemate Alex Galchenyuk. Goaltender Carey Price will make his eighth consecutive start since returning from injury. Price won his first five starts back but has lost 4-3 and 3-2 (OT) in his last two.
The pick: The Oilers have actually won five of their last six visits to Montreal plus Edmonton also has won three of its past four on the road, including a 7-5 victory Saturday at Calgary. Maybe McLellan's "rant" will spark the team. However, with Edmonton ranking last in the NHL in penalty killing (72.34 percent), the Oilers will have to score to win here. That has me making the Over a 10* play.
Edmonton: The Oilers will kick off a three-game road trip in Montreal tonight, coming off yet another disappointing performance at home, falling 4-2 to the Flyers on Wednesday. The Oiler are 4-6-0 in their past 10 games and one of the NHL's most disappointing teams this season (eight points out of a wild-card position), were sloppy during a drill at practice Thursday, sparking head coach McLellan's outburst which was picked up by the TSN network. "There is nobody checking us right now," McLellan yelled at his players. "There's not a (bleeping) single soul out there checking and we can't make the first (bleeping) pass or the second one. Are you giving yourselves a chance? Is it (bleeping) important? Are you getting better? Because some team is getting better somewhere this morning somewhere." Forward Nathan Walker and defenseman Jeff Davidson, recent waiver-wire acquisitions, are expected to join the lineup on the road trip to provide "some new energy," Edmonton defenseman Oscar Klefbom said. Davidson, traded by the Oilers to Montreal at last season's trade deadline, is especially eager to face the team that waived him a week ago. "I think that I have something to prove, maybe a little bit, but I'm excited to get into a game first and foremost," Davidson said after Friday's practice.
Montreal: The Canadiens just lost 3-2 in overtime on Thursday night to the Flames, their second loss in a row following a five-game winning streak. Montreal expects Jonathan Drouin to the lineup, after missing the past four games due to injury and illness. Drouin is in his first season with Montreal but has centered the team's top line. He had two goals and two assists during a three-game point streak prior to the injury, which was followed by a bout with the flu that he said caused him to lose six pounds. Drouin went through a full practice Friday and skated on a slightly reconfigured unit with Andrew Shaw joining him and regular linemate Alex Galchenyuk. Goaltender Carey Price will make his eighth consecutive start since returning from injury. Price won his first five starts back but has lost 4-3 and 3-2 (OT) in his last two.
The pick: The Oilers have actually won five of their last six visits to Montreal plus Edmonton also has won three of its past four on the road, including a 7-5 victory Saturday at Calgary. Maybe McLellan's "rant" will spark the team. However, with Edmonton ranking last in the NHL in penalty killing (72.34 percent), the Oilers will have to score to win here. That has me making the Over a 10* play.
