Jets vs Oilers 05/21/21 – Odds and NHL Betting Trends

The Edmonton Oilers will be trying to avoid losing three games in a row for just the second time this season when they return to action on Friday night for Game 2 of their first-round playoff series with the Winnipeg Jets as -165 home favorites on the NHL odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com (how the moneyline works).

Edmonton came up short in Wednesday’s series opener, dropping a 4-1 decision and handing Winnipeg a 1-0 series lead heading into Friday night’s matchup at Rogers Place.

The Oilers were stymied by the stellar play of Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, and a lack of offensive contributions from the club’s supporting cast, while falling to defeat in Game 1. Edmonton outshot the Jets by a wide 33-20 margin, including a 16-shot barrage in the second period, but struggled to solve Hellebuyck, who is steadily rounding back into form after struggling badly during his team’s late-season swoon.

Of greater concern for the Oilers are the struggles faced by their biggest offensive stars in the series opener. A near unstoppable force over the final weeks of the regular season, Connor McDavid proved to be a non-factor in Game 1. The Oilers captain racked up an impressive 21 points over the final eight games of the regular season, assuring the team of a strong second-place finish in the North Division standings.

However, McDavid was effectively kept in check by the Jets in Game 1, recording no points and failing to tally a shot on goal until early in the third period. Leon Draisaitl fared no better. The big German was also held pointless in Game 1, and has now failed to find the back of the net in seven of his past nine appearances on home ice.

In addition to spotting Winnipeg the early series lead, Wednesday’s defeat also marked the Oilers’ first loss to the Jets in seven outings. The impact of their Game 1 loss has had an immediate impact at the sportsbooks, where Edmonton lags as a +110 underdog on the NHL playoff series prices after opening the series as heavy -175 chalk.

While the Oilers search for answers, Winnipeg looks to Game 2 as a +145 underdog at online betting sites. Losers in nine of 10 down the stretch, the Jets have now won three straight, and have claimed victory in 10 of their past 14 overall road contests.

Now in possession of home-ice advantage and perched as slender -130 favorites on the NHL playoff series prices, the Jets could get an additional lift from the return of Pierre-Luc Dubois and Nikolaj Ehlers. The skilled forwards missed Game 1 due to injury, and are listed as questionable for Friday. However, Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice has expressed optimism about their availability for Game 2.