Oilers vs Canadiens 05/12/21 – Odds and NHL Betting Trends

The Edmonton Oilers will be focused on preparing for the upcoming NHL playoffs when they close out their season series with the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night as -120 road favourites on the NHL odds at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com.

Edmonton is coming off a 4-3 overtime win in Monday’s series opener, and has now won six straight on the road. However, with both these teams now locked into playoff positions, the opportunity exists for Edmonton to rest its regulars in Wednesday afternoon’s matchup at Bell Centre.

Winners in 11 of their past 15 contests, the Oilers look to their final two regular season games assured of finishing in second place in the North Division standings. The club has been particularly dominant on the road during its late-season surge, limiting opponents to one or fewer goals on five occasions while winning eight of nine away from Rogers Place.

Edmonton has matched its stingy defensive play with consistent offensive production, averaging 4.17 goals per game during its current 6-0-0 run on the road. Connor McDavid has been key to the club’s success during their current road win streak, racking up six goals and 11 assists. However, with little to play for this week, regulars like McDavid and Leon Draisaitl could be tasked with a lighter workload.

That could impact the recent trend towards high scoring when Edmonton plays, which has seen the OVER pay out at betting sites in four of their past five overall contests. Indeed, it has been the UNDER that has been the more reliable wager this season when Edmonton hits the road, going 9-3 in their past 12, and 16-10-1 on the season (how the OVER/UNDER works).

The Canadiens could also be set to rest their regulars when they hit the ice on Wednesday. Montreal rides a four-game losing streak, but guaranteed themselves a playoff berth on the strength of the single point earned in Monday’s overtime loss. And with the Winnipeg Jets tallying a decisive 5-0 win over Vancouver on Tuesday, the Canadiens are now assured of a fourth-place division finish regardless of the result of their final game of the regular season.

The clarity of the playoff picture could not have come at a better time for Montreal. The team has been dealing with injuries that have sidelined key personnel including Carey Price and Shea Weber, and has been forced to endure an arduous schedule since overcoming a COVID-19 outbreak in late March. However, Montreal has been steady when facing the Oilers this season, going 5-2-1 overall, and 2-0-1 in their past three dates at Bell Centre.