Trent Reinsmith
- What: Game 2 NHL Western Conference Round 2 Playoffs
- Who: Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights
- Date: Saturday, May 7, 2023
- Location: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV
- Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
- How to Watch: TNT, CBC, SN, TVAS
The 2023 NHL Western Conference playoff series between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights began on Wednesday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While the Oilers were able to jump to a 1-0 lead thanks to a Leon Draisaitl goal, with assists from Connor McDavid and Evan Bouchard, Edmonton was only able to hold that lead for 40 seconds. Ivan Barbashev scored the tying goal for the Golden Knights at the 4:36 mark of the first period. From that point, the game was either tied, which happened for 61 seconds in the third period, or Vegas was in the lead. The final score was 6-4 in favor of the Golden Knights.
Edmonton and Vegas are off until Saturday night when they face off in Game 2 of their NHL playoff series in Las Vegas.
Before we look at the betting breakdown for Saturday’s NHL playoff matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and the Vegas Golden Knights, check out our guide to betting on the 2023 Stanley Cup and our tips for betting on the NHL.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights betting picks for Game 2
| To Win Game 2 NHL Western Conference Playoffs |  |  |  |  |
| Edmonton Oilers | -116 | -125 | -125 | -125 |
| Vegas Golden Knights | +105 | +105 | +105 | +105 |
Edmonton Oilers betting breakdown
The power play has been the difference-maker for the Edmonton Oilers during the 2023 NHL playoffs. The team had the top power play in the league, and continued to click at an excellent rate in Game 1 of their series against the Vegas Golden Knights, scoring two power play goals in the loss. As for the team’s penalty kill, that did not do the team any favors in Game 1, as they surrendered two power play goals of their own.
Leon Draisaitl had an excellent game for the Oilers in Game 1 of the Golden Knights series. Draisaitl, who leads the NHL playoffs in goals (11) and points (15), was the only player on the Oilers to score a goal, racking up all four of the Oilers’ goals in Game 1. If the Oilers hope to beat Vegas, the team will need players like Connor McDavid and Evander Kane to start putting the puck in the net. While Draisaitl has 11 goals, no other Oilers player has more than three goals in the 2023 NHL playoffs.
Stuart Skinner could have had a better Game 1 for the Oilers in net. He gave up five goals on 33 shots. Skinner has surrendered at least three goals in all but one of his seven playoff outings in 2023. He is likely to get the start in Game 2, but if he struggles, expect the Oilers to shake things up and throw Jack Campbell in net.
Vegas Golden Knights betting breakdown
The Vegas Golden Knights have two tasks on the defensive side of the ice during their Round 2 series against the Edmonton Oilers. The first is to limit the scoring of Leon Draisaitl. The second is to prevent Connor McDavid from scoring. The team could have done a better job on that first one in Game 1, as Draisaitl scored four goals on five shots. However, Vegas didn’t allow McDavid or any other Oilers players put the puck in the net, and that was enough for them to pick up the Game 1 victory, 6-4.
Mark Stone leads the Golden Knights in playoff scoring with 10 points, while Chandler Stephenson is the team leader in goals with five. In Game 1, Ivan Barbashev picked up two goals for the Golden Knights, he had one playoff goal in the first round of the 2023 NHL postseason.
The Golden Knights had three power play goals during their first round series against the Winnipeg Jets, and the club picked up two power play markers in Game 1 of the Oilers’ series. Vegas needs to be more productive in this series on the power play than they were against Winnipeg if they hope to move onto the Western Conference Finals.
Laurent Brossoit has been in net for all of the Golden Knights’ playoff games this year. He has a 2.67 goals against average and a .906 save percentage for the postseason.
Golden Knights vs. Oilers Playoff Series Schedule
Game 2: Saturday, May 6, 4 p.m. PT at T-Mobile Arena (TNT)
Game 3: Monday, May 8, 5:30 p.m. PT at Rogers Place (ESPN)
Game 4: Wednesday, May 10, 7 p.m. PT at Rogers Place (ESPN)
*Game 5: Friday, May 12, (Time TBD) at T-Mobile Arena (TNT)
*Game 6: Sunday, May 14, (Time TBD) at Rogers Place (Broadcast TBD)
*Game 7: Tuesday, May 16, (Time TBD) at T-Mobile Arena (TNT)
* If necessary
Best bets for Game 2 Edmonton Oilers vs. Vegas Golden Knights
If the first game of this series is an indicator, the 2023 NHL playoff matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Vegas Golden Knights will be a high-scoring affair. The best bet for Game 2 is for the Oilers to play a better game on the defensive side of the ice, while still scoring at the rate they have done so far in the playoffs. With that, pick the Oilers to beat the Golden Knights in Game 2.
Pick: Edmonton Oilers to beat Vegas Golden Knights in Game 2 of the Western Conference Playoffs.
See below the top sportsbooks where you can wager online and choose the best one for you:
