The Vancouver Canucks and Edmonton Oilers battle for the second time this week.
The pregame narrative: The Oilers lost to the Canucks on Saturday and hope to avoid a three-game skid as they welcome their divisional rivals to Rogers Place on Thursday. I’m backing Quinn Hughes and Leon Draisaitl to produce and am fading Jake DeBrusk.
Check out my Canucks vs. Oilers props for Jan. 23.
Canucks vs. Oilers prop picks
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Best bet: Draisaitl over 2.5 shots (-143)
I’ve been on this bet a few times and it’s been printing me money, so I’m going back to the well.
The two-headed monster in Edmonton has shrunk to one with the suspension of Connor McDavid. Draisaitl has been up to the task.
The German sniper has six points in his last three games, including nine shots on goal over that stretch.
The Oilers have been firing pucks on net this season. They rank second in the NHL with 31.9 shots per game.
Draisaitl ranks in the top 20 among all NHL players with 3.17 shots/game.
Key stat: Draisaitl has cleared this line in eight of his last 10 games.
Quick picks
DeBrusk under 0.5 points (-165): Throughout his career, DeBrusk’s strongest ability has been his goalscoring.
DeBrusk paces the Canucks in goals (17) but has been on a cold stretch lately, with just three in his last 18 games.
The Oilers’ defensive numbers have been impressive this season, making this pick all the more enticing.
- 7th in goals allowed/game: 2.74
- 4th in shots allowed/game: 26.1
Vancouver has the second-lowest shots on goal per game (25.3), ahead of only the Chicago Blackhawks.
According to Natural Stat Trick, the Canucks are second-worst in high-danger chances per 60 (9.6).
Hughes over 0.5 power-play points (+165): Hughes is the backbone of the lacklustre ninth-place Vancouver Canucks.
His team ranks among his Canucks teammates:
- 1st in points (51)
- 1st in assists (39)
- 1st in time in ice (25:21)
- 1st in plus-minus (+11)
Despite Vancouver’s woes, their T13th-ranked power play has been sufficient — and it’s led by the reigning Norris Trophy winner.
Hughes paces all Canucks in power-play points (20) and ice time (3:44/game). He has eight more power-play points than the next Canucks player.
Picks made at 2:10 p.m. ET on 01/23/2025.
