The month of January was a disaster for the Edmonton Oilers. Most importantly, from a gambling perspective, gamblers were wiped out from betting on the Oilers. During this span, Edmonton fell out of playoff position. However, the Oilers are still very much in the race for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference. So too have the Washington Capitals been slumping. Still, Washington is in Eastern Conference playoff position but is no longer challenging for the lead in the Metropolitan Division. Of consistent worry to gamblers is how one of the NHL’s best power play units has transformed into one of the worst.
The Washington Capitals will host the Edmonton Oilers at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. This game will take place on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at 7 p.m. ET with television coverage on TNT.
NHL Betting at BookMaker.eu
Odds Analysis
The gambling action will be split evenly between these two teams in this matchup. Wise Guys will prefer Edmonton as a capable road team with better odds. Casuals will select Washington as the home team with marquee man superstar Alex Ovechkin. Oddsmakers know that casuals always prefer the power home teams. Especially with a name-brand player.
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton has won four of its most recent five games in recent action. And then three of those five games went under the total. Now the Oilers are 22-16-2 with 20-18 over the total. Edmonton ranks 10th in the NHL for goal scoring, 2nd for power play efficiency, 22nd for goals against, and 22nd for penalty killing.
Edmonton’s biggest concern remains on the defensive end of the ice. The Oilers don’t have a goaltender that can be relied upon in the playoffs. Additionally, the Oilers don’t have quality defensive depth. A good example of that shows that the Oil ranks 24th in the NHL for shots allowed. Thus, a thin defensive corps and substandard goaltending make for never-ending problems.
Edmonton is 2-5 in their last seven away games on the board. The Oilers are 2-5-1 under the total on the road. The Oilers are 2-6 in away games at Eastern Conference opponents. Edmonton is 2-3-1 under the total at Eastern Conference teams.
Washington Capitals
Washington hasn’t paid in three of its last five games in recent action. And four of those five games went under the total. Now the Capitals are 24-12-9 with 22-21 over the total. Washington ranks 12th for goal scoring, 30th for power play efficiency, 11th for goals against, and 14th for penalty killing.
Since the departure of Stanley Cup-winning goaltender Braden Holtby, the Capitals have not had reliable championship goaltending.
But Washington’s biggest problem is its lack of consistent effort on the defensive end of the ice. Barry Trotz convinced them to take care of the back end. Laviolette has had mixed results after the utter flop of Trotz’s successor, Todd Reirden.
Washington has dropped seven of its last ten home games at the sportsbook. The Capitals are 7-4 over the total at home. Washington is 4-6 on home ice against Western Conference teams. The Caps are 10-4-1 over the total when hosting Western Conference opponents.
Edmonton at Washington Prediction
Head-to-head, Edmonton has paid in two of its last three games against Washington. Only one of the previous four between the Oilers and Caps cleared the total. Washington has won four straight home games against Edmonton. This series is 0-3-1 under the total at Washington.
In this situation, the Oilers are in better form than Washington. Edmonton is better than they showed in January. Further, the Oilers boast two of the NHL’s top players in Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid. Most importantly, Edmonton will get the better price as the road team.
BookMaker Pick: Edmonton Oilers
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