The Pittsburgh Penguins (20-10-4) visit the Edmonton Oilers (19-14-4) Friday at Rogers Place for a 9 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Penguins-Oilers sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Penguins at Oilers: Projected starting goalies
Matt Murray vs. Mike Smith
Murray is 10-5-4 with an .897 save percentage and 2.85 goals against average. He stopped 25 of 28 shots in a win over the Detroit Red Wings his last time out, but hasn’t played since Dec. 7 due to the tremendous run backup Tristan Jarry has been on of late.
Smith has also been off for more than a week. He gave up six goals on 26 shots Dec. 12. He is 7-8-2 with an .896 SV% and 3.08 GAA.
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Penguins at Oilers: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Oilers 5, Penguins 3
Moneyline (ML)
The Penguins (-134) have won three straight, including a 4-1 win at the Calgary Flames Tuesday. The Oilers (+110) fell 2-1 at the St. Louis Blues Wednesday and have dropped five of their last six. The Penguins remain without captain Sidney Crosby.
Take the value with the OILERS (+110). They’re 8-6-3 on home ice and getting plus-money. The Pens are just 6-6-2 on the road and shouldn’t be such heavy favorites against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Co.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Get a little insurance by backing the OILERS (+1.5, -250) to stay within 1 goal in a loss or to win outright, albeit as a much less profitable play than the plus-money on the moneyline. The Oilers are 18-19 ATS for the season but just 4-13 at home, while the Pens are 16-18 ATS overall and 8-6 on the road. Plus, three of the Oilers’ last five losses were by just single tallies.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the OVER 5.5 (-139) with too rusty goaltenders expected to start. The two teams combine to average 6.18 goals for per game with 5.65 goals allowed per game.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 136-106
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