Oilers vs. Golden Knights odds, expert picks: Can Edmonton tie up ...

We’ve only got one Stanley Cup playoff game on for Saturday night, which is a shame. Sunday will be loaded with three matchups. But considering the reverence for Saturday nights and the sport of hockey, it s understandable that some would be frustrated at the lack of activity on a Saturday.

If we only get one game, though, Edmonton–Vegas is a pretty sweet marquee matchup.

Now, let’s get to the picks.

During the Stanley Cup playoffs, The Athletic’s writers will make their straight-up picks. You’ll find picks, coverage and the latest odds here. Our in-depth NHL coverage is linked below the picks.

All odds from BetMGM and update live. 

Vegas leads 1-0

7 p.m. on TNT, SN, CBC

Jack Eichel 1, Connor McDavid 0. For now.

Eichel isn’t McDavid, and we don’t see him challenging the latter for top spot among the league’s best anytime soon. But a playoff series win over him would still go a long way for him and the Golden Knights. Eichel even iced Game 1 with an empty-net goal after taking the puck away from McDavid and sending it up ice. Eichel and the Golden Knights have shown they have the offence to keep pace with the Oilers, and have now won five consecutive games dating back to their first-round series win over Winnipeg. Keeping McDavid off the scoresheet and forcing him to make mistakes certainly helps. Leon Draisaitl, on the other hand…

Nowadays, everybody wants to talk like they’ve got something to say. But nothing comes out when they move their lips, just a bunch of gibberish and people who forgot about Drai. A four-goal output in Game 1 just adds to his legacy as a playoff performer. It’s a feat that hasn’t been done since 1987. Draisaitl now has 11 goals this postseason, two goals from Evander Kane’s 13 that led all goalscorers last postseason. We don’t blame you for banking on another great Draisaitl performance in order for the Oilers to tie the series.

(Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)

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