Oilers Props: Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl Ready to Explode?

Draisaitl had registered at least a point in the first 13 games of the playoffs before being blanked as Dallas evened the series with a 3-1 win on Saturday. McDavid, who scored the overtime winner in Game 1, has 23 points in the postseason – two behind NHL leader Draisaitl.

You won’t get great betting odds on the two superstars, but you might want to throw some money on their linemates if you expect the game to open up.

Dallas has been balanced throughout the postseason, so it is difficult to predict who will step up. But 21-year-old Wyatt Johnston has five points in five games versus Edmonton this season after posting two assists in Game 2.

Nugent-Hopkins +300 to Score? Oilers Power Play Key

While Draisaitl and McDavid could be tough for Dallas to handle in front of the home fans on Monday, their linemates could benefit as well.

Zach Hyman leads the playoffs with 12 goals and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has 17 points – fourth best on the team and sixth overall in the postseason. Hyman is +110 to score a goal, but +450 to post a pair. Nugent-Hopkins is +300 to hit the back of the net just once.

Game 1’s 2OT winner doesn’t happen without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

His ability to get on the forecheck, cause turnovers and be so positionally sound all on full display here.

The Nuge comes up huge.

Great heads up play by Bouchard and finish by McDavid to take advantage. #Oilers pic.twitter.com/XdmC7Ipimi

— Tony Brar 🚀 (@TonyBrarOTV) May 24, 2024

Draisaitl has better value on a multiple-point game (+141) than McDavid (-121), but it will all depend on whether the Oilers can find the keys to unlock Dallas goalie Jake Oettinger (.922 save percentage in playoffs).

The Oilers also hope to use their speed to draw more penalties. Edmonton is 1-for-13 on the power play the last five games – 0-for-3 in the series – but went 14-for-30 in the first nine playoff games.

Betting on Wyatt Johnston’s Goals

Wyatt Johnston couldn’t buy a beer less than two weeks ago, but he has been a major factor in getting the Stars within seven wins of a Stanley Cup.

The 21-year-old forward boasts a team-best seven goals in the playoffs and five of them have come on the road, so he is a good bet to get some chances on Monday. Johnston had 18 goals and 35 of his 65 points away from home during the regular season.

Johnston only registered one shot on goal in the Game 2 win, but he was a constant force along with captain Jamie Benn. The Ontario native is +179 to score a goal on Monday and +264 to match his point output in Game 2.

Wyatt Johnston tonight:

— 2 assists
— 1 penalty drawn
— lead the team in shot attempts
— now 14th in the NHL in points this postseason

He was 20 years old like last week btw. pic.twitter.com/PcdbPRvoCj

— Big Head Hockey (@BigHeadHcky) May 26, 2024

Defensemen Could Also Cash in Bets

Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen leads the team with 14 points and Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard has the most of anyone in the playoffs at the position (21).

You won’t get good value for a one-point game from Bouchard (-201), but it’s not a bad NHL bet to expect multiple points from the two standouts. Heiskanen is +317 to get 2+ and Bouchard +168.

Most points – Defenceman’s first 13 games of a playoff year:
26- Paul Coffey (1985)
22- Bobby Orr (1972)
21- Evan Bouchard (Via assisting on his @EdmontonOilers overtime goal in Thursday night’s 3-2 overtime victory vs the Stars)
20- Brian Leetch (1994)
19- Four other occurrences pic.twitter.com/1tV6rgNN7f

— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) May 24, 2024

You might want to take a shot with a few other defensemen. Edmonton’s Darnell Nurse is more of a defensive defenseman but is +186 to record just one point. Teammate Mattias Ekholm has six points in the playoffs and is +161 to get one on Monday.

Heiskanen has 36 shots in the playoffs and the odds are +129 that he can get at least three on goal. In what could be a more open game, that’s a good NHL bet.

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Odds and information are accurate at the time of writing. Please check with official sources for the latest updates before placing any bets.

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