The Edmonton Oilers will host the San Jose Sharks in the first game of their best-of-seven series. This will be the nightcap on Wednesday night's 2017 NHL Playoffs action. The Sharks had a firm grasp at the top spot in the Pacific division heading into the closing moments of the regular season, but fell dramatically to the third seed. The Oilers started off the year hot and held on to finish second in the division. Edmonton has won the last three consecutive meetings with San Jose. Puck drop is set for 10:00 PM Eastern time and the game can be seen on the USA Network.
Sharks (3rd Pacific, 46-29-7 overall, 20-18-3 away, 34-48 ATS)
San Jose recovered a bit at the end of the season by winning three of their last four, but it wasn't enough to get them any higher. Their last win came against Calgary, 3-1. After no scoring in the opening period, the Sharks broke the ice with Chris Teirney putting the puck in the net at the 4:38 mark. With less than two minutes remaining, Mikkel Boedker was able to put the team up 2-0, but that lead was cut in half when Calgary scored with six seconds remaining in the period. Ultimately, the Flames finished well short as Daniel O'Reagan put in a Power Play Goal at the 11:25 mark for San Jose.
Centers Logan Couture (52 pts) and Joe Thornton (50 pts) are both questionable for the game.
Couture hasn't played since March 25th after needing dental work from a pick hitting his mouth. Thornton missed the last three games with a knee injury.
OIlers (2nd Pacific, 47-26-9 overall, 25-12-4 home, 44-38 ATS)
Edmonton won their last three games of the season, including a unique home-and-home with Vancouver. The most recent win was a 5-2 decision by the Oilers.
They kicked off the scoring late in the first period with Jordan Eberle knocking in a power play goal. Vancouver attempted to turn things around with an early goal in the second, but Eberle responded with an unassisted goal at the 4:10 mark. They made it 3-1 with another score later in the period. Eberle finished with a hat trick by scoring his third just 31 seconds into the final period.
Leon Draisaitl capped things off for the Oilers with a goal just two minutes into the third to make it 5-1.
Even more good news for Edmonton: they don't have any recent injuries to deal with.
Betting on Sharks and Oilers
Edmonton is a -170 favorite on the moneyline at home with San Jose listed at +130. Goal total is set at 5. The over is 3-1-2 in their last 6 meetings and the Sharks have won 14 of the last 20 meetings in Edmonton.
