Free NHL Picks Today: Colorado Avalanche vs Edmonton Oilers 2/19/23

The Colorado Avalanche (-125) play host to the Edmonton Oilers (+105), who will be hoping to snap their losing streak, at Ball Arena on Sunday. The total is 6.5 (O: -120, U: +100)Edmonton (30-19-7) is coming off a high-scoring 5-4 shootout loss against the Rangers on Friday, their third consecutive defeat.

The Oilers committed four penalties in the game, conceding two power play goals. Four players found the net for the Oilers. Jack Campbell only had 34 saves on 38 shots against (.894%) in the loss.

Colorado (30-19-5) is playing the second of a back-to-back after earning a 4-1 win over the Blues yesterday. Bowen Byram scored twice to lead the Avalanche. Justus Annunen saved 19 of 20 shots in the win (.950%).

HEAD TO HEAD

The Avalanche won the first meeting between the teams this season, a 3-2 (OT) victory in January, their fifth straight win against Edmonton. Cale Makar (1G 1A), Nathan MacKinnon (1G 1A), and Evan Rodrigues (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Colorado.

Zach Hyman (2G 0A) and Leon Draisaitl (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Edmonton. Alexandar Georgiev got the win, saving 28 of 30 shots (.933%).

FACING OFF

Edmonton is averaging 3.73 goals per game for the season, best in the NHL, and they are taking on an Avalanche team that is allowing 2.72 goals a game (8th).

Meanwhile, Colorado has found the net 3.02 times a game on average, 21st in the league, and the Oilers are allowing opponents to score 3.23 goals per game (21st).

The Oilers’ 31.98% power play percentage is the best in the league, while the Avalanche rank ninth with a conversion rate of 24.00%. In terms of penalty killing, Colorado has the league’s 20th-ranked PK% at 77.11%, while Edmonton is 26th at 74.62%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 101 points this season, most in the NHL, Connor McDavid is the top skater for the Oilers. He leads the league in both goals (42) and assists (59). In the net, Stuart Skinner (13-11-4) is Edmonton’s top goaltender by goals against average.

He has a 2.95 GAA and a .913% save percentage. Mikko Rantanen and MacKinnon lead the Avalanche in scoring with 65 and 64 points, respectively. Rantanen has 35 goals (5th) and 30 assists, while MacKinnon has 18 goals and 46 assists (10th) in 43 games.

Pavel Francouz (7-7-1) has the best goals against average for Colorado at 2.53. He has a save percentage of .919%. Georgiev (22-12-4) has played the most games in net for the Avalanche this season. He has a 2.66 GAA and a .918% save percentage.

HOME AND AWAY

Edmonton is 17-8-2 away from home this season. Colorado is 13-9-4 at Ball Arena this season. Meanwhile, the Avalanche are 4-2 without a day off and 3-0 playing with a rest disadvantage. The Oilers are 3-2 with a rest advantage.