Free NHL Picks Today: Edmonton Oilers vs Boston Bruins 2/27/23

The NHL’s top two offenses are set to meet at Rogers Place on Monday, as the Boston Bruins (45-8-5) travel to take on the Edmonton Oilers (32-20-8). Boston is coming off a 3-1 win over the Canucks on Saturday, their sixth win in a row.

The Bruins took advantage of their power play opportunities, scoring once on three shots while holding Vancouver without a power play goal. Hampus Lindholm, Brad Marchand, and Linus Ullmark each scored once for the Bruins. Ullmark had a great performance with 26 saves (.962%) in the win.

Edmonton fell 6-5 to the Blue Jackets on Saturday. Connor McDavid was the leading goal scorer for the Oilers, netting twice. Jack Campbell only had 10 saves on 14 shots (.714%) after starting in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The teams split their two meetings last season, the last of which was a 3-2 victory for the Bruins in December. Taylor Hall led Boston with two points (0G 2A). Leon Draisaitl (2G 0A), Tyson Barrie (0G 2A), and McDavid (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Edmonton. Ullmark got the win, saving 41 of 43 shots (.953%).

FACING OFF

Boston is averaging 3.74 goals per game for the season, second in the NHL, and they are taking on an Oilers team that is allowing 3.28 goals a game (20th).

Meanwhile, Edmonton has found the net a league-best 3.83 times a game on average and will be looking to overpower the Bruins’ stout defense, which is holding opponents to a league-best 2.09 goals per game.

The Oilers’ No. 1-ranked power play offense (32.54%) will face a challenging test against the Bruins, who are the league’s best penalty killing team (86.43%).

Boston, meanwhile, has scored on 23.86% of their power play opportunities (7th), which the visitors will be seeking to build on against Edmonton’s 25th-ranked 75.47% penalty killing rate.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With 79 points this season, fourth-most in the NHL, David Pastrnak is the top skater for the Bruins. He is among the league leaders with 42 goals (2nd) and has added 37 assists. In the net, Ullmark (29-4-1) is Boston’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 1.88 GAA, best in the league, and a .937% save percentage, also best.

McDavid leads the Oilers and the league in scoring with 113 points. He has 48 goals and 65 assists in 60 games, both best in the league. Stuart Skinner (15-11-4) has the best goals against average for Edmonton at 2.89. He has a save percentage of .913%.