Free NHL Picks Today: Edmonton Oilers vs Carolina Hurricanes 10/20/22

The Carolina Hurricanes (3-0-0) will be looking to remain undefeated when they head to face the Edmonton Oilers (1-2-0) at Rogers Place on Thursday. Carolina is coming off a 5-1 win over the Kraken on Monday, their third win in a row. The Hurricanes committed five penalties in the game, conceding one power play goal. Andrei Svechnikov led the Hurricanes with two goals. Frederik Andersen had a great performance with 22 saves (.956%) in the win. Edmonton fell 4-2 to the Sabres on Tuesday. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Darnell Nurse each scored once for the Oilers. Stuart Skinner saved only 20 of 23 shots against (.869%) in the loss.

HEAD TO HEAD

The Hurricanes won both games between the teams last season, including a 2-1 victory in their final meeting in February. Teuvo Teravainen (1G 1A) and Svechnikov (0G 2A) each had two points to lead Carolina. Andersen got the win, saving 29 of 30 shots (.966%).

FACING OFF

Carolina is averaging 3.67 goals per game so far this season, 12th in the NHL, and they are taking on an Oilers team that is allowing 3.67 goals a game (21st). Meanwhile, Edmonton has found the net 3.33 times a game on average, 15th in the league, and the Hurricanes are allowing opponents to score a league-best 1.00 goals per game. Carolina averages more shots a game (37.3) than most teams in the league, ranking fifth. Edmonton’s average of 34.0 attempts ranks 12th.Expect a few power play opportunities for the Hurricanes, as the Oilers have been penalized 6.00 times a game, fourth-most in the NHL, for an average of 12.67 minutes (eighth-highest). The visitors are averaging 4.33 penalties (13th) and 9.67 penalty minutes a game (15th).The Oilers’ 36.36% power play percentage is the fourth-best in the league, while the Hurricanes rank 17th with a conversion rate of 20.00%. When it comes to defending power plays, Carolina has the league’s seventh-ranked PK% at 91.67%, while Edmonton is 15th at 81.25%.

TOP PERFORMERS:

With five points apiece so far this season, Svechnikov (3G 2A) and Martin Necas (2G 3A) are the top skaters for the Hurricanes. In the net, Andersen (2-0-0) is Carolina’s top goaltender by goals against average. He has a 1.00 GAA, best in the league, and a .964% save percentage, fourth-best. Connor McDavid (4G 2A) and Leon Draisaitl (1G 5A) lead the Oilers in scoring on the season with six points apiece. Skinner (0-1-0) has the best goals against average for Edmonton at 1.68. He has a save percentage of .944%.