Free NHL Picks Today: Edmonton Oilers vs Vancouver Canucks 10/12/22

The Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers square off at Rogers Place on Wednesday to drop the puck on the new season. The Oilers won all four games between the teams last season, including a 3-2 (OT) victory in their final meeting in April, their fourth straight win against Vancouver. Brett Kulak and Tyson Barrie were on the scoresheet for Edmonton. Mikko Koskinen got the win, saving 39 of 41 shots (.951%).

FACING OFF

Vancouver averaged 3.00 goals per game last season, 18th in the NHL, and they are taking on an Oilers team that allowed 3.06 goals a game (18th). Meanwhile, Edmonton found the net 3.48 times a game on average, seventh in the league, and the Canucks allowed opponents to score 2.82 goals per game (7th). The Canucks scored on 23.48% of their power play opportunities (9th), while Edmonton’s 79.37% penalty kill percentage ranked 17th. The Oilers converted 25.96% of their power play chances, third-most in the NHL. Vancouver’s PK% of 74.89 ranked No. 30.

LAST SEASON’S TOP PERFORMERS:

With 99 points last season, ninth-most in the NHL, J.T. Miller was the top skater for the Canucks. He was among the league leaders with 67 assists (6th) and added 32 goals of his own. Thatcher Demko (33-22-7) is Vancouver’s top returning goaltender. He had a 2.72 GAA and a .915% save percentage. Connor McDavid led the Oilers and the league in scoring a season ago with 123 points. His 79 assists were the second-best total in the league, while his 44 goals ranked seventh. Mike Smith (16-9-2) had the best goals against average for Edmonton at 2.81. He had a save percentage of .915%. Koskinen (27-12-4) played the most games in net for the Oilers last season. He had a 3.10 GAA and a .903% save percentage