Canucks vs. Oilers Recap: McDavid Sets Up Three in Edmonton Win

The Edmonton Oilers beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 in regulation. Mattias Ekholm opened the scoring at 9:14 of the 1st, and Max Sasson tied it with a tip-in at 19:51 of the period. The game stayed 1-1 through the 2nd. Edmonton took over early in the 3rd: Jason Dickinson scored 49 seconds in, and Leon Draisaitl added a power-play goal at 4:00. Brock Boeser pulled Vancouver within one at 17:25, and Draisaitl sealed it with an empty-netter at 19:15. Edmonton outshot Vancouver 30-22. Devon Levi made 20 saves on 22 shots, and Leevi Merilainen stopped 26 of 29. Four DARIMARKET plays cashed on this game.

What cashed

Evan Bouchard 1+ assists (-225 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Bouchard had at least one assist in 9 of his last 10 games and 15 of 17 this season, including all of his last 5. - What happened: He finished with 0 G, 1 A, 1 SOG in 24:30 (3:42 on the power play). The assist came on Draisaitl's power-play goal at 4:00 of the 3rd, which put Edmonton up 3-1. That cleared the line by 0.5. - Worth watching: His points come from power-play time with McDavid and Draisaitl. When he is logging over 24 minutes with a real share of the power play, this market stays worth a look at the price.

Brock Boeser 1+ points (-120 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Boeser had a point in 8 of his last 10 and 12 of 18 this season, including 4 of his last 5. - What happened: He scored on a tip-in at 17:25 of the 3rd, assisted by Filip Hronek and Elias Pettersson, for 1 G, 0 A, 2 SOG in 20:21. That cleared the line by 0.5. It came late, with Vancouver chasing the game. - Worth watching: At a near-even price, Boeser's point rate gives this market room. He played 20:21 with only 1:23 on the power play, so most of his chances came at even strength.

Connor McDavid 1+ assists (-400 at FanDuel, -340 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: McDavid had cleared 1+ assists in 17 of 17 games this season, averaging 2.0 per game. - What happened: He had 3 assists on 3 SOG in 25:15. He set up Ekholm's opener at 9:14 of the 1st, Draisaitl's power-play goal at 4:00 of the 3rd and Draisaitl's empty-netter at 19:15. That cleared the line by 2.5. - Worth watching: McDavid has had an assist in every game this season. The cost is the price, which was -400 at FanDuel. Shopping between books matters on a play this short.

Canucks over 1.5 team goals (-320 at FanDuel, -310 at DraftKings): CASHED - Our read: Vancouver had scored 2+ in each of its last 10 and 17 of 18 this season. Devon Levi was confirmed in net for Edmonton. - What happened: Vancouver scored twice to clear the line by 0.5. Sasson tied it 1-1 late in the 1st, and Boeser's tip-in at 17:25 of the 3rd was the second goal. Both came at even strength. The Canucks did not score on their 2 power plays. - Worth watching: Vancouver needed a late goal this time. Its season scoring rate is why we like this market, but at -320 most of the value is already in the price.

How the game played out

The 3rd period decided it. Edmonton scored twice in the first 4:00 of the period, and the second was its only power-play goal on 3 chances. Merilainen left for an extra attacker late, and Draisaitl's empty-netter came with 45 seconds left.

Trends to watch

• McDavid (25:15) and Bouchard (24:30) both played big minutes, with more than three minutes each on the power play. Those minutes are where Edmonton's assist props come from.
• Vancouver managed only 22 shots on goal despite 30 hits. Shot volume is the main concern for Canucks overs against this Edmonton team.
• Draisaitl scored twice in the 3rd, once on the power play and once into an empty net, and McDavid assisted on both.

Stats are from the ESPN box score. More at NHL picks, NHL recaps and our guide to player props.