Oilers' Playoff Push: Lineup Shuffles and Betting Insights

Introduction

Alright, Oilers fans, let’s talk. We’re hitting crunch time, and Edmonton is in the thick of it, jockeying for playoff position while giving their lines yet another shuffle. But hey, that’s what makes this time of year so fun, right? A little chaos, a little unpredictability—exactly what you want when making NHL picks and NHL bets.

New-Look Lines: Skinner Joins McDavid and Hyman

Tonight, the Oilers take on Utah, and the lineup has a whole new feel. The biggest eye-catcher? Jeff Skinner on the first line with McDavid and Hyman. Skinner has quietly been one of Edmonton’s most reliable forwards in 2025, so why not give him a shot next to McDavid? It’s a prime opportunity for him, and honestly, McDavid could make a beer league player look like an All-Star, so expect some fireworks there.

Depth in the Middle: Draisaitl, Perry, and Brown

Meanwhile, the second line has Leon Draisaitl centering Corey Perry and Connor Brown. Now, Perry isn’t exactly the fleetest of foot these days, but you can’t ignore his playoff experience and knack for getting under opponents' skin. Draisaitl, by the way, extended his point streak to 18 games and has 27 points (14G, 13A) in that span—so yeah, he’s doing just fine.

Bottom-Six Firepower and Defensive Reinforcements

The bottom six is where things get really interesting. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has moved to the third line, playing with Vasily Podkolzin and Viktor Arvidsson. That’s a lot of offensive upside for a third line, and it gives Edmonton some serious depth at center. Adam Henrique centering the fourth line? That’s just ridiculous. Not many teams can roll out a fourth-line center who was a top-six guy just a season ago.

And let’s not forget the defense—Mattias Ekholm is back! After missing six games, he returns alongside Evan Bouchard, giving Edmonton what could be their best blue-line setup of the season. Jake Walman, who’s been blocking shots like his life depends on it, is on the second pair with Nurse. That’s a duo that could eat minutes all night.

Playoff Positioning: The Race for the Pacific

Now, let’s talk playoff positioning because things are getting real. The Oilers sit second in the Pacific Division, trailing Vegas by just four points and leading the Kings by one. But here’s where it gets spicy—Edmonton still has two games left against L.A. and one against Vegas. So, if they go on one of their classic second-half heaters, they could absolutely steal that top spot. And let’s be honest, avoiding another first-round matchup with the Kings wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.

Betting Insights: Where’s the Value Tonight?

So, what’s the betting angle for tonight? Well, Edmonton has beaten Utah in both matchups this season, and with their new-look lineup, there’s plenty of offensive upside. If you’re looking at NHL betting picks, keep an eye on McDavid, Skinner, and Draisaitl in the anytime goalscorer market. Plus, with both teams showing offensive firepower, the Over might be worth a look.

The Oilers are built to be a playoff juggernaut, but will they hit their peak at the right time? We’ll find out soon. Until then, make sure to check out WP Hockey Predictor’s free prediction calculator at wphockeypredictor.com/calculator for NHL predictions and betting insights before every game! 🚀🏒