Oilers vs Blackhawks Game 4 Picks and Odds – August 7

• The Chicago Blackhawks are underdogs in their bid to win their Stanley Cup qualifier series with Edmonton in Game 4 on Friday night
• The Blackhawks seized a 2-1 series lead with a stunning 4-3 comeback victory on Wednesday, and have won seven of nine against the Oilers
• We’ve got you covered with all the odds and storylines ahead of Friday night’s Game 4 matchup at Rogers Place

The Chicago Blackhawks can knock off the Edmonton Oilers and advance to the Western Conference quarter-final with a win on Friday when they hit the ice for Game 4 of their Stanley Cup qualifying series as +117 underdogs in the NHL playoff odds.

Edmonton Oilers vs Chicago Blackhawks Odds

Odds taken Aug 6. All odds include OT and shootout

Toews Carries Blackhawks to Pivotal Game 3 Win

With their backs against the wall, the Blackhawks mounted an unlikely comeback in Game 3 on Wednesday, scoring twice in the dying minutes to record a 4-3 comeback victory. With the win, Chicago now holds a surprising 2-1 series lead and has emerged as a strong -225 bet to eventually claim victory in this best-of-five series.

Wins draw ✅
Gets to the net ✅
Scores the GWG ✅

All in a shift's work for @JonathanToews.@BMOHarrisBank | #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/itCf6yvcKY

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 6, 2020

With team captain Jonathan Toews leading the attack, the Blackhawks failed to roll over after blowing a pair of early one-goal leads. Trailing by a goal late in third, the rearguard duo of Slater Koekkoek and Olli Maatta continued their steady play, setting up the tying goal by Matthew Highmore. That set the stage for more heroics from Toews, who was in perfect position to deflect a Connor Murphy shot in behind Oilers netminder Mikko Koskinen for the game-winner with just over a minute remaining.

Koekkoek, Maatta Making Timely Contributions

Toews has emerged as a force in this series, scoring a team-leading four goals and adding an assist so far through the first three games. Koekkoek and Maatta have also played key roles in the Blackhawks’ surprising performance, potting a combined three goals and four assists, including Maatta’s second marker of the series that opened the scoring.

Olli Maatta ➡️ Slater Koekkoek ➡️ Matthew Highmore 🏒🥅🚨

Highmore tips Koekkoek’s shot from the point for his first ever playoff goal#Blackhawks #CHIvsEDM #HockeyTwitter #NHL pic.twitter.com/WDFL7UbrYd

— ✶ ✶Tony G✶ ✶ (@Certified_TonyG) August 6, 2020

With their Game 3 victory, the Blackhawks have now earned the win in five of seven meetings with the Oilers since the start of 2019 and averaged over four goals per game during that stretch. And Toews steady performance against Edmonton is nothing new. Captain Serious has now racked up six goals and four assists over his past seven meetings with the Oilers and sports attractive +230 odds of adding another marker in Friday night’s pivotal Game 4 clash at Rogers Place.

Edmonton Oilers vs Chicago Blackhawks Stats

Oilers Remain Favorites Despite Growing Concerns

Despite Wednesday’s third-period meltdown, the Oilers remain favorites to even the series with a win, sporting -136 odds in the Oilers vs Blackhawks odds. However, Edmonton faces a number of concerns as they prepare for their most important game in three years.

Watched #Blackhawks vs #Oilers Game 3 late. My thoughts:

1. Koskinen had a strong game.
2. Someone other than McDavid/Draisaitl needs to step up.
3. Didn’t play with urgency. Hawks did.
4. PP was good again.
5. Athanasiou/Kassian = invisible/non factors
6. Careless 6 PPs for CHI

— Shane Sander 🏒 (@SanderEDM) August 6, 2020

Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl performed as expected in Game 3, with McDavid scoring his fifth goal of the series and Draisaitl potting a pair and setting up McDavid’s power-play marker. However, the secondary scoring that was key to the club’s victory in Game 2 was non-existent.

Fourth liners James Neal and Alex Chiasson played a big role in Edmonton’s 6-3 win in Game 2, but were largely ineffective on Wednesday, combining with linemate Juraj Khaira to record no points, just two shots, and a combined -3 rating.

Larsson, Ennis on the Shelf

Health concerns have also emerged in the Oilers dressing room. Top pairing defenceman Adam Larsson was deemed unfit to play and did not dress for Game 3. There has been no indication that he has tested positive for COVID-19, but the status for both Larsson and Tyler Ennis for Game 4 remains uncertain.

Tyler Ennis Out Indefinitely, Adam Larsson To Be Reassessed Thursday https://t.co/YmZEngrx2q pic.twitter.com/4HKYBM0ql6

— The Oil Rig (@oilrigEDM) August 6, 2020

Ennis was forced to leave Wednesday’s game with a leg injury. The diminutive winger has been solid in the series despite taking plenty of abuse, scoring one goal and assisting on another. In addition to the injury suffered in Game 3, Ennis was also forced to leave the series opener after being leveled by a headshot by Drake Caggiula, who was handed a one-game suspension as a result.

The loss of Larsson is a particularly harsh blow for the Oilers. Partnered with Oscar Klefbom, the duo have been a formidable shutdown unit, but with Larsson sidelined, the duo of Darnell Nurse and rookie Ethan Bear have drawn that assignment, with mixed results.

Oilers Still the Team to Beat

Despite Wednesday’s loss, the Oilers are far from out of this series. Barring any further health problems, the club has all the weapons to respond to the Blackhawks, particularly in net, where Koskinen has been steady since taking over midway through Game 1.

Have no illusions about Game 4 being a low-scoring affair. Despite some solid defensive and goaltending performance, both these teams are at their best when filling the net. And with Draisaitl and McDavid both clicking, the Oilers have to still get the nod as the team to beat.

Picks: Edmonton Oilers (-136); OVER 6.5 (-112)