Blackhawks Take 2-1 Lead on Oilers, Now Have -225 Odds to Win Series

• The Chicago Blackhawks have a 2-1 series stranglehold on the Edmonton Oilers
• Edmonton blew a late lead in game 3, and the series favorite is facing elimination
• See the updated series odds after Game 3 and our pick to the win the series ahead of Game 4

The Edmonton Oilers were clinging to a one-goal edge late in Game 3 and seemed to be in control, before allowing the Blackhawks to score twice in the final six minutes of the game to blow the contest and potentially the series. After heading into Game 3 as -162 favorites to come out on top in the best-of-5 series, Oil Country now finds themselves with their backs against the wall.

Will Edmonton recover from their gaffe in Game 3 and win the final two games of the series to advance in the postseason, making their +180 odds the perfect time to jump on them?

Blackhawks vs Oilers Series Odds

Odds taken August 6th

The Stanley Cup odds understandably suggest that the Edmonton Oilers are no longer as favored to end up with Lord Stanley simply because of the fact that with one more loss in the next two games to the Blackhawks and their season is over. Here’s why you should grab the increase in value on them to win it all before they rattle off two consecutive victories to advance in the postseason, which would drop their odds.

Oilers Boasting Considerable Firepower

Edmonton’s top guns have come out firing in the first three contests, with captain Connor McDavid racking up a whopping five goals (and two helpers), and he’s doing things that not even arguably the greatest player in the history of the game Wayne Gretzky did for the franchise.

Connor McDavid has scored five goals through Edmonton’s first three games this postseason, the second-most by an @EdmontonOilers player in the team’s first three games of a playoff year behind Jari Kurri in 1986-87 (6 in 3 GP). #NHLStats #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/ZtiXHw8KyF

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) August 6, 2020

It’s not just him doing it alone either, with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also posting seven points and Leon Draisaitl contributing six points, along with his two goals in game 3.

They should be able to outscore their deficiencies by going back to the well and running their youngsters into the ground with their fresh legs compared to their veteran-laden counterparts. Their ability to roll out a one-two punch on separate lines of McDavid and Draisaitl is such a weapon that they can impose their will on Chicago.

Edmonton’s Special Teams Have Been Better

After giving up three power-play goals in Game 1, the Oilers have shored up that area of their game, going 9-10 on the PK in the last two contests which is a potential harbinger of good signs to come.

Their power play has operated at a 41.7% clip in the series, compared to Chicago’s 25% efficiency. In the regular season, the Oilers were first on the PP with Chicago a woeful 28th.

You can always count on Connor McDavid to get it done 😤

The @EdmontonOilers take the lead heading into the break. pic.twitter.com/DJakImfRcN

— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) August 6, 2020

Chicago was the last team to squeak into the altered postseason structure, where they were well on their way to a third consecutive missed postseason, a full 11 points behind Edmonton. Point being, there are still plenty of factors pointing to the Blackhawks’ demise.

Go All-In On the Oilers Before Game 4

Despite the fact they’re facing elimination, this Oilers club is younger and faster and has a lot to prove in the postseason compared to this Blackhawks squad that has seen their heyday pass them by. They were the vastly superior club during the regular season and were in control for the vast majority of Game 3.

Count on them to shake off the shocking defeat and right the ship. I’m confident and you should be too, seeing this is a great opportunity to recoup some value by wagering on them to win the series now.

Pick: Edmonton Oilers (+180)