The Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers, rivals from the Pacific Division, are set to begin their 2025 Stanley Cup conference semifinal series with Game 1 on Tuesday. The Golden Knights, having split their regular-season meetings with the Oilers, are coming off a tough six-game series win against the Minnesota Wild. Edmonton, led by Connor McDavid, also required six games in their opening round, overcoming a two-game deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Kings. The puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
According to the latest odds, Las Vegas is favored on the money line at -136, while Edmonton is the underdog at +115. The total goals over/under is set at six. Vegas is also listed at -1.5 (+184) on the puck line. Insights from SportsLine`s established model are available for making picks on the Oilers vs. Golden Knights game.
SportsLine`s Projection Model runs 10,000 simulations for each NHL game. Heading into the 2025 NHL playoffs` conference semifinals, the model holds a strong record of 78-55 on top-rated puck-line and over/under bets, yielding significant returns for bettors. Its performance suggests potential profitability for those who followed its picks.
Now, here are some best bets from the model for the Golden Knights vs. Oilers game:
Oilers +1.5 Puck Line (-225)
Edmonton has a recent track record of success against Vegas, winning and covering the puck line in their last two meetings, including a 3-2 victory at T-Mobile Arena in April. Considering Vegas`s recent trend of winning close games (their last three wins were by one goal), the Oilers are well-positioned to keep Game 1 tight. The SportsLine model forecasts the Oilers covering the puck line in nearly 70% of simulations.
Leon Draisaitl 2+ Points (+125)
The Oilers` German forward, Leon Draisaitl, has been a key offensive force, accumulating 10 points (three goals, seven assists) so far in the postseason and contributing to Edmonton hitting the Over in most of their first-round games. Against the Knights in the regular season, Draisaitl recorded four points (two goals, two assists) over four contests, facing Vegas goalie Adin Hill in each instance. Hill also allowed two or more goals in every game of the first round against Minnesota.
