Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers Game 1 Preview, Picks & Odds for Monday, April 20, 2026

By Kody Malstrom | Apr 19, 2026, 7:15pm

After hovering near the bottom of the Western Conference standings last year, the Anaheim Ducks were able to round back into competitive form this season, securing one of the three automatic qualifying spots in the Pacific. Their resurgence on offense helped spark their turnaround, fielding a group who ranks third in Expected Goals For.

Nearly matching the Ducks front line production is the Edmonton Oilers who are their first round opponent in the playoffs. Even while dealing with injuries, Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman have been able to keep them afloat by relentlessly pressuring the net at a high rate. With both back lines struggling in coverage, expect game one to turn into a high scoring shootout.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers Betting Analysis

Since the start of the regular season, the Ducks have been able to rival the Vegas Golden Knights for the Pacific division title, finishing just three Points back at the end of the year. Their front line has helped turn them into a formidable contender, possessing seven players who average a stunning 0.30 Expected Goals per game.

With the Ducks boasting incredible depth, they are able to pressure the net for the full duration of the contest which helps them avoid falling too far behind on the scoreboard. Especially when locked into a first round series against the Edmonton Oilers, needing to match the output from a front line who averages 3.35 Expected Goals per game.

While the Ducks front line have thrived, their back line has been unable to give them the production they need to be a well rounded contender, sitting near the bottom of the board in Expected Goals Against in All Situations. Their lack of coverage has made it hard for Lukas Dostal to play at a high level, averaging 3.10 Goals Against per game and a .888 Save Percentage.

With Dostal incapable of masking their struggles in coverage, the Ducks are forced to play in highly volatile contests which lowers their chances of winning. Luckily for the Ducks, the Oilers back line have also underwhelmed this year, residing in the bottom half of the board in Expected Goals Against in 5-on-5 Play and From High Danger Shots.

With neither back line capable of slowing down their opponents, the Ducks and Oilers will be able to consistently attack each other’s net, resulting in a high scoring affair. For some more exposure, escalator bet the Ducks and Oilers full game total by placing smaller wagers on their alternate overs at the best available odds across multiple sportsbooks.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers Best Bet, Pick & Prediction

Best Bet: Over 6.5 (-122)
Score Prediction: Oilers 4, Ducks 3

Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers Game Odds

Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers Game Information

Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
Time: 10:10 p.m. ET
Network: ESPN2
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Venue: Rogers Place – 6.9 goals per game; 24-15-2 O/U
Series Score: 0-0
Series Preview

Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers Betting Resources

Anaheim Ducks vs. Edmonton Oilers Key Players

Edmonton Oilers

Connor McDavid – Season Stats: 48 goals, 90 assists, +17
Zach Hyman – Season Stats: 31 goals, 21 assists, +13
Connor Ingram – Season Stats: 16-10-3, 2.60 GAA, .899 SV%

Anaheim Ducks

Cutter Gauthier – Season Stats: 41 goals, 28 assists, -2
Leo Carlsson – Season Stats: 29 goals, 38 assists, +4
Lukas Dostal – Season Stats: 30-20-4, 3.10 GAA, .888 SV%

Photo Credit: AP/Jayne Kamin-Oncea

Kody Malstrom

Kody is a professional sports bettor and sports betting journalist with eight years of experience in the industry. He covers a wide range of sports, including NFL, NCAAF, NBA, NCAAB, NHL, MLB, and UFC. What started as a side gig has turned into a full time job, spending a majority of his time staring at odds screens and market movement. When away from the computer, Kody enjoys spending his time outdoors relaxing at the beach or golfing with friends.