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Canucks vs. Oilers prediction: Why Edmonton is favored to win Thursday's NHL matchup [4/16/2026]
Updated: | First published:
Written by Jason Bevilacqua, Head of Content and Communities
Get Vancouver Canucks vs Edmonton Oilers predictions for NHL Thursday.
The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks will meet in the NHL at Rogers Place on Thursday, with puck drop at 9:00 PM ET.
Based on updated simulations, Dimers' advanced NHL model projects the Oilers as the most likely winner of the Canucks vs. Oilers game.
This article offers a closer look at Thursday's matchup, including projected goal scorers, best bets and player prop picks.
Canucks vs. Oilers prediction: Who will win and cover?
Using innovative machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Thursday's NHL matchup between the Canucks and Oilers, forming part of our NHL predictions coverage.
Our independent predictive model currently gives the Oilers a 70% chance of beating the Canucks.
According to our model, the Canucks (+1.5) have a 51% chance of covering the puck line, while the over/under total of 6.5 goals has a 51% chance of staying under.
Canucks vs. Oilers odds
We have sourced the best NHL odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
| Bet Type | Canucks | Oilers |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | +1.5 (+105) | -1.5 (-125) |
| Moneyline | +260 | -320 |
| Total | o6.5 (+102) | u6.5 (+105) |
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Canucks vs. Oilers picks and best bet
After matching our predictions against the best current odds, we can reveal our picks for each of the major markets. Plus, find our best bet for the game below:
| Bet Type | Pick | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|
| Puck Line | Canucks +1.5 | +105 |
| Moneyline | Canucks | +260 |
| Total | Under 6.5 | +105 |
According to our NHL best bets, the top play to make on this game is Canucks +1.5 at the spread.
These picks are based on our probabilities matched against the implied probabilities from the sportsbook odds.
Canucks vs. Oilers player props
Who will score a goal in Canucks vs. Oilers?
According to our model, Connor McDavid is most likely to score an anytime goal in Canucks vs. Oilers.
Our projections give McDavid a 52.0% chance of scoring a goal at Rogers Place, while the star is a 12.2% chance of netting the first goal the game.
Anytime goal scorer predictions
Vancouver Canucks
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Brock Boeser | 35.0% |
| Jake DeBrusk | 34.0% |
| Marco Rossi | 27.3% |
| Nils Hoglander | 20.6% |
| Linus Karlsson | 19.3% |
Edmonton Oilers
| Player | Anytime Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Connor McDavid | 52.0% |
| Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | 32.1% |
| Jack Roslovic | 31.8% |
| Matt Savoie | 27.8% |
| Evan Bouchard | 24.1% |
First goal scorer predictions
Vancouver Canucks
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Brock Boeser | 7.1% |
| Jake DeBrusk | 5.9% |
| Marco Rossi | 4.6% |
| Nils Hoglander | 3.7% |
| Linus Karlsson | 3.3% |
Edmonton Oilers
| Player | First Goal Probability |
|---|---|
| Connor McDavid | 12.2% |
| Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | 5.8% |
| Jack Roslovic | 5.6% |
| Matt Savoie | 4.8% |
| Evan Bouchard | 4.5% |
Canucks vs. Oilers game-day updates and essential details
Thursday's matchup between the Oilers and Canucks at Rogers Place is scheduled to start at 9:00 PM ET.
- Who: Vancouver Canucks vs. Edmonton Oilers
- Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
- Time: 9:00 PM ET/6:00PM PT
- Venue: Rogers Place
Conclusion
We predict the Oilers, with a 70% win probability, will likely beat the Canucks in Thursday's NHL matchup.
Additional tools and information for betting safely can be found in our Responsible Gambling hub.
Jason Bevilacqua, an expert in MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NFL, delivers game previews, best bets, and props. Since 2020, as Head of Social and Community at Dimers, he has contributed insightful articles utilizing data-driven models and simulations.
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