The Edmonton Oilers are favored to win the Stanley Cup this year. Our 2024-25 Oilers season preview will detail how the Oilers can make good on their favorite status and win the Cup.
Edmonton Oilers 2024 Offseason Acquisitions:
- Signed free agent Viktor Arvidsson to 2-year contract
- Signed free agent Jeff Skinner to 1-year contract
Edmonton Oilers 2024 Offseason Departures:
- Philip Broberg signed an offer sheet with the St. Louis Blues
- Dylan Holloway signed an offer sheet with the St. Louis Blues
- Vincent Desharnais signed as a free agent with Vancouver Canucks
- Warren Foegele signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings
Can the Edmonton Oilers Win The Stanley Cup In 2024-25?
We all know how the Oilers were one win short of hoisting the Stanley Cup in 23-24. Conn Smythe winner Connor McDavid did all he could to push his Oilers to victory but fell short. A fact that will surely motivate the hockey phenom in 24-25.
Step one for the Oilers is the regular season. FanDuel has set the Oilers' points total line at 106.5. The total is a toss-up between the OVER and UNDER at -113.
Smashing the OVER only asks the Oilers to pick up three more points. Remember, Edmonton was DREADFUL to begin the 23-24 season. That's why they fired Jay Woodcroft in early November. Replacement Kris Knoblauch was exceptional in coaching them to a 16-game winning streak and a 46-18-5 record overall.
Edmonton Oilers
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) January 27, 2024
3rd team in NHL history with a 16-game win streak
3rd team in NHL history with 24 wins in a 27-game span
Have held opponents without a goal in 42% of game time during this 16-game win streak pic.twitter.com/w1U89uxJr4
Now consider that Edmonton plays in a horrible Pacific Division. They'll face San Jose four times (three times in April), Anaheim four times, and the Flames three times. That's 11 games where the Oilers will be heavy favorites. When the Oilers were at least -190 favorites they put up an excellent 23-9SU (71.9%) record.
There is no doubt that Knoblauch getting a full 82-game season and with that horrible division, EDM will hit the OVER on their points total and make the playoffs.
The books agree, specifically with that call to make the playoffs. Edmonton has the best odds to make the postseason in the league at -1000.
When Is The Right Time To Bet On Oilers Futures?
If you're sure the Oilers are destined for the playoffs and the Cup then I'd get those bets in soon. Edmonton is the favorite to win the Cup at +850. Maybe you want to see them in action before putting money on them. If so I wouldn't dally too long.
In December, Edmonton futures will surely drop in value. Nine of 13 games that month will be played at home. EDM held a 68.3% win rate at home last year. Assuming their 68% home win rate continues in December, Edmonton will stack up several wins and drive that +850 value way down.
So if you're going to bet on Edmonton do so before December.
How Can They Win The Stanley Cup
Trying to detail how they can win the Cup is pretty simple. Do the same as you did last year.
The Oilers won the xG battle in five out of seven games in the Finals. They would have won the Cup in six games had they scored the goals they were supposed to score. That's why the acquisitions of Arvidsson and Skinner are so important. Over the past three seasons, the duo has combined for 4.34 goals above expected in all situations. When they get opportunities they score.
I'm not going to say Edmonton is a lock to win the Cup, no team ever is. But they are the rightful favorites and have the means (and motivation) to hoist Lord Stanley's Cup.
Connor McDavid Is The Key
Connor McDavid will be the key for the Oilers. I know that's a shocking statement. McDavid scored 132 points last year with 100 assists. Books expect an equally productive season this year putting McDavid's point total at 130.5. The OVER and UNDER are both at -114.
I'd push the OVER on that points total. Not only because McDavid hit it last year with 132 points, but because the Oilers added more offensive depth. Arvidsson scored at a 27-goal and 68-point pace. Skinner paced out to a similar 27 goals and 51 points.
If you want more value than -114, you can take McDavid to win the Hart Trophy at +150. If McDavid scores OVER 130.5 points, he could easily be the league's top scorer. Taking him to win the Hart instead of the O130.5 points would yield an extra $62 in profits.
