This is a must win game for the Oilers so I am fine with taking them at home at plus money. They haven’t looked great, but they are a different team at home. The Oilers goalies should also be settled by traveling home as well. The Avs are the much better team, but the Oilers should have the desperation tonight. I like the Oilers at home.

Tail me at your peril as I'm 0-2 in this series on Oilers pucklines. I absolutely did not see Game 2 coming (did personally bet the under so that at least worked but will rarely do a total and ML/PL play on here as the NHL playoffs are so unpredictable) with Edmonton being shut out. Shoot, if you had told me the Oilers were going to score six times in Game 1 and the Avalanche were going to score "only" four in Game 2, I would have taken those numbers in a heartbeat ahead of time and assumedly cash both puckline bets. Alas, no. Thursday was not the first time the Oilers were blanked in these playoffs as high-powered as they are: They also lost 4-0 in Round 1 at Los Angeles but scored four the next game at home (yet lost). Is Colorado the better team? Sure, but I don't see Edmonton getting swept and having the last line change will help big time at home. The Oilers actually have been dominating the face-off circle in the series. It will be a crazy crowd, nothing like an American crowd for a hockey game, and Edmonton thoroughly outplayed a very good Calgary team in the final two at Rogers Place in the last round. I really want this to be a competitive series ... the home team is 7-1 in the past eight overall between the clubs.

The Oilers return home after getting shut down in Game 2. Edmonton plays much better at home and needs this game in a big way. Colorado has lost just two games in the postseason. This seems like a bad spot on the road after scoring 12 goals in its past two games combined. Edmonton is 2-0 in Game 3s this postseason. The Oilers won the face-off battle in both games. Take what should be an inspired home underdog.