Anaheim Ducks vs Edmonton Oilers Picks and Predictions December 29th 2024

Coming Off OT Loss, Oilers Look to Bounce Back at Ducks

The Edmonton Oilers aim to regain their winning form on Sunday afternoon when they visit the Anaheim Ducks in a Pacific Division clash. Both teams are coming off games played the night before, setting up a battle of stamina and execution.

Oilers Seek Rebound After OT Setback

The Oilers narrowly fell 4-3 in overtime to the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, snapping a three-game winning streak. Edmonton had rallied from a 2-1 deficit with two quick goals in the second period but couldn’t maintain momentum through the final frame and overtime.

“Just not having enough of our lines going,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said postgame. “We had strong contributions from some guys, but we just couldn’t maintain the momentum because of everyone not playing to their best.”

Despite the loss, Edmonton remains one of the league’s hottest teams, boasting a 12-3-1 record over their past 16 games. However, the setback dropped the Oilers to third in the Pacific Division, tied with the Kings in points but behind in regulation wins.

Viktor Arvidsson, a key offseason acquisition from the Kings, scored against his former team and now has three points in his past two games. His line with Leon Draisaitl and Vasily Podkolzin has been a consistent offensive force, out-attempting the Kings 20-7 during even-strength play.

“I just think we think the game kind of the same way,” Arvidsson said about his chemistry with Draisaitl. “There are still some details to clean up, but we’re finding each other and know where we are on the ice.”

Ducks Look for Offense Amid Struggles

The Anaheim Ducks enter Sunday’s matchup reeling from consecutive 3-1 losses, the most recent coming Saturday at home against the Philadelphia Flyers. These defeats follow a brief surge in form, where the Ducks won three of four games.

Anaheim’s offensive woes remain a glaring issue. The Ducks rank last in the NHL in both total goals (81) and goals-per-game average (2.38), continuing a trend of offensive struggles from previous seasons.

“You’ve got to score goals in this league to win,” Ducks forward Ryan Strome said. “We’ve got to try to generate a little bit more, have a little more confidence. Hopefully, we can find it here because it seems like we’re doing a lot of good things.”

A bright spot for Anaheim has been Troy Terry, who leads the team with 10 goals. He has rediscovered his scoring touch with four goals in his past nine games after enduring a nine-game drought.

“I hate taking moral victories, but I feel like in this situation we kind of have to do that,” Strome said. “We need to stay positive because when you get negative, you get down on yourselves, and it’s even harder to score goals.”

Key Matchup Factors

1. Edmonton’s Offense vs. Anaheim’s Defense
   The Oilers bring a high-octane attack led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Edmonton will look to exploit Anaheim’s defensive vulnerabilities while tightening up their own structure after a rare lapse against Los Angeles.
2. Back-to-Back Challenge
   Both teams are on the second leg of a back-to-back, meaning depth players and special teams could play decisive roles.
3. Troy Terry’s Scoring Touch
   Anaheim’s offensive hopes hinge on Troy Terry, who has shown flashes of form but needs consistent support from his teammates to break through Edmonton’s defense.

Discover detailed insights in NHL Atlantic Division Odds & Predictions.

Outlook

The Oilers enter this game as favorites, given their recent form and superior offensive firepower. However, the Ducks could capitalize if Edmonton’s fatigue from the overtime game lingers. A quick start by Anaheim could force Edmonton into a challenging position as they try to rebound.