Part of being successful in the NHL playoffs depends on how well a team can react to adversity. Given the nature of the postseason, there really isn’t time to dwell on an injury or a tough loss, because if you do, you can bet that the opposing team is going to jump all over any sign of weakness. The Anaheim Ducks blew through the opening round free from stress, disposing of the Calgary Flames in a 4-game sweep.
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They may have been a little too relaxed heading into their second round meeting with the Edmonton Oilers, because they came out flat and lost their opening 2 games at home. They responded well to that bout of adversity, blowing out the Oilers in Game 3, but they still need to find a way to avoid being pushed to the brink in Game 4. The Oilers are a young team almost totally devoid of playoff experience, and so far, it has been smooth sailing. This is a confident group that doesn’t seem to understand the meaning of stress, and they will be ready to go for Game 4 on Wednesday night.
Here’s A Closer Look At The NHL Game 4 Free Picks For Ducks At Oilers
When: Wednesday, May 3 at 10 PM EST
Where: Rogers Place, Edmonton
TV: NBCSN
Live Stream: NHL.TV
NHL Odds: Edmonton Oilers -1½ (+260)
Why bet on the Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks coaching staff were looking for a response from their players after losing the opening two games of the series, and they certainly got one in Game 3. The Ducks are not a team known for their scoring, so the fact that they won 6-3 in a critical game may well be a sign that this team is ready to step it up a gear in this series. Anaheim has been perfect on the road in the postseason, but they have also been a little undisciplined at times. This is a team that plays right on the edge, and there have been too many occasions when that has come back to bite them, as they have taken bad penalties at inopportune times in the game. Discipline and strong offense are the keys to the Ducks getting this series level.
Why bet on the Edmonton Oilers
We all keep waiting for the Edmonton Oilers to remember their lack of experience and simply fold up, but this team just keeps rising to the occasion. While the loss in Game 3 was a tough one, it’s worth remembering that they had a similar thing happen in their opening round series versus the San Jose Sharks. With a 2-1 lead in that series, Edmonton went into San Jose and were routed 7-0 in Game 4. Many hockey fans believed it was the beginning of the end, but the Oilers went on to take the next 2 games and win the series. They’ll be looking for a similar reaction in this one.
Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction
I think that the 6-3 win for the Ducks in Game 3 was a big turning point for that team, and I believe that they are going to come out an even the series on Wednesday night.
