As the NHL regular season winds down, the April 7, 2025, matchup between the Edmonton Oilers and Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center stands out as a game of contrasting momentum and playoff urgency. The Oilers, loaded with elite scoring talent and deep postseason aspirations, are looking to tighten their form heading into the final stretch. Conversely, the Ducks, widely considered a rebuilding team earlier in the season, have recently defied expectations with an impressive 8-2 record against the spread over their last 10 games. This clash not only tests the Oilers’ consistency against lower-ranked teams but also provides the Ducks another shot to play spoiler against a Western Conference heavyweight, especially after their eye-opening 6-2 win over Edmonton just weeks ago. The Oilers’ blueprint for success is no mystery. Their offensive core is built around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, two of the most dynamic forwards in the game. Together, they fuel one of the NHL’s top power plays and consistently tilt the ice in Edmonton’s favor. Supporting them are Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Evan Bouchard, who provide the secondary scoring and defensive support that gives the Oilers their lethal scoring depth. However, despite their offensive firepower, Edmonton has battled through inconsistency on the back end, both in five-on-five defensive coverage and goaltending stability. That uneven play has resulted in a 5-5 ATS mark over their last 10, reflecting how difficult it can be for them to dominate for a full 60 minutes. Against the Ducks, who have recently succeeded at frustrating opponents and capitalizing on mistakes, Edmonton must avoid defensive breakdowns and maintain possession in the offensive zone.

Anaheim, meanwhile, has become one of the league’s most intriguing late-season storylines. Though well outside of playoff positioning, the Ducks have rattled off a string of competitive performances, frequently outperforming oddsmakers’ expectations. Their recent 6-2 win over the Oilers was a masterclass in opportunistic hockey—smart forechecking, aggressive transition play, and a hot goaltender combined to neutralize Edmonton’s stars and frustrate their game plan. Players like Trevor Zegras, Mason McTavish, and Troy Terry have stepped up offensively, while goaltending from Lukas Dostal or John Gibson (depending on the starter) has offered much-needed reliability. The Ducks’ ability to stay within games and capitalize on lapses has made them a profitable ATS pick down the stretch. Anaheim’s success will depend on their ability to once again slow the pace, protect the middle of the ice, and avoid the penalty box, where Edmonton’s power play can quickly swing momentum. While the Oilers are the clear favorite on paper, the dynamics at play make this matchup far from a foregone conclusion. Edmonton has more at stake with seeding implications and pressure to perform, but Anaheim’s recent surge and fearless playstyle have turned them into a dangerous opponent. The Ducks will try to replicate their March formula—force turnovers, pressure the puck, and strike in transition—while Edmonton must assert control early, dictate possession, and get pucks to the net with volume. Ultimately, this game will be decided by discipline and execution: if the Oilers bring their A-game, they should overpower the Ducks, but if they falter in structure and underestimate Anaheim’s push, an upset could easily be on the cards again.