In their first head-to-head meeting of the regular season, the Edmonton Oilers and the Minnesota Wild meet at the Xcel Energy Center for a Western Conference matchup. The opening face-off takes place at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 16, and fans at home can witness it live on Sportsnet West.
Edmonton Oilers at Minnesota Wild Odds
Minnesota is 17-14 straight up (SU) and has netted moneyline bettors 0.5 units this year. That early-season winning percentage is a regression from the 49-33 record that the team managed during the 2016-17 season campaign. Through 31 regular season outings, 16 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 10-5 SU at home this season.
The Wild have converted on 21.6 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that places them in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 10th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.8 percent of all penalties.
The Wild, as a collective unit, have been called for penalties 4.2 times per game overall this season, and 5.1 per game over their last ten matchups. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays for just 7.6 minutes per game over their last five home outings.
Averaging 27.8 saves per game with a .916 save percentage, Devan Dubnyk (13-10-2) has been the top option in goal for Minnesota this year. If the Wild, however, choose to give him a rest, head coach Bruce Boudreau could turn to Alex Stalock (5-5-5 record, .916 save percentage, 2.61 goals against average).
The Wild will continue to lean on the leadership from Eric Staal and Jason Zucker. Staal (27 points) has tallied 12 goals and 15 assists and has recorded two or more points on seven different occasions this year. Zucker has 14 goals and 11 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 18 games.
On the other side of the rink, Edmonton is 13-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 9.8 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 16 of its outings have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and just one has pushed. As the road team, the Oilers are 8-9 SU so far.
The Oilers have converted on 18.4 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 32nd overall and it’s successfully killed off 72.1 percent of all opponent power plays.
Edmonton’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 4.2 times per game in total this season, and 3.4 per game over their last five road outings. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays just 8.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cam Talbot (25.8 saves per game) has been the main option in goal for Edmonton. Talbot has 10 wins, 12 losses, and one overtime loss to his credit, while registering a .903 save percentage and 3.00 goals against average this year.
For the visiting Oilers, the offense will be coordinated by Connor McDavid, who has 27 assists and 12 goals this year.
Edmonton Oilers at Minnesota Wild Betting Predictions
Predictions: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes
The Oilers have averaged the league’s fourth-most shots on goal (34.9) and Minnesota has attempted just the 32nd-most (28.5).
Minnesota has allowed 2.8 goals per game overall this year, but is giving up only 1.5 per match up over its four-game winning streak.
Edmonton skaters have accounted for the second-most hits in the league (27.4 per game), but that number’s down to just 21.8 hits over their last five away games.
