The Edmonton Oilers have been the best in the business for two-plus months, and they roll into the Xcel Energy Center to take on the injury-riddled Minnesota Wild on Wednesday, January 15.
Edmonton superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have led the way, and my top Oilers vs. Wild predictions anticipate the one-two punch being too much for Minny tonight.
Get your NHL picks in before the puck drops at 8:30 p.m. ET on Sportsnet at TNT.
Oilers vs Wild prediction
My Oilers pick
Oilers -1.5 puck line (+125 at BET99)
My Oilers analysis
The Minnesota Wild are likely still missing their best offensive player and three best defensemen, and I’m anticipating the Edmonton Oilers proving to be too much tonight.
Edmonton has turned it on since mid-November with a 21-6-2 run that includes pacing the NHL in points percentage (.759). Oilers superstars Connor McDavid (49) and Leon Draisaitl (48) also respectively rank first and second in points, and Draisaitl’s 22 goals also lead the way.
I also value the improved play from No. 1 goalie Stuart Skinner. He’s turned the corner with a 14-4-2 record, .910 save percentage, and 2.42 GAA during the heater, while also allowing two goals or fewer in 12 of his past 17 starts.
Edmonton is doing a lot right as a team, too.
The Oilers sport a fifth-ranked 53.9 Corsi For percentage and second-ranked 54.8 expected goals percentage at 5-on-5, and they also have a fourth-ranked 29.2 power-play percentage and top-ranked 88.1 penalty-kill percentage during the stretch.
There isn’t any glaring statistical correction ahead, either. Edmonton has a 100.2 PDO with a sustainable 9.2 team shooting percentage and .914 team save percentage at 5-on-5.
Oilers vs Wild same-game parlay (SGP)
Oilers -1.5
Leon Draisaitl Over 2.5 shots
Joel Eriksson Ek Under 0.5 points
Draisaitl is one of the most consistent shooters in the league and has recorded three or more shots in 27 and 43 games this season, including 12 of his past 16. He’s in the 97th percentile of forwards in shots on goal and 95th in offensive zone time at even strength, and his 59.4 CF% at 5-on-5 is also a high-end mark.
I’m expecting more of the same from No. 29 tonight with the Minny blue line banged up.
There’s been a huge decline in Minnesota center Joel Eriksson Ek’s offensive production this season, and there are two easy explanations. His shots per 60 minutes have dropped to 8.04 and secondary assists to 0.52 after posting respectable marks over the previous two years.
With Eriksson Ek set to line up against McDavid and/or Draisaitl all night, and the Oilers allowing just 2.48 goals per game with a league-best 88.1 penalty-kill percentage through their past 29 games, this is a nightmare matchup for the Minny center.
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Oilers vs Wild odds
Oilers vs Wild live odds
Oilers vs Wild opening odds
- Puck line: Edmonton -1.5 (+150) | Minnesota +1.5 (-180)
- Moneyline: Edmonton -170 | Minnesota +145
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 (-125) | Under 5.5 (+105)
Oilers vs Wild trend
The Minnesota Wild have only covered the puck line in 15 of their last 41 games at home (-12.45 Units / -23% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Oilers vs. Wild.
How to watch Oilers vs Wild
| Location: | Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN |
| Date: | Wednesday, 1-15-2025 |
| Puck drop: | 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | Sportsnet, TNT |
Oilers vs Wild latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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