Edmonton Oilers vs. Minnesota Wild: NHL Odds, Prediction
First of three meetings, with Edmonton hosting the Wild on March 10 and heading back to the Twin Cities on April 2, the Oilers’ third-to-last game of the regular season.
NHL Betting Analysis
Last year, the Wild were an excellent regular-season team as they finished with 106 points, second-most in the Western Conference. They also were 3-0 against Edmonton – one went to overtime and another to a shootout. The only definitive victory was a 5-2 Wild win in Edmonton on Jan. 31. Minnesota is 13-3-1 in its last 17 meetings with the Oilers and 13-1-0 in Edmonton since Oct. 21, 2010.
Oscar Klefbom (0G, 2A) and Leon Draisaitl (2G, 0A) led the Oilers with two points each against the Wild in 2016-17. Connor McDavid was held without a point and was a team-worst minus-4. Cam Talbot, currently out injured, was 0-1-1 with a 3.69 goals-against average and .891 save percentage. Jonas Gustavsson, not currently in the NHL, took the other loss.
Jason Zucker led Minnesota with three points (2G, 1A) in the season series. Devan Dubnyk was 2-0 with a 1.41 GAA and Darcy Kuemper (now with Kings) 1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .953 SV.
The Oilers have won just five of their past 27 in Minnesota.
Edmonton Oilers
Every time the Oilers (13-17-2) take a step forward, they seem to take one back. For example, they played terrific hockey Tuesday in a 7-2 win at a very good Columbus team but then followed up with a 4-0 home loss to Nashville on Thursday – the second time in three games the Oilers have been blanked. On the bright side, Edmonton did pepper Predators goalie Juuse Saros with 46 shots. All four Nashville goals on Laurent Brossoit came in the second period. It’s possible that the No. 1 goaltender Talbot could return Saturday. He’s on injured reserve with an upper-body injury but has returned to practice. The Oilers are 3-4-0 in the past seven without him.
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota (17-11-3) brings a four-game winning streak into this one, three of those going to at least overtime. An extra session wasn’t needed Thursday, however, as Alex Stalock beat Toronto 2-0. It was his first shutout in nearly three years and fifth career. Stalock became the first Minnesota-born goaltender to record a shutout for the Wild (previously played for Sharks). Tyler Ennis (sixth of season) and Mikael Granlund (seventh) had the two Minnesota goals. In their past 17 games, the Wild are 12-4-1 for an NHL-leading 25 points. Stalock has been starting of late because the No. 1 Dubnyk is dealing with a lower-body injury suffered in Tuesday’s 2-1 shootout win over Calgary. He left after the first period and may not return until after Christmas.
