Analysis of Oilers vs Wild Matchup: Prediction, Odds, and Betting Trends for Wednesday Night Hockey

  • The Edmonton Oilers (27-13-3) visit the Minnesota Wild (27-13-4) on Wednesday, January 15 at 8:30 PM ET
  • We’ve got our Oilers vs Wild prediction for tonight’s game on TNT and Sportsnet
  • Read below for the Oilers vs Wild odds, betting lines, and our pick for this Western Conference clash

Two of the Western Conference’s top teams collide when the Edmonton Oilers (27-13-3) take on the Minnesota Wild (27-13-4) on Wednesday night. Puck drop from the Xcel Energy Center is set for 8:30 PM ET, with national coverage on TNT in the US and Sportsnet in Canada.

The Oilers opened as -185 road favorites but have since been bet up to -220. The total opened at 6.5 but sharp money has come in on the Under, driving the number down to 6 goals at most sportsbooks.

Let’s break down the Oilers vs Wild odds and offer up our best bet for this marquee matchup.

Oilers vs Wild Betting Analysis

The Oilers come in riding a two-game win streak after shutting out the Kings 1-0 on Monday night. Connor McDavid celebrated his 28th birthday with the game’s lone goal, while netminder Stuart Skinner made 43 saves for his second blanking of the season.

Edmonton has been sensational on the road, going 12-6-2 away from Rogers Place. They’ve also been lights out within the division, posting a 9-2-2 mark against their Pacific Division rivals. The Oil are 7-2-1 in their last 10 overall.

Meanwhile, the Wild have faced some adversity with a laundry list of injuries to key players. They’ll be without superstar Kirill Kaprizov, top-four D-men Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon, and depth forwards Jakub Lauko. Standout rookie blueliner Brock Faber is also questionable.

Despite the walking wounded, Minnesota has managed to stay afloat, going 7-3-0 in their last 10 games. They’ve been relying more on their defensive structure and goaltending during this stretch. The Wild rank 8th in goals against (2.73 per game) and 4th in shots allowed (26.2).

On the Edmonton side, Calvin Pickard will get the start in goal. The veteran is 9-4-0 with a 2.47 GAA and .898 SV%. For Minnesota, Filip Gustavsson is the projected starter. Gus is 18-8-3 with a 2.50 GAA and .917 SV%.

The biggest mismatch on paper is special teams. The Oilers boast the league’s 8th-ranked power play (24.3%) and 24th-ranked PK (77.1%). Minnesota’s PP is middle of the pack (18.2% – 24th) but their PK is a dismal 71.6% (30th).

Both teams rank top-10 in goals against but are middling in goals for. Edmonton sits 8th in scoring (3.26 GF/GP) while the Wild are tied for 17th (2.95 GF/GP). The Oilers also lead the NHL in shots per game (32.3) and are 4th-best at suppressing shots (26.2 SA/GP).

Oilers vs Wild Prediction

  • Under 6.5 Goals (-145 at ESPN Bet)

I’m backing the Under 6.5 goals at -145 as my best bet for Oilers vs Wild. These teams have strong underlying defensive metrics and consistent goaltending, which sets up well for a lower-scoring, playoff-type atmosphere.

Some key trends also point to the Under:

  • The Under is 5-2 in Edmonton’s last 7 overall
  • The Under is 14-2 in Edmonton’s last 16 games played in January.
  • The Under has cashed in 4 of Minnesota’s last 5 games against an opponent in the Pacific Division division.

With Minnesota missing arguably their three most important skaters in Kaprizov, Brodin and Spurgeon, I don’t see them being able to crack Pickard and the stingy Oilers’ defense.

Oilers vs Wild Odds

Team Moneyline Puck Line Total
Edmonton Oilers -220 -1.5 (+110) O 6.0 (+115)
Minnesota Wild +185 +1.5 (-130) U 6.0 (-145)

Odds as of January 15, 2025 at Bet99 Sportsbook. Edmonton residents can sign up to bet with the Bet99 promo code, or check out other Alberta betting apps.

The Oilers are favored on the moneyline at -220, meaning a $220 bet would profit $100 with an Edmonton victory. The Wild are home underdogs at +185 (bet $100 to win $185).

On the puck line, Edmonton is -1.5 (+110) while Minnesota is +1.5 (-130). The Oilers puck line would hit if they win by 2+ goals. A Wild puck line bet cashes if they win outright or lose by a single goal.

The game total sits at 6.5 goals, with heavy -145 juice on the Under. The Under has dropped all the way to 5.5 at DraftKings, indicating oddsmakers are expecting a low-event, tight-checking tilt.

Oilers vs Wild Head-to-Head

This is the third and final regular season meeting between Edmonton and Minnesota. The season series is tied 1-1, with the road team winning each matchup.

The Wild took the first game 5-3 in Edmonton back on November 21. Kirill Kaprizov and Mats Zuccarello each had three points in the win.

YouTube video

Edmonton responded with a 7-1 thrashing in Minnesota on December 12. The Oilers had six different players record multi-point games, led by Leon Draisaitl’s goal and three assists. Connor McDavid also had a goal and two helpers.

Recent Head-to-Head Results

Date Home Away Score Moneyline Over/Under
Dec 12, 2024 MIN EDM EDM 7 – MIN 1 EDM -140 Over 6.5
Nov 21, 2024 EDM MIN MIN 5 – EDM 3 MIN +165 Over 6.5

The road team has won each of the last three meetings dating back to last season. The Over hit in both matchups so far in 2024-25. However, I see value going against the grain given all the injuries on Minnesota’s squad.

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The Edmonton Oilers will face off against the Minnesota Wild in an exciting matchup on Wednesday night. Both teams have been performing well this season, making this game one to watch for hockey fans and bettors alike.

The Oilers currently sit in second place in the Pacific Division with a record of 26-14-2, while the Wild are in fourth place in the Central Division with a record of 24-12-3. Both teams have been playing solid hockey recently, with the Oilers winning seven of their last ten games and the Wild winning six of their last ten.

In terms of prediction, this game is shaping up to be a close one. The Oilers have a slight edge in terms of overall record and offensive firepower, with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl leading the way. However, the Wild have been playing strong defensively, allowing just 2.5 goals per game on average.

When it comes to betting odds, the Oilers are currently favored to win this matchup. According to Odds Shark, the Oilers have odds of -120 to win, while the Wild have odds of +110. This means that a $120 bet on the Oilers would win you $100, while a $100 bet on the Wild would win you $110.

In terms of betting trends, the Oilers have been a solid bet at home this season, with a record of 15-6-0 at Rogers Place. The Wild, on the other hand, have been strong on the road, with a record of 11-6-2 away from home.

Overall, this matchup between the Oilers and Wild is shaping up to be a close and exciting game. With both teams playing well and plenty on the line in terms of playoff positioning, this game is sure to be a must-watch for hockey fans and a great opportunity for bettors to get in on the action.