Edmonton Oilers vs. St. Louis Blues Prediction, Preview, and Odds
The Edmonton Oilers (31-17-1) have been the NHL's hottest team over the past six weeks, and with things finally clicking in a wide-open Western Conference, this could finally be the year that they make a deep playoff run, with the upcoming March 8 trade deadline giving them the chance to load up on talent even more.
In this one, they'll battle the St. Louis Blues (28-22-2), who have continued to fight hard all season despite an overwhelming abundance of elite-level talent like other teams have, and with their shot at the playoffs being just as strong as it was a few months ago, they may sneak into a Wild Card spot and surprise many people this season.
Can the Oilers continue their ascent to the top of the Pacific?
Just two months ago, the Edmonton Oilers appeared to be a team with no direction and very little momentum, and now they come into this one on the back of 18 victories in their past 20 games, taking their season tally to 31-17-1, good for third place in the Pacific Division, with the second place Golden Knights just five points clear. On the road this season, the Oilers have improved greatly in recent times, pushing them to 14-11-0 in 25 games played, and with their +34 goal differential on the season, this is a team trending upwards, and if they can make solid moves ahead of the trade deadline, they may be on their way to Stanley Cup glory in 2023-24.
Leading the way for the Oilers this season is unsurprisingly their biggest star in Connor McDavid, posting 77 points in 46 games played, with the goaltending improving mightily as of late with Stuart Skinner now tallying a 2.49 GAA and a .909 save percentage on the season. Last time out for the Oilers was a thrilling win over the Detroit Red Wings, with McDavid's six assists on the night stealing the show as Skinner stopped 34 of the 38 shots he saw on the night for a massive 8-4 victory.
Can the Blues keep their firm grip on a playoff spot?
The St. Louis Blues were heavily overlooked coming into the 2023-24 season, but with the trade deadline approaching, they've continued to be incredibly consistent, posting a 7-2-0 record over their past nine games, taking them to 28-22-2 on the season, putting them in prime position for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. At home this season, the Blues have put together a solid 15-9-1 record in 25 games played, but if they want to be seen as a genuine threat, they'll need to improve in some key areas that has got their goal differential on the season to -9.
Leading the way for the Blues this year is young center Robert Thomas who has managed 57 points in 52 games in what is poised to be a career year, with their goaltending tandem thriving once more, posting a 3.02 GAA and a .910 save percentage. Last time out for the Blues was a tough loss at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs, with Alexey Toropchenko's lone goal on the night not enough to keep this one close as Binnington allowed three goals on 31 shots, enough to see Toronto pick up the one-sided 4-1 victory.
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Best Bets
Full-Game Side Bet
Rating:
While the Blues haven't been an easy win for anyone this season, they come into this one facing the hottest team in the entire NHL, and with 18 wins in their past 20 games, there's no doubt that the Edmonton Oilers have more confidence than anyone ahead of this matchup.
St. Louis has surprisingly tallied a 6-4 record in their past 10 head-to-head meetings, but the Oilers have picked up two wins in their past three matchups in St. Louis, and with Stuart Skinner firing and the offense finally clicking with their new pieces, this should be another big win for the red-hot Oilers.
Prediction: Edmonton -1.5
Full-Game Total Pick
Rating:
On the surface, it may be crazy to take the under given Connor McDavid's six assist night last time out, but in their past 10 head-to-head encounters, the over sits at just 5-4-1, with those 10 games combining to average just over six goals per game.
For the Oilers, the under is 8-2 in their past 10 overall games, with the defense firing to the tune of 2.1 goals allowed per game over that time, and for the Blues, the under is 4-6 over that same span, with just four goals allowed in their past three games played at home, so expect this one to be decided by the massive goaltending matchup.
Keep it simple, take the under.
