Oilers vs. Wild prediction, odds, pick, how to watch
The Edmonton Oilers look for their second win of the year as they face the Minnesota Wild. It is time to continue our NHL odds series with an Oilers-Wild prediction, pick, and how-to-watch.
The Oilers are sitting at 1-4 on the year. They have struggled on offense this year. In the four losses, they have scored just seven goals, while scoring six goals in the win against the Predators. Last time out, the Oilers started with a 2-0 lead but gave one back in the first period. Then, in the second period, the Jets scored a shorthanded goal to tie the game. Then in overtime, the Jets scored to win the game and knock the Oilers to 1-4. Still, the Oilers are going to be missing their top goal scorer, with Connor McDavid out in this game.
Meanwhile, the Wild are just 2-2-1 on the season. They opened the season with a 2-0 win over the Panthers, before falling to the Maple Leafs 7-4. They rebounded against the Canadiens and won 5-2, but would lose the next two games. The defense has let them down in the last two games while letting in 12 goals. The Blue Jackets and Kings both beat the Wild in the process of sending the Wild to 2-2-1 on the year.
Here are the NHL Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NHL Odds: Oilers vs. Wild Odds
Edmonton Oilers: -110
Minnesota Wild: -110
Over: 6.5 (-112)
Under: 6.5 (-110)
How to Watch Oilers vs. Wild
Time: 9:00 PM ET/ 6:00 PM PT
TV: NHLPP/ESPN+
Why The Oilers Will Win
The Oilers are missing a lot in this game. Connor McDavid will be out in this game, and with it, two goals and six assists are gone from the line-up. That is also a huge hurt for the power play. He has a goal and four assists on the power play. Still, they have Leon Draisaitl. He has four goals this season with five assists. He has been great on the power play, with three goals and two assists this year.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman have also been solid this year for the Oilers. Nugent-Hopkins has two goals this year with four assists. Meanwhile, Hyman has the same, with two goals and four assists on the season.
Shots on goal have been the key for the Oilers this year. They have 30 or more shots in three of the five games this year. They also have two games over 40 shots. They have also been great on the power play. They have scored on the power play in four of five games this year. The Oilers have scored six goals on the power play while having 20 chances this year. Still, on the penalty kill, they need some help. They have given up six goals when a man is down this year on 21 chances for the season.
The Oilers start Jack Campbell in goal this game. He is 1-2-0 on the year with a 3.66 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. While he has a solid save percentage, it all comes from one game. In the first game, he has just a .750 save percentage, while a .875 save percentage last time out. Still, against Nashville, he saved 43 of 44 shots.
Why The Wild Will Win
For the Wild, starts with Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov. Eriksson Ek has seven points this year with three goals and four assists. He has all three goals on the power play this year. Meanwhile, Kaprizov has two goals this year and four assists. Still, like Eriksson Ek, it is a lot of power-play points. He has a goal and three assists on the power play this year.
Meanwhile,e, fourth-line center Connor Dewar is also making an impact. He has two goals this year and an assist. Assisting has been the name of the game for Mats Zuccarello. He has six of them this year, with four of them on the power play. He also has a goal this year.
The power play has been huge for Minnesota this year. They have scored on the power play in two games this year winning both of them. Meanwhile, thye have failed to score on the power play three times this year, and have lost all three of those games. Minnesota is four for 20 this year on the man-advantage. They also need to be better on the penalty kill. They have given up goals when man down twice this year, losing both of those games while going 1-2 in the other games. On the year, they have allowed three goals when man-down on 14 chances.
It will be Filip Gustavsson in goal tonight for the Wild. He is 1-1-1 on the year with a 3.93 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage. In his first game of the year, he stopped all 41 shots he faced to get the win but has not been as good since. In the last two games, he has allowed 12 goals while facing 87 shots, good for a .862 save percentage.
Final Oilers-Wild Prediction & Pick
While both goalies have had good games and bad games as of late. This game is going to come down to the power play. When the Wild scored on the power play, they won. When they do not, they have lost. Further, when they allow a power play goal, they have lost, while the wins come when they have won when man-down. Both of those things play right into the Oiler's hands. the Oilers kill penalties well while scoring great on the power play. Take them to win in this one.
Final Oilers-Wild Prediction & Pick: Edmonton Oilers ML (-110)
