On January 15, 2025, the Edmonton Oilers will face the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN. Both teams enter this matchup with impressive records of 27 wins and 13 losses, making this a highly anticipated game.
Current Team Records and Performance
- Edmonton Oilers: 27-13-3
- Minnesota Wild: 27-13-4
The Oilers have a slight edge in points due to their overtime losses. In terms of offensive output, Edmonton averages 3.31 goals per game, ranking them among the top teams in the league, while Minnesota follows closely with an average of 3.00 goals per game.Defensively, the Oilers have allowed 117 goals, averaging 2.7 goals against per game, which ranks them sixth in the league for fewest goals allowed. The Wild’s defensive statistics are solid but not fully detailed; however, they are known for a strong defensive structure.
Special Teams Analysis
- Edmonton Oilers:
- Power Play Percentage: 24.76%
- Penalty Kill Percentage: 80%
- Minnesota Wild:
- Power Play Percentage: 18.18%
- Penalty Kill Percentage: 60.61%
The Oilers’ power play is significantly more effective than that of the Wild, converting nearly one-quarter of their opportunities compared to Minnesota’s struggles at just over 18%. Additionally, Edmonton’s penalty kill is robust, while Minnesota’s needs improvement.
Shots and Goaltending Metrics
Edmonton leads in shots on goal with an average of 32.29 per game, compared to Minnesota’s 27.89. This shooting efficiency contributes to their higher scoring rate and reflects their offensive pressure.In goal, the Oilers are expected to start Stuart Skinner, who has a save percentage around 91.1%, while the Wild will rely on Filip Gustavsson.
Injury Report
- Edmonton Oilers:
- No Player Injuries
- Minnesota Wild:
- Brock Faber (Questionable)
- Jonas Brodin (Questionable)
The absence of key players like Kaprizov and Spurgeon could significantly impact Minnesota’s performance, particularly on both ends of the ice.
Home/Away Performance
- The Oilers have been strong on the road with a solid record.
- The Wild typically perform well at home but face challenges due to injuries affecting their lineup.
Coaching Strategies and Head-to-Head History
Both teams are led by experienced coaches known for their strategic acumen. Recent matchups indicate that Edmonton has struggled historically against Minnesota, with a record of 3-11 in their last 14 encounters. However, current season dynamics could shift this trend given both teams’ current form.
Advanced Metrics and Puck Possession
When analyzing advanced metrics:
- Corsi and Fenwick statistics suggest that Edmonton has been more dominant in puck possession.
- Face-off win percentages favor the Oilers as well, indicating they may have more opportunities to control play and generate scoring chances.
Rest and Schedule Considerations
Both teams come into this game under similar rest conditions, having played recently without significant travel fatigue impacting performance.
Betting Trends and Predictions
The betting lines currently favor the Oilers as road favorites at a moneyline of -190, while the Wild sit at +158 as underdogs. The puck line is set at 1.5, with a total of 6 goals for the game.
Prediction Summary
Based on comprehensive analysis:
- Predicted Final Score: Edmonton Oilers 4, Minnesota Wild 2
- Confidence Level: Medium
- Recommended Bet Type: Moneyline on Edmonton Oilers due to their superior special teams and offensive metrics.
Potential player props may include betting on Connor McDavid for points or Stuart Skinner for saves given his strong performance metrics this season.
Key Matchups to Watch
- The effectiveness of Edmonton’s power play against Minnesota’s struggling penalty kill could be pivotal.
- The goaltending battle between Skinner and Gustavsson will also be crucial; whoever can make timely saves will likely influence the game’s outcome significantly.
This matchup promises excitement as both teams vie for crucial points in the standings while navigating injury challenges and leveraging their strengths effectively on the ice.
