The Xcel Energy Center will play host to a Western Conference matchup as the Edmonton Oilers visit Minnesota to take on the Wild. It’s the third and final time that these two clubs will go at it in the regular season. The game gets underway at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, April 2 and it can be viewed live on Sportsnet West.
Edmonton Oilers at Minnesota Wild Odds
Edmonton (+170) is entering this one as the underdog to Minnesota (-200) and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals. The odds for betting the total stand at -120 over, +100 under.
Minnesota is 43-35 straight up (SU) and has earned 2.2e-16 units for moneyline bettors this season. That winning percentage, ranked third in the Central Division so far this season, is a slide from what the team managed during last year’s regular season (49-33). Through 78 regular season outings, 39 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 35 have gone under and just four have pushed. The team is 26-14 SU at home this year.
The Wild have converted on 20.6 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 15th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 80.6 percent of all penalties.
As a team, the Wild have been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game overall this season, 3.4 per game over their past five contests total, and 3.4 per game over their last five home outings. The team’s had to defend opposition power plays for just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 27.2 saves per game with a .917 save percentage, Devan Dubnyk (34-23-7) has been the primary option in goal for the Wild this season. If head coach Bruce Boudreau decides to give him a rest, however, Minnesota could turn to Alex Stalock (10-17-17 record, .913 save percentage, 2.76 goals against average).
Eric Staal and Mikael Granlund will each lead the offensive attack for the Wild. Staal (74 points) is up to 40 goals and 34 assists and has recorded two or more points on 17 separate occasions this year. Granlund has 20 goals and 44 assists to his credit and has recorded at least one point in 40 contests.
On the other bench, Edmonton is 34-45 straight up (SU) and has lost 17.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline this year. Through 79 regular season matches, 38 of its games have gone under the total, while 37 have gone over and just four have pushed. The Oilers are 17-23 SU as the away team this season.
The Oilers have converted on just 14.3 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s ranked 32nd in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 27th overall and it’s successfully defended 75.9 percent of all opponent power plays.
Edmonton’s skaters have been called for penalties 3.7 times per game this season, and 3.0 per game over their past five contests. The team’s been forced to kill penalties just 7.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cam Talbot (.906 save percentage and 3.06 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Edmonton. Talbot is averaging 27.3 saves per game and has 30 wins, 34 losses, and three overtime losses to his credit.
Connor McDavid (41 goals, 62 assists) has been one of the top playmaking threats for the visiting Oilers.
Edmonton Oilers vs. Minnesota Wild Free Picks
NHL Prediction: SU Winner – Wild, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Edmonton has allowed 3.2 goals per game this season, but is giving up 4.3 goals per contest over its last four games (0-4 SU over that span).
- The Wild are 20-14 SU in games where they serve more penalty minutes than their opponent while the Oilers are 15-25 SU when they spend more time in the box than the opposition.
- Minnesota is 3-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Edmonton is 4-1 in shootouts.
- The under has hit in four of Minnesota’s last five outings.
- One of the best at taking care of the puck, Minnesota is ranked 4th this season with just 6.2 giveaways per game. That figure has regressed, as it’s averaged 7.7 giveaways over its last 10 games and 7.2 giveaways over its last five.
- Edmonton skaters have averaged 7.4 giveaways over its last five home games, an improvement from its season average of 12.5 giveaways per game (ranked 29th overall).
- Edmonton skaters have accounted for the league’s third-most hits per game (26.4), but that number’s down to just 16.2 hits over their last five away games.
