After a few solid seasons with little playoff success, many saw the 2023-24 campaign as a chance for the Minnesota Wild (26-24-6), but unfortunately they’ve failed to life up to any expectations, and if they don’t turn things around soon, they’re in major danger of missing the playoffs altogether.
In this one they’ll face the stiff test of the Edmonton Oilers (33-18-2), whose star studded roster has been performing well in recent times, and with a top spot in the Western Conference up for grabs over the last few months of the season, this is a team to watch out for as the Stanley Cup Playoffs arrive.
Can the Wild get two points closer to a Wild Card spot?
The Minnesota Wild’s season has been an absolute rollercoaster as of late, but with eight wins in their past 12 games, they find themselves sitting at 26-24-2, putting them just four points behind both the Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference. On the road this year, the Wild have struggled to a 12-13-2, and with a -13 goal differential on the season, they’ve not yet found their consistency, and with many injury issues heading into the trade deadline, unless they swing big, the 2023-24 year may ultimately be a disappointing one.
Leading the way this year for Minnesota is superstar forward Kirill Kaprizov with a solid 59 points in a 49-game injury riddled campaign, and in net they’ve seen some solid performances, with their two main starters combining for a 3.15 GAA and an .896 save percentage. Last time out for the Wild was a tough loss to the Winnipeg Jets on the road, with two goals to Marco Rossi keeping it close, but with Marc-Andre Fleury allowing five goals in 29 shots, they ultimately fell by a score of 6-3.
Can the Oilers continue their fantastic run?
As of late, there’s been no team in the NHL better than the Edmonton Oilers, and while they’ve put together four wins and four losses since their 16-game winning streak, it’s enough to have them at 33-18-2 on the year, just two points behind the Vegas Golden Knights for second place in the Pacific Division. At home this season, Edmonton have been utterly fantastic, tallying a 17-6-2 record in 25 games played, and with their goal differential sitting at +34 and rising more and more by the day, if this team can make a splash or two at the trade deadline, there may be no team in the West better set up for a deep run.
Leading the way this year for the Oilers is unsurprisingly Connor McDavid, who is having another ridiculous season with 64 assists and 85 points in just 51 games played, with their goaltending improving mightily in recent times as Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have combined for a 2.57 GAA and a .906 save percentage. Last time out for the Oilers was an overtime thriller against the Boston Bruins with Ceci, McDavid, Foegele and Hyman all tallying two points each on the night, but unfortunately, the sixth goal allowed from Skinner was the dagger for the 6-5 victory from the Bruins.
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Full-Game Side Bet
Rating:
Despite the regular season success of both these teams in recent times, it’s the Minnesota Wild that have the massive edge in this head-to-head rivalry, shockingly winning eight of their past 10 meetings.
However, the Edmonton Oilers have won their past two meetings in Edmonton by a combined score of 9-5, so no matter who comes out on top, it’s bound to be a fun, close affair, but expect the home team to continue rolling in this one.
Prediction: Edmonton -1.5
Full-Game Total Pick
Rating:
On paper, a Calvin Pickard (likely as the Oilers play Saturday vs. the Calgary Flames in the Battle of Alberta) vs. Marc-Andre Fluery goaltender battle isn’t the most appealing one, and given the over is 6-3-1 in their past 10 head-to-head encounters, expect much of the same in this one.
For the Wild, the over is just 4-6 in their past 10 overall games, with their past two games combining to see 26 goals scored, and for the Oilers, the over is 6-4 in their past 10 games, with their past five games seeing an average of 10 goals scored, so expect this one to be full of offensive fireworks.
Keep it simple, take the over.
Prediction: Over 6