Oilers vs Wild Prediction, Odds & Projected Starting Goalies (Thursday, Dec. 12)

• The Edmonton Oilers (16-10-2) visit the Minnesota Wild (19-5-4) on Thursday Night Hockey
• We’ve made our Oilers vs Wild prediction for Thursday, December 12, 2024
• Read below for Oilers vs Wild prediction and odds for tonight’s game on ESPN+

The red-hot Edmonton Oilers (16-10-2) head to the Xcel Energy Center to battle the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Wild (19-5-4) in a Thursday night showdown on December 12, 2024. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:30 PM Eastern Time, with coverage provided by ESPN+ and Hulu.

The Oilers enter as -140 road favorites, while the over/under has ticked up to 6 goals at some books. Can Edmonton’s dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl solve Minnesota’s stingy defense?

Here is our Oilers vs Wild prediction for Thursday Night Hockey.

Oilers vs Wild Prediction

I’m backing the over 5.5 goals in what should be a fast-paced, entertaining affair between two of the NHL’s hottest teams. Edmonton has won six of its last seven games overall, while Minnesota has an identical 6-1-0 mark during that same span.

Both squads are playing with immense confidence right now, especially offensively. The Oilers rank 16th in goals per game (3.00) and have scored four or more goals in four of their last six contests. Edmonton’s power play is also starting to heat up after a slow start to the season.

The Wild, meanwhile, sit 12th in scoring (3.21 goals per game) and have potted 19 goals over their current five-game point streak (4-0-1). Minnesota’s balanced attack features 10 players with at least 11 points, led by superstar Kirill Kaprizov’s 18 goals and 25 assists.

Every player with 15+ goals and 25+ assists this season:

— Kirill Kaprizov

Hart favorite? pic.twitter.com/P1e4rNGx2j

— StatMuse Hockey (@statmusehockey) December 10, 2024

While both teams excel defensively at even strength, their penalty kills have some holes. Edmonton ranks 26th (73.1%) and Minnesota sits 29th (71.6%) in PK percentage, so a few power plays for either side could open the floodgates.

It’s also worth noting thar that these teams tend to bring out the best in each other offensively. Three of the last four Oilers-Wild meetings have featured six or more total goals, including a 5-3 Minnesota victory back on November 21.

This game has all the makings of a 4-3 or 5-3 type of result with two explosive offenses trading chances. Take the over 5.5 in what should be a wildly entertaining tilt.

Thursday NHL Pick:

• Over 5.5 Goals (-130 at ESPN Bet)

Oilers vs Wild Odds

Edmonton is currently a -140 moneyline favorite, meaning a $140 bet on the Oilers would return a $100 profit with a victory. Minnesota checks in as a +120 home underdog, offering a potential return of $120 on a $100 wager.

The Oilers are +170 to cover the -1.5 puck line, which means they must win by two or more goals to cash that bet. Conversely, the Wild are -215 to stay within 1.5 goals, so Minnesota backers would win $100 on a $215 bet if the Wild either win outright or lose by a single goal.

The total sits at 5.5 goals, with the over juiced to -130 and the under coming back at +110. This suggests oddsmakers believe we’re in store for a high-scoring, back-and-forth type of game. Keep an eye on the line movement, as the total has already been bet up to 6 at some shops.

Odds courtesy of ESPN Bet as of December 12, 2024.

Oilers vs Wild Projected Starting Goalies

Here’s a look at the expected starting goaltenders for Thursday’s Oilers vs Wild matchup:

Edmonton Oilers: Stuart Skinner (10-7-2, 2.81 GAA, .895 SV%)
Skinner has seized the reins as Edmonton’s go-to guy between the pipes. The 26-year-old is fresh off a stellar 19-save performance in a 2-1 win over the Lightning and has been locked in lately, posting a sizzling .947 save percentage and 1.41 GAA over his last four starts.

However, the Wild have been a thorn in Skinner’s side thus far in his young career, as he’s gone just 2-2-0 with a bloated 3.04 GAA and pedestrian .900 save percentage against them.

Minnesota Wild: Filip Gustavsson (14-4-3, 2.08 GAA, .927 SV%)
Gustavsson has been an absolute revelation for Minnesota since coming over from Ottawa. The 26-year-old Swede has been a brick wall in the blue paint, ranking near the top of the league leaderboard in both GAA and save percentage.

Guuuuuuuss 🚌

Filip Gustavsson stops all 39 shots and picks up the eighth @pepsi shutout of his career! pic.twitter.com/5zsj15wT90

— NHL (@NHL) November 28, 2024

Gustavsson is rolling right now, with a 6-1-1 mark in his last eight starts and two goals or fewer allowed in seven of those appearances. He’s also owned the Oilers in his brief career, going a perfect 2-0-0 with a tidy 3.00 GAA and .915 save percentage.

While both netminders have excelled lately, they’ll be tested early and often in this contest. Expect high shot totals on both ends, with Gustavsson getting the slight edge due to his larger sample size of success and Minnesota’s superior team defense.