The Edmonton Oilers enter tonight’s home matchup vs. the Minnesota Wild treading water at 4-4 SU since the All-Star break and are going with backup Calvin Pickard in net with a big provincial battle with the Flames on deck tomorrow.
With some wide-open games between both of these clubs of late and the Wild boasting an offense that can go toe-to-toe with a healthy Edmonton lineup, is Minnesota at +150 the best value in a game where possibly no lead is safe?
I break down the NHL odds and offer my free NHL picks for Wild vs. Oilers for Friday, February 23.
Wild vs Oilers odds
Wild vs Oilers predictions
When I’m looking for a good plus-money underdog to back, there are a few things I need in order to put my money on it. An offense like the Minnesota Wild's that has 26 goals over its last six games is one of them.
Yes, they put up 10 of those goals in one game, but this Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and Joel Eriksson Ek line has been unstoppable of late with 38 total points over that six-pack of contests. The Wild are 5-2 SU over their last seven games and fighting hard for a playoff spot while sitting four points out.
This is an offense that can overcome its issues in net. It also gets an Edmonton Oilers team starting its backup goalie, has a massive rivalry game on deck tomorrow, and has been an inconsistent .500 team since losing its historic winning streak following the All-Star break.
Edmonton was down 4-1 to Boston on Wednesday before mounting a comeback and eventually losing in overtime. They beat up one of the worst teams in hockey in Arizona and won in OT vs. Dallas before that, and played a pair of high-scoring matchups prior.
Since the return to play, Edmonton has given up 32 goals over seven games and has allowed at least three goals in each of those matches. Because of the Oilers' looser play, the Wild at +150 on the moneyline is a great way to bet this game.
The Wild have also been one of the best third-period teams in hockey, having won the 3P moneyline in 23 of their last 31 games. Meanwhile, 15% of Edmonton’s losses this year have come when leading after two periods.
Both teams have offenses that can come back from big deficits and neither team has a decent edge in net with Filip Gustavsson likely facing Pickard. However, only one team is paying +150 to win the game. Over the last 10 games, these two teams look identical with 13 points each and a similar goal differential.
My best bet: Wild moneyline (+150 at Sports Interaction)
Wild vs Oilers same-game parlay
Wild +1.5
Wild team total Over 2.5
Oilers team total Over 2.5
This is an easy way to boost the odds for a game that projects like a 3-3 one to me, and both teams to score thrice is priced at +130. Pickard has been good but regression is coming, and the Oilers have allowed three goals and scored three themselves in five straight games.
Both offenses can score in bunches and with Calgary on deck tomorrow for the favorites, Minnesota could come out of the first period with a lead.
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Wild vs Oilers moneyline and Over/Under analysis
The Wild opened as +165 dogs at SIA, moved to +160 around 10 a.m. ET, and then got even shorter after noon to as low as +150.
It’s an interesting move as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins returned to practice, and his participation is worth around 10 points as bettors saw on Wednesday when he missed the game. So, that’s putting even more money on the Wild.
It’s a tough spot to take the Oilers at this inflated price. I don’t trust either goalie in this matchup, both offenses are great, and Edmonton is working through some things after a historic winning streak. If Boston wins 5-1 vs. Edmonton on Wednesday, this price might be shorter for the Wild. That isn’t a stretch as Boston held a 4-1 lead halfway through that game.
The Wild have taken eight of the last 10 meetings and the two games this year both hit the Over, with Edmonton winning 4-3 at home in December and the Wild taking a 7-4 decision in Minnesota back in October.
The wins aren’t coming as easy for the Oilers as they were in December and January, while the Wild’s offense can keep them in any game.
I’d be very surprised if this game didn’t result in both teams scoring three goals (+130). It’s a prop that has hit in five straight Edmonton games and in back-to-back games for the Wild. Pickard vs. Gustavsson is an Over bettor’s dream.
Wild vs Oilers betting trend to know
The Wild have hit the 3P Moneyline in 23 of their last 31 games (+14.20 Units / 32% ROI). Find more NHL betting trends for Wild vs. Oilers.
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Wild vs Oilers game info
| Location: | Rogers Place, Edmonton, AB |
| Date: | Friday, February 23, 2024 |
| Puck drop: | 9:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | BSWIX, BSNX |
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