Minnesota Wild vs Edmonton Oilers Picks and Predictions December 12th 2024

Oilers and Wild Set for a High-Stakes Showdown in Saint Paul

The Edmonton Oilers and the Minnesota Wild, two teams riding impressive hot streaks, are gearing up for a pivotal clash on Thursday night in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Both squads have won six of their last seven games, setting the stage for a matchup that serves as a measuring stick for two of the NHL’s most competitive teams.

Oilers Aim to Prove Themselves

The Oilers, known for their star power and explosive offense, view games like this as critical tests of their mettle.

“It brings a certain amount of energy and focus when you’re going up against big teams,” said goaltender Stuart Skinner. “It kind of tells you where we are as a team. A lot of lessons learned and a lot of moments where we can see what we’re capable of.”

Edmonton showcased a different side of their game on Tuesday, grinding out a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Leon Draisaitl, the league leader in goals with 20, emphasized the importance of winning low-scoring, defensive battles.

“We’ve got to be able to win games like (that one); 2-1, 3-1, games like that,” Draisaitl said. “It was certainly a good benchmark for us as to how we want to play these games and get them over the finish line.”

Minnesota’s Record-Breaking Pace

The Wild, meanwhile, have been a model of consistency, compiling one of the league’s best records with 42 points throughMaster your next wager with tips from this sports betting guide. their first 28 games. They are on pace for a 123-point season, which would obliterate the franchise’s previous record of 113 set in the 2021-22 campaign.

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Leading the charge for Minnesota is Kirill Kaprizov, who has been nothing short of sensational. With 43 points (18 goals, 25 assists) in 27 games, Kaprizov is a key reason why the Wild have been so dominant. His versatility and vision on the ice have earned him early-season MVP buzz.

“He’s such a special player,” said teammate Jared Spurgeon. “The skill you see, but just the work ethic he has, too, just going into battles. He can play physical when he wants to, as well. There’s not many people like him that can see the game he does.”

Goaltending Duel: Gustavsson vs. Skinner

Both teams boast capable netminders who will play pivotal roles in Thursday’s matchup. Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson is expected to start. He has been stellar this season, posting a 14-4-3 record with a 2.08 goals-against average (GAA) and a .927 save percentage. In two career games against Edmonton, Gustavsson is undefeated with a .915 save percentage.

The Oilers are likely to stick with Stuart Skinner, who stopped 21 of 22 shots against Tampa Bay. Skinner holds a 10-7-2 record with a 2.81 GAA and an .895 save percentage this season. His performance against the Wild has been mixed, with a 2-2-0 career record and a 3.04 GAA.

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If Edmonton opts to rest Skinner, Calvin Pickard may get the nod. While Pickard’s career numbers against Minnesota (2-4-0, 2.80 GAA, .909 save percentage) are less impressive, he offers a reliable alternative.

What to Watch For

This matchup is more than just a regular-season game—it’s a battle of contrasting styles. The Oilers, powered by the dynamic duo of Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid (38 points each), will look to outscore the opposition, while the Wild rely on their defensive structure and Kaprizov’s brilliance to control games.

With both teams in excellent form, Thursday night’s game promises to be a high-energy, closely contested affair that could serve as a playoff preview. Fans can expect intensity, skill, and a glimpse at two teams determined to make deep postseason runs.