Vladimir Tarasenko, Ryan O’Reilly, and the St. Louis Blues will face off against Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place in a Western Conference tilt. The match gets going at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, December 18, and it is being televised live on Sportsnet ONE.
St. Louis Blues vs. Edmonton Oilers Odds
Oddsmakers have not yet posted moneyline or Over/Under odds for this matchup.
Edmonton is 18-16 straight-up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 2.7 units this season. That winning percentage, the third-best in the Pacific Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 36-46 record from last year’s regular season campaign. Of its 34 games this season, 14 have gone under the total, while 14 have gone over and just three have pushed. The team’s 10-5 SU at home this year.
The Oilers have converted on 20.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 26th overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 76.4 percent of all penalties.
Averaging 27.3 saves per game with a .928 save percentage, Mikko Koskinen (11 wins, six losses, and one OT loss) has been the top goalkeeper for the Oilers this year. If head coach Ken Hitchcock chooses to rest him, however, Edmonton could turn to Cam Talbot (7-11-11 record, .894 save percentage, 3.22 goals against average).
In the other locker room, St. Louis is 12-19 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.6 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 31 regular season matches, 16 of its games have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. The Blues are 4-8 SU as an away team this season.
The Blues have converted on 21.6 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 10th overall and it’s successfully killed off 82.4 percent of all penalties.
Jake Allen (.897 save percentage and 3.23 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for St. Louis. Allen is averaging 25.2 saves per game and has 10 wins, 15 losses, and four OT losses to his credit.
St. Louis Blues at Edmonton Oilers Betting Predictions
NHL Pick: SU Winner \u2013 Oilers, O/U \u2013 Under
Betting Trends
- 38.9 percent of Edmonton’s wins have come by two or more goals (the team is 7-12 overall in games decided by at least two scores) while 66.7 percent of St. Louis’ wins have come by two goals or more (8-10 overall in games decided by at least two goals).
- The Blues are 5-9 in games where they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 6-10 when they’re in the box for fewer than 10 penalty minutes, total.
- Edmonton might hold an advantage if it’s a tight one late. The team’s 11-4 in games decided by one goal, while St. Louis is 4-9 in such games.
- The total has gone over in four of St. Louis’ last five games.
- St. Louis has averaged 7.8 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 6.7 giveaways per game (ranked fourth overall).
- Edmonton skaters have averaged 17.4 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 12.1 giveaways per game (ranked 26th in the NHL).
- The Oilers this season have registered the seventh-most hits in the NHL (25.6 per game), but the team’s averaged 33.8 over their past five home games.
