Skip to main content

Oilers vs. Wild Prediction, Odds & Picks Today: Jan. 15 NHL Preview

Gary Pearson

Last Updated: January 15, 2025 12:00 PM EST • 2 min 38 sec read.

The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a goal scored by forward Leon Draisaitl as we offer our Oilers vs. Wild odds, prediction, and player props.
Pictured: The Edmonton Oilers celebrate a goal scored by forward Leon Draisaitl. Phot by Perry Nelson via Imagn Images

Wednesday's encounter between the Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT) was earmarked as a Western Conference showdown pitting Hart Trophy odds favorites Connor McDavid and Kirill Kaprizov against each other. 

Unfortunately for the Wild, Kirill the Thrill won't be thrilled, as his lower-body injury will probably prevent him from participating. He's not the only injury concern for the home underdogs, as Brock Faber and Jonas Brodin won't play, while captain Jared Spurgeon is doubtful. 

Those key absentees and the visitors' sizzling-hot form have our Oilers vs. Wild prediction and preview backing the Stanley Cup odds favorites.

Oilers vs. Wild live odds & info

  • When: Wednesday, Jan. 15
  • Puck drop: 8:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: Xcel Energy Center (Saint Paul, Minn.)
  • How to watch: TNT
  • Favorite: Oilers (-180 via Betway)

Oilers vs. Wild predictions today

NHL odds via our best NHL betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.

  • Best pick: Oilers 3-way ML (-115 via Betway) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Leon Draisaitl prop pick: Anytime goal (+115 via Betway) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My best Oilers vs. Wild pick: Oilers 3-way ML ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Like a youthful partygoer on holiday with the opportunity to buy three shots for the price of one, I can't refuse the chance to back the Oilers at -115, especially considering the unique circumstances. 

Yes, the Oilers must win in regulation, adding a degree or two of difficulty. However, the Wild, at least on paper, should be relatively tame without Faber, one of their best defenseman, their captain, and the team's indisputable most valuable player.

While there's a chance Kaprizov will play, most indications point to him losing the battle against time. 

Oilers' irrepressible form 

Edmonton has the fourth-best road points percentage (.688) since Oct. 30. You'll never guess who has the best. That honor goes to the Wild.

They are, however, far inferior on home ice, with the 18th-ranked home record, winning 11 of 21 at Excel Energy Center. Minnesota has also struggled recently in front of its fans, losing six of the previous nine. 

Le's get back to the Oilers, who have won three of the last four on their travels and humiliated the Wild 7-1 in Minnesota just over a month ago.

While I certainly don't expect the result to be that lopsided, I can't see the Wild beating the league's hottest team over the last two months without two of their best defensemen and most talented offensive threat. 

If the Oilers win in regulation, a $10 bet will profit $8.70. 

Best odds: -115 via Betway | Implied probability: 53.49%

Up To $250 First Bet Reset

Terms and conditions apply.

Play Now
Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission. 21+. Gambling can be addictive, please play responsibly

Best Oilers vs. Wild player prop pick

NHL picks made Wednesday; odds subject to change.

Leon Draisaitl prop pick: Anytime goal ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Leon Draisaitl is enjoying a career-best season in terms of goals. He leads the league with 31, four ahead of Sam Reinhart. Draisaitl hasn't scored in two games, which is tied for the longest goalless drought of his season. I know, I know. You can hardly consider two games without scoring to be a drought, no matter who you are. 

It's astonishing to think he hasn't gone three games without lighting the lamp. And Draisaitl loves playing Minnesota, at least recently. The Oilers' sniper has a goal in four straight against them, and I'm banking on him making it five. 

Best odds: +115 via Betway | Implied probability: 46.51%

Oilers vs. Wild injuries

Here are our best NHL betting sites:

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

Related pages

Written By:
Gary Pearson
Gary Pearson has written professionally since 2010, focusing on sports betting since 2014. Before entering the sports betting space, he contributed to the Canadian Press, FanSided, the Hockey Writers, the Calgary Herald, and other publications. His work has also been featured in Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report. Gary, who consumes sports like a blue whale devours plankton, has a penchant for writing predictions and analyses across several sports, including hockey, soccer, football, tennis, and more. He bets regularly, preferring single-game picks, props, and live betting. While there isn't a sport he has yet to dabble in, Gary prefers betting on soccer, hockey, and football. He studied at various post-secondary institutions, including the University of Calgary, SAIT Polytechnic, and Griffith University, located in Brisbane, Australia. Gary has a marketing degree and completed his bachelor's degree in journalism at Griffith University. He feels strongly that life experience is as essential as post-secondary education, helping formulate more accurate predictions and analyses. Gary believes that competing at a high level of amateur sports during his formative years helped him better understand an athlete's psyche and the nuances and complexities of a team's dynamic, both on and off the playing surface. He feels that knowledge is immeasurably important when offering his analytical expertise. He has lived on five continents and currently resides in Canada.