Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled then offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. Today we are looking at the game between the Edmonton Oilers vs. Utah Hockey Club. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Edmonton Oilers vs. Utah Hockey Club
Time: 9:00 p.m Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: SNW, TVAS, Utah16; ESPN+
The Edmonton Oilers (11-9-2) visit the Utah Hockey Club (9-10-3) for the first time in both franchises history. This is the first of three games between these teams this season, and the only game that will be played in Utah. Last season the Oilers went 1-1-1 against this team when they were formally known as the Arizona Coyotes. Will they start with a win against the new Utah Hockey Club tonight?
Oilers Head Out on Three-Game Road Trip
The Oilers will be looking to string some wins together as they head to Utah for their first game of a three-game road trip. They have been very inconsistent this season so far, only winning three games in a row once. If they want to climb back into the playoff picture they will need to find that winning formula in quickly. Two areas that could really help would be special teams and goaltending. These are two key ingredients for any team to be successful.
The Oilers power play is an inexplicable 27th in the league at just 15.8%. Even without Zach Hyman for the last few games that is inexcusable for a team with so much firepower. Their penalty kill is an even worse 30th in the league at 70.9%. If Edmonton could get both units into the top-15 in the league they would be in a playoff spot. The goaltending hasn’t been able to save them either giving up 3.14 GA/GP, tied for 20th with Utah. Both goalies have a sub .900 SV%, a number the Edmonton coaching staff would love to see improve. With back-to-back games Friday/Saturday it will be interesting to see who starts between Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard in Utah.
Unexpected Faces Helping Utah
Utah has won only four of their last ten games entering tonight. However, two players have been standout performers during that stretch. The first player is goaltender Karel Vejmelka. While only 3-6-0 on the year his individual numbers are up amongst the top goaltenders in the league. He has a 2.25 GAA and .922 SV% in the eleven games he has seen action in. In five of his last six starts he has faced 28 or more shots including facing 50 against the Carolina Hurricanes earlier in the month. He has only allowed more than two goals twice in that stretch giving Utah the chance to win even if the offence isn’t helping him out.
The second player is forward Jack McBain. He has six goal over the last ten games and has scored in three straight entering tonight. As colleague Joseph Calabrese outlines in his piece, McBain has grown from being a bottom-six forward. He is now getting an opportunity on a line with up and coming offensive catalyst Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther. He will look to continue giving Utah some unexpected scoring punch tonight against the Oilers.
Prediction
Even with Karel Vejmelka putting up quality numbers in the Utah crease he could be in for a long night against an Oilers team looking for a breakout. Utah is coming back from an East Coast road trip and still have a defence core that is depleted. This will make it tough to slow down Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Even with it’s struggles look for the Edmonton power play to get on the board against a Utah team only killing off 77.4% of their penalties. While Zach Hyman and Viktor Arvidsson may still be out of the lineup this has the feeling of an Oilers statement game.
Prediction: Oilers win 6-2
Prop Bets of The Night
We wrap NHL predictions up with some prop bets of the night. This has the makings of McDavid having a big night. Take him to record 2+ points. Draisaitl should join in on the fun too. He is +130 as an anytime goal scorer on FanDuel Sportsbook. If you parlay Draisaitl as an anytime goal scorer with the Oilers winning the odds are +225.
Main photo by: Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images
Please play responsibly, check for your local rules and age restrictions, some jurisdictions require ages 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
