The Edmonton Oilers (6-4-3) face the St. Louis Blues (3-7-2) Monday. Puck drop from Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, is set for 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NHL odds around the Oilers vs. Blues odds and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
2024-25 series: Edmonton won 3-0
The Oilers went to overtime for the second straight game Saturday but came away with a 3-2 winner against the Chicago Blackhawks. They were -276 faves as the Under 6.5 hit. C Leon Draisaitl tallied his ninth goal (tied for fourth in NHL) of the season. D Evan Bouchard sent the fans home happy 2:43 in overtime with his second of the season. C Connor McDavid had 3 assists, which is tied for third in the league.
The Blues have lost 7 straight games after a 3-2 defeat at the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday. They were +126 dogs as the Under 6.5 hit. They aren’t as far away as their record suggests. They’ve really been haunted by poor puck management, defensive zone turnovers and injuries. Leading-goal-scorer, LW Jake Neighbours is out at least another month with a lower-body injury. There is good news, though, as top C Robert Thomas (upper body) was back on the first line at morning skate Monday. He has been out since Oct. 25.
Oilers at Blues odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:02 p.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML): Oilers -135 (bet $135 to win $100) | Blues +110 (bet $100 to win $110)Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Oilers -1.5 (+170) | Blues +1.5 (-210)Over/Under (O/U): 6 (O: -125 | U: +105)Oilers at Blues projected goalies
Stuart Skinner (4-3-2 2.52 GAA, .900 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Jordan Binnington (2-4-2, 3.21 GAA, .860 SV%)
There’s a chance backup Calvin Pickard goes here. He hasn’t played since last Sunday. Skinner has been OK, but he has let 3+ goals in 6 of 9 starts. He was in net Saturday against Chicago, stopping 27 of 29 in the 3-2 win. Skinner went 2-0-0 with a 1.97 GAA and .925 SV% in 2 starts against St. Louis last season.
Binner’s numbers are ugly, and he’ll tell you he could play better. But a lot of what has ended up behind him was a result of missed defensive assignments that left a guy wide open in the slot or turnovers that led to breakaways. He stopped 15 of 18 in Thursday’s shootout loss to Vancouver. Binnington was 0-2-1 with a 3.69 GAA and .867 SV% in 3 starts against the Oilers last season.
Oilers at Blues picks and predictionsPrediction
Blues 4, Oilers 3
Money is flying in on the BLUES (+110) as their line continues to come back toward even. They’ve lost 7 straight, they’re getting their best player back and are desperate. I’m buying in and think Binnington and the Notes find a way.
There’s no play here. Instead, and it’s juice-laden, I’ll take CONNOR MCDAVID UNDER 3.5 SHOTS (-185). He has just 3 goals on the season and has 3 or fewer shots in 10 of 13 games thus far. He had just 3 SOG in 3 games against St. Louis last year as Thomas defends him well.
The Blues are 8-4-1 O/U this season, and the Oilers are 6-6-1. Frankly, I’m surprised this one isn’t 6.5 and probably will be by puck drop — especially if the Oilers go with Pickard.
Take OVER 6 (-125).
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