St. Louis Blues @ Edmonton Oilers - December 7, 2024

As we gear up for the clash between the St. Louis Blues and the Edmonton Oilers at Rogers Place, there are several intriguing statistical trends to consider that could shape the outcome of this matchup.

The Oilers enter this game as -208 moneyline favorites, reflecting their recent form and offensive prowess. They’ve averaged 2.9 goals per game with a solid shooting percentage of 8.6%. Their offensive zone presence is noteworthy, with over 57% of their plays occurring in the attacking zone. This indicates they can generate quality scoring chances consistently.

However, while Edmonton’s offense has been effective, their power play success sits at only 19.4%. They average less than half a power play goal per game (0.44), suggesting that even when they have opportunities with an extra man, they don’t convert as often as one might expect from a high-octane team like them.

On the other side of the ice, we have St. Louis, who has struggled offensively compared to Edmonton. The Blues are averaging just 2.5 goals per game with a shooting percentage slightly higher at 9.7%, but their overall shot volume is concerning; they average under 27 shots per game. This lack of offensive pressure will be crucial against a team like Edmonton that can capitalize on defensive lapses.

Defensively, both teams show some interesting numbers as well. The Oilers boast an impressive save percentage of 88.5%, indicating strong goaltending performance despite some struggles on the penalty kill (73%). In contrast, St. Louis has been slightly better defensively with a save percentage of 89.6% and a more effective penalty kill rate at 79%.

When looking at recent performances, both teams have shown resilience in their last five games—Edmonton is riding high with four wins and has scored heavily during this stretch while St. Louis also boasts four wins but has had mixed results regarding total scores in relation to betting overs and unders.

Given these stats and trends leading into Saturday’s matchup, I predict that while Edmonton may take home the win due to their superior offensive capabilities and current momentum—St. Louis should manage to cover the spread given their recent form and ability to keep games close.

Regarding totals for this matchup, it seems prudent to lean towards an UNDER outcome considering both teams’ scoring averages combined don’t suggest an explosive output; especially since St.Louis tends to limit high-scoring affairs recently by keeping games tighter defensively.

In summary: Expect Edmonton to secure victory tonight against St.Louis; however anticipate that the Blues will cover due largely in part because they know how important every point is right now amidst playoff positioning discussions—and look for this contest’s total score staying below expectations based on each team’s recent performances!