The Oilers have scored 20 goals in their last three wins overall. Edmonton is trying to make a playoff run just like they did in 2006, when they captured the final spot in the West and rode it all the way to the Stanley Cup finals. The Oilers have won five of six and are 7-1 ATS against defensive opponents like Minnesota allowing 29.5 or more shots on goal in the second half of the year this season.

“The bottom line is that it could be anybody that falls,” Oilers coach Craig MacTavish said of the West playoff race. “These are tough games. If somebody goes on a stretch in the last five games where they only win a game, then even the top teams are vulnerable. It’s unlikely but this whole thing has smacked of unlikeliness right from the outset. Something strange is going to happen.”

Andrew Cogliano had two goals Monday, and Curtis Glencross, Dustin Penner and Kyle Brodziak also scored for Edmonton. Cogliano, a rookie center, has 11 goals and 13 assists in his last 29 games, and three goals and an assist in his last three versus the Wild. His strong play has helped spark the Oilers’ surge. “We have a lot of young guys and they are playing unbelievable,” Edmonton goaltender Dwayne Roloson said. “They are playing like veterans. It’s a breath of fresh air when we come in here and they are all excited.” Edmonton is now 8-3 off a win.

Minnesota (40-28-9, 40-37 ATS), which trails in the Northwest Division by a single point, will likely need to finish atop the division to secure home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. Minnesota remains in a battle for home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Wild’s edge over the Edmonton Oilers at Xcel Energy Center may help their cause.

Losers of two straight, the Wild look to extend their six-game home winning streak against the Oilers when the Northwest Division rivals conclude a home-and-home series Wednesday night. Having lost to Edmonton, the Wild are returning home after losing the final two games of a four-game road trip, finishing 1-2-1(1-3 ATS) on the swing. They have lost three of four overall and given up five goals in each of their last two games.

Goals from Nick Schultz, Sean Hill and Todd Fedoruk weren’t enough for Minnesota on Monday. The Wild also went 0-for-4 with the man advantage for the second straight game even though Eric Belanger and Mark Parrish were back on the ice. The Wild is 18-8 ATS in home games after allowing five goals or more.

Sportsbook.com has Minnesota as -200 home favorites to extract revenge over the Oilers, with total of Ov5. Besides the home winning streak over Edmonton, the Wild is 17-8 ATS after playing two consecutive road games this season. Bettors liking Minnesota on the money line, will like the fact Edmonton is 2-16 ATS on the road after playing two consecutive home games. Conversely, those liking the +170 potential payout of backing the Oilers, have to be excited about them being10-3 ATS after two straight wins by two goals or more.

This Northwest Division battle starts at 8 Eastern.

 

 

ANTHONY GIORNALISTA, STATS Writer contributed to this article.