Game Details
Puckdrop is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET.
Venue: Canada Life Centre, 300 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3C 5S4, Canada. This 15,321-capacity arena, opened in 2004, is the home of the Winnipeg Jets and known for its intimate seating and passionate “Whiteout” fan base during playoffs. Located in downtown Winnipeg, it features modern amenities like high-definition video boards and often provides a significant home-ice advantage in cold-weather, defensive-minded games.
Recent Team Forms
The Oilers are on a hot streak with offensive explosions, while the Jets have alternated wins and losses but shown resilience in close games. Here’s a breakdown of their last five games (most recent first):
Edmonton Oilers (4-1 in last 5; streak: W3):
Win 4-2 vs. Seattle (Jan 6; Connor McDavid 2 goals, Leon Draisaitl 3 assists).
Win 5-3 at Vancouver (Jan 4; power play 3-for-5).
Win 4-3 OT vs. Calgary (Jan 1; comeback OT winner).
Loss 2-4 at Los Angeles (Dec 30; outshot 35-28).
Win 6-2 vs. San Jose (Dec 28; offensive outburst). Edmonton has averaged 4.6 goals per game in this stretch while allowing 2.8, with a +9 goal differential. Road form is strong (3-2 in last 5 away), driven by McDavid’s playmaking (10 points in 5 games).
Winnipeg Jets (2-3 in last 5; streak: L2):
Loss 1-4 vs. Toronto (Jan 6; Connor Hellebuyck 28 saves but offense managed only 1 goal).
Loss 2-3 at Minnesota (Jan 4; close but defensive lapses late).
Win 5-4 OT vs. Dallas (Jan 1; OT winner after tying late).
Win 4-3 vs. Ottawa (Dec 30; power play 2-for-4).
Loss 2-5 vs. Colorado (Dec 28; outscored 0-3 in third). Winnipeg has averaged 2.8 goals per game recently while allowing 3.8 in losses. Home form is middling (2-3 in last 5 at Canada Life Centre), with a 22% power-play rate.
Series History
The Oilers hold a slight all-time edge over the Jets, leading 38-35-3 in 76 regular-season meetings (including Atlanta Thrashers era). Edmonton has won 6 of the last 10 games, with an average total of 6.1 goals per game.
Previous Meeting (2025-26 Season): October 28, 2025 – Oilers 4-3 OT (at Rogers Place, Edmonton). McDavid scored the OT winner in a high-scoring thriller.
Other Recent Games: December 30, 2024 – Oilers 5-2; March 3, 2025 – Jets 3-2. The series often features offensive fireworks (average margin 2.2 goals in last 5), with the over hitting in 7 of 10 recent matchups. Home teams are 6-4 in the last 10, and Winnipeg has won 3 of 4 at Canada Life Centre against Edmonton.
Injury Report
Injuries are affecting both teams’ depth, with the Oilers missing defensive pieces and the Jets dealing with forward absences. Updates as of January 8, 2026 (morning report; subject to change):
Edmonton Oilers:
Viktor Arvidsson (LW): Out – Lower Body (IR; expected back Jan 15; scoring winger sidelined).
Darnell Nurse (D): Day-to-Day – Upper Body (questionable; if out, impacts top pair; missed practice Jan 7).
Troy Stecher (D): Out – Undisclosed (IR; depth defender missing). Edmonton’s blue line is thinned without Nurse (if he sits), forcing more minutes on Evan Bouchard.
Winnipeg Jets:
Ville Husso (G): Out – Undisclosed (IR; backup goalie sidelined, Hellebuyck starts).
Nikolaj Ehlers (LW): Out – Knee (IR; expected back late January; key winger absent since December).
Nate Schmidt (D): Day-to-Day – Lower Body (probable; depth D expected to play). Winnipeg’s offense is impacted without Ehlers, shifting load to Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele.
Key Player Matchups
This inter-conference matchup pits high-powered offenses against vulnerable defenses, with goaltending likely the difference in a projected high-scoring game.
Connor McDavid (EDM, C) vs. Connor Hellebuyck (WPG, G): McDavid (team-high 25 goals, 35 assists) thrives in open ice; Hellebuyck (.915 SV%) must make key saves to contain Edmonton’s rush.
Leon Draisaitl (EDM, C) vs. Josh Morrissey (WPG, D): Draisaitl (22 goals) dominates the slot; Morrissey’s mobility and shot-blocking could limit him.
Kyle Connor (WPG, LW) vs. Evan Bouchard (EDM, D): Connor (18 goals) brings sniping; Bouchard must use his offensive instincts to counter while defending.
Goaltending: Stuart Skinner (EDM, .910 SV%) vs. Connor Hellebuyck (WPG, .915 SV%) – Hellebuyck’s home form could be pivotal.
Betting Trends
Edmonton Oilers: 22-21 ATS overall; 10-11 ATS on the road. Overs have hit in 7 of last 10 (offensive streak), and as favorites, 15-8 SU but 12-11 ATS. 4-1 ATS in last 5.
Winnipeg Jets: 18-24 ATS; 9-12 ATS at home. Unders in 6 of last 10, but as underdogs, 6-15 SU and 9-12 ATS. 2-3 ATS in last 5.
Head-to-Head Trends: Over in 7 of 10 (avg. 6.1 goals); Oilers 6-4 SU in last 10, but underdogs 5-5 ATS. Home teams 6-4 ATS recently.
League-Wide: NHL overs cashing at 55% in inter-conference games; road favorites like Edmonton are 57% ATS this season.
Game Odds
Edmonton Oilers – 115
Winnipeg Jets 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 7, 2026
