The Edmonton Oilers (13-11-6) welcome the Detroit Red Wings (17-11-3) to Rogers Place in a high-stakes Western Conference tilt, as the Wings chase a wildcard spot with a three-game win streak, while the Oilers look to rebound from a two-game skid that has them hovering outside the Pacific playoff picture. Detroit’s opportunistic attack, powered by Dylan Larkin’s 28 points and Alex DeBrincat’s resurgence (14G), faces Edmonton’s lethal top line of McDavid-Draisaitl-Hyman (combined 62 points), but the Wings’ improved penalty kill (84.2%, 4th) could neutralize the Oilers’ league-leading power play (26.7%). With both teams’ goaltending under scrutiny—Lankinen’s .902 SV% for DET vs. Skinner’s 2.89 GAA for EDM—this matchup projects as a wide-open shootout, with Edmonton’s home magic prevailing in a 5-4 thriller.
Venue Location
Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta (capacity: 18,347). The Oilers are 7-5-3 at home this season, averaging 3.8 GPG in Edmonton, and have won five of their last seven against Central Division teams at Rogers Place.
Puckdrop: 9:00 p.m. ET. Broadcast on Sportsnet (Oilers), Bally Sports Detroit (Red Wings), and ESPN+ nationally, with radio on 790 AM (EDM) and 97.1 FM (DET).
Injury Report
Injuries are plaguing both rosters, particularly on the blue lines, forcing Edmonton to recall depth and Detroit to manage Larkin’s minutes post-tweak. The Oilers’ forward core is intact, but D woes loom; Wings’ net takes a hit with Husso out. Latest from Thursday’s morning skates:
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury | Notes |
| Red Wings | Ville Husso | G | Out (IR) | Lower Body | Sidelined since Dec. 5; 5-6-2, 3.12 GAA. Lankinen starts. |
| Red Wings | Dylan Larkin | C | Day-to-Day | Upper Body | Missed optional skate; 10G-18A, expected to play limited. |
| Red Wings | Olli Maatta | D | Out | Undisclosed | IR since Dec. 3; 1G-5A in 20 GP. Depth strain. |
| Red Wings | Ben Chiarot | D | Out | Lower Body | IR; 0G-4A in 18 GP. Return Dec. 18. |
| Red Wings | Alex DeBrincat | RW | Available | None | Full go; 14G, heating up with 5 in last 4. |
| Red Wings | Cam Talbot | G | Available | None | Backup; 6-4-1, 2.88 GAA. |
| Oilers | Darnell Nurse | D | Out (IR) | Shoulder | LTIR since Nov. 15; 2G-8A in 15 GP. Massive D loss. |
| Oilers | Evander Kane | LW | Out | Wrist | IR since Oct.; 0 GP this season. Extended absence. |
| Oilers | Troy Stecher | D | Day-to-Day | Lower Body | Limited practice; 0G-2A in 22 GP. Game-time. |
| Oilers | Connor McDavid | C | Available | None | Cleared; 8G-32A, 40 points. |
| Oilers | Stuart Skinner | G | Available | None | Starts; 9-8-3, 2.89 GAA. |
| Oilers | Leon Draisaitl | C | Available | None | Full skate; 18G-22A, team-high 40 points. |
Detroit’s D (without Maatta/Chiarot) ranks 22nd in xGA/60; Edmonton’s absences boost call-ups like Kulak.
Player Matchups
These fireworks could define the night, with Edmonton’s stars testing Detroit’s resilience:
Red Wings C Dylan Larkin vs. Oilers C Connor McDavid
Larkin (10G-18A, 28 points; 52% FO) battles McDavid’s speed (8G-32A, 40 points), the faceoff king (51% win rate). Larkin has 4 points in last three vs. EDM; McDavid’s rush (2.8 SOG/game) exploits gaps—if Larkin wins 55% draws, Wings control tempo.
Oilers C Leon Draisaitl vs. Red Wings D Moritz Seider
Draisaitl (18G-22A, 40 points) dominates net-front, facing Seider’s physicality (4G-12A, +8 rating). Draisaitl has 6 goals in last five home; Seider’s hits (1.7/game) limit centers to 1.5 points.
Red Wings RW Alex DeBrincat vs. Oilers D Evan Bouchard
DeBrincat (14G, 25% shooting) snipes from deep, drawing Bouchard’s offense (6G-18A). DeBrincat has multi-goals in 3 of 6 vs. EDM; Bouchard’s PP role (team-high 8 PPG) counters.
Oilers G Stuart Skinner vs. Red Wings Top Line (Larkin-DeBrincat-Raymond)
Skinner (2.89 GAA) faces DET’s unit (1.6 goals/game), generating 13.2 SA/game. He’s .920 in last four home; Wings’ cycle pushes 30+ shots.
Red Wings G Ville Husso (Out) Impact vs. Oilers LW Zach Hyman
Lankinen (.902 SV%) battles Hyman’s tips (12G); Hyman has 4 goals in last six. Lankinen’s rebound control tested by Edmonton’s screens.
Edmonton’s top-end talent gives them edges, but Wings’ PK frustrates.
Team Records
Detroit Red Wings: 17-11-3 (5th in Atlantic Division)
8-6-1 on road, averaging 3.12 GPG (10th) while allowing 3.02 (18th). PP 22.1% (8th), PK 84.2% (4th); +10 goal differential, 17-14 ATS.
Edmonton Oilers: 13-11-6 (6th in Pacific Division)
7-5-3 at home, averaging 3.55 GPG (3rd) while allowing 3.28 (24th). PP 26.7% (1st), PK 78.9% (24th); -5 goal differential, 14-16 ATS.
Oilers hold series tiebreaker (1-0 after 4-3 win Nov. 15).
Recent Team Forms
Detroit has won three straight (and 5-0 in last five), outscoring foes 22-11 with defensive tweaks. Edmonton has dropped two in a row (and 2-3 in last five), scoring 3.0 GPG but allowing 4.0 during the skid.
| Red Wings Last 5 Games | Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| @ TOR | Dec 9 | Away | W 4-3 | Lankinen 29/32 saves; DeBrincat 2G, 1/3 PP. |
| vs. OTT | Dec 7 | Home | W 3-2 | Lankinen .941 SV%; Larkin 1G-1A, clutch PK (4/4). |
| vs. MTL | Dec 5 | Home | W 5-2 | Husso .913 SV%; Raymond 2A, 2/4 PP rout. |
| @ VAN | Dec 3 | Away | W 4-1 | Lankinen .960 SV%; DeBrincat 1G, dominant shots 31-25. |
| vs. NJD | Dec 1 | Home | W 6-4 | Husso .882 SV%; High-event win, 3/5 PP. |
Form Notes: 5-0, outscored 22-12. Road 3-0 (+2.3 margin); PK 88% last five.
| Oilers Last 5 Games | Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| vs. MIN | Dec 9 | Home | L 3-4 | Skinner .913 SV%; McDavid 1G-2A, 1/4 PP. |
| @ SEA | Dec 7 | Away | L 2-3 | Skinner .882 SV%; Draisaitl 1G, outshot 28-26. |
| vs. LAK | Dec 5 | Home | W 4-2 | Skinner .929 SV%; Hyman 2G, 2/3 PP. |
| @ CGY | Dec 3 | Away | W 3-2 OT | Skinner .941 SV%; McDavid GWG, clutch road. |
| vs. VAN | Dec 1 | Home | L 2-6 | Pickard .806 SV%; Defensive collapse, 35 SA. |
Form Notes: 2-3, outscored 14-17. Home 1-1 (+1 margin); PP 30% last five.
Series History
All-time, Edmonton leads 61-49-8 (regular season: 58-46-8 for Oilers), with a 30-24-4 home record against Detroit. The Oilers won the most recent 4-3 on Nov. 15, 2025 (Edmonton), behind McDavid’s hat trick. Detroit has taken two of the last four (average 6.5 goals/game), including a 5-4 OT win on Mar. 27, 2025. In Edmonton, Oilers are 30-24-4 all-time, winning the last three home games (4-3, 6-3, 5-2 in 2024). Overs have hit in eight of 10 (average 6.8 goals), with PP goals in 70%. This is the second of three meetings this season.
Betting Trends
Moneyline: 73% bets/79% handle on Oilers (public on home fave). Oilers 12-8 SU as -160+ faves; Wings 5-7 SU road dogs.
Puck Line: 61% bets on Wings +1.5 (value), 63% handle on Oilers -1.5 amid EDM’s 6-3 home cover streak. Wings 8-5 ATS road.
Total: 65% bets on Over 6.5 (84% handle), as eight of 10 series over and combined 6.40 GPG. Under in five of Oilers’ last eight home.
Key Trends: Wings 5-0 SU last 5; Oilers 3-7 SU last 10. Sharps on Wings +1.5.
Game Odds
Detroit Red Wings 6.5
Edmonton Oilers – 198
NHL Game Preview: Detroit Red Wings (17-11-3) vs. Edmonton Oilers (13-11-6)Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 10, 2025
