Game Details
Puckdrop is scheduled for 8:30 PM ET
Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Broadcast: The game will be available on ESPN+, NHL Network, and regional broadcasts like Bally Sports or Sportsnet, with live coverage on platforms like NHL.tv and radio affiliates.
The Edmonton Oilers (22-16-7) visit the Chicago Blackhawks (19-19-7) in a Central Division clash at United Center. Edmonton, sitting second in the Pacific, aims to extend their dominance over Chicago, having won nine of the last 10 meetings while outscoring them 40-27. The Oilers’ offense ranks among the league’s best, averaging 3.5 goals per game, led by Connor McDavid’s league-leading production. Chicago, sixth in the Central, has shown flashes of improvement with Connor Bedard’s return from injury, but their defense has allowed 3.2 goals per game recently. Key storylines include McDavid’s pursuit of another scoring milestone and Chicago’s young core testing Edmonton’s veteran depth in a potential high-scoring affair.
Recent Team Forms
Edmonton has been solid, going 3-1-1 in their last five with a focus on offensive firepower, outscoring opponents 15-12. Chicago has struggled more, posting a 2-2-1 record while being outscored 14-13, but they’ve won five of their last six overall in some stretches, showing home resilience (10-9-3 at United Center).
| Team | Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Oilers | Jan 10, 2026 | vs Los Angeles Kings | Loss | 3-4 |
| Oilers | Jan 8, 2026 | @ Calgary Flames | Win | 4-2 |
| Oilers | Jan 6, 2026 | vs Vancouver Canucks | Win | 5-1 |
| Oilers | Jan 3, 2026 | @ Seattle Kraken | Loss (OT) | 3-4 |
| Oilers | Jan 1, 2026 | vs Anaheim Ducks | Win | 4-1 |
| Blackhawks | Jan 10, 2026 | vs Nashville Predators | Win | 3-0 |
| Blackhawks | Jan 8, 2026 | vs Washington Capitals | Loss | 1-5 |
| Blackhawks | Jan 6, 2026 | @ St. Louis Blues | Win | 7-3 |
| Blackhawks | Jan 3, 2026 | vs Detroit Red Wings | Loss | 2-4 |
| Blackhawks | Jan 1, 2026 | @ Minnesota Wild | Loss (OT) | 2-3 |
Injury Report
Edmonton’s blue line is thinned with Jake Walman practicing but questionable, while Adam Henrique remains out. Chicago deals with illnesses affecting their goaltending and defense, but Connor Bedard is back and fully cleared. Monitor day-to-day players, as several participated in morning skates.
Edmonton Oilers:
Jake Walman (D): Day-To-Day (Lower Body) – Estimated Return: Jan 12, 2026 (practiced, game-time decision)
Adam Henrique (F): Out (Undisclosed/IR) – Estimated Return: Post-Olympic break (Feb 2026)
Tristan Jarry (G): Out (Lower Body) – Estimated Return: Late January 2026
Chicago Blackhawks:
Spencer Knight (G): Day-To-Day (Illness) – Estimated Return: Jan 12, 2026
Arvid Soderblom (G): Day-To-Day (Illness) – Estimated Return: Jan 12, 2026
Louis Crevier (D): Day-To-Day (Illness) – Estimated Return: Jan 12, 2026
Shea Weber (D): Out for Season (Ankle) – Estimated Return: Oct 2026
Ryan Ellis (D): IR (Undisclosed) – Estimated Return: TBD
Key Player Matchups
Edmonton’s high-powered offense meets Chicago’s rebuilding core, with McDavid’s speed challenging Bedard’s creativity. The Oilers’ power play (33.87% efficiency) could exploit Chicago’s penalty kill (78%). Goaltending favors Edmonton’s Stuart Skinner (.915 save percentage) over Chicago’s backups if illnesses persist.
Connor McDavid (Oilers C) vs. Connor Bedard (Blackhawks C): McDavid’s elite production (30 goals, 48 assists) against Bedard’s rookie surge post-injury (20 points in 20 games).
Leon Draisaitl (Oilers C) vs. Philipp Kurashev (Blackhawks C): Draisaitl’s scoring (63 points) vs. Kurashev’s two-way play in containing Edmonton’s second line.
Zach Hyman (Oilers LW) vs. Seth Jones (Blackhawks D): Hyman’s net-front presence (18 goals) tested by Jones’ physical shutdown (averaging 24 minutes).
Evan Bouchard (Oilers D) vs. Taylor Hall (Blackhawks LW): Bouchard’s offensive blue line (25 assists) vs. Hall’s veteran speed.
Stuart Skinner (Oilers G) vs. Petr Mrazek (Blackhawks G): Skinner’s consistency vs. Mrazek’s if cleared, or backups amid illnesses.
Series History
Edmonton holds a dominant recent edge, going 9-1-0 in the last 10 meetings, outscoring Chicago 40-27. All-time, Chicago leads 84-74 in 178 regular-season games, but Edmonton has won three straight and five in a row at United Center. In playoffs, the Oilers lead 3-2 in series. Games average 6.7 combined goals recently, with the over hitting in 8 of the last 13 matchups.
Betting Trends
Edmonton opened as -170 favorites, settling at -173, implying a 63% win probability. The over/under is 6.5, with the over at -104 (hitting in 52% of Edmonton’s games). Edmonton is 20-17 as favorites and 7-3 ATS in their last 10, while Chicago is 12-15 as underdogs but 3-2 ATS in their last five.
Game Odds
Edmonton Oilers – 162
Chicago Blackhawks 6.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, January 11, 2026
