4) Can Oilers overcome horrific history versus the Wild?
You almost need to do a double-take when considering the Oilers’ all-time record versus the Wild. In fact — dare we say it — it’s actually wild how poorly they’ve fared against the Minnesota-based team.
Of every team the Oilers have ever faced, their win percentage versus the Wild is second-lowest in franchise history. They’ve only performed worse against the Boston Bruins.
It’s been particularly galling of late for the Oilers, when facing the Wild. Consider that they’ve lost nine of the previous 10 games versus them.
Highlighting this dominance by the Wild, was the last game played between these two teams earlier this season. It couldn’t have come at a worse time for the Oilers, who entered the contest with just one win in five games to begin their 2023-24 campaign.
The Oilers were actually holding their own for the first two periods in Minnesota. They entered the final 20 minutes with a 3-2 lead, albeit it was a tenuous advantage.
In this respect, the Oiler completely fell apart during the last period at Xcel Energy Center. They hemorrhaged five goals and went on to lose 7-4.
If the Oilers are to find any consolation, it’s that they won their last meeting against the Wild in Edmonton. On the night they took the game 5-2.
However, the reality is that even playing at Rogers Place doesn’t make that much difference, with the Oilers losing the three games at home prior to the 5-2 win. If they were ever going to conquer their bogey team, Friday, Dec. 8 would be an ideal time.