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The St. Louis Blues visit the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday, January 18, 2026 at Rogers Place, with puck drop set for 8:00 PM. The game streams on ESPN+. St. Louis comes in 19-21-8 and sitting 12th in the West, while Edmonton is 23-17-8 and positioned fifth in the conference and second in the Pacific.
This is the opener of an eight-game Edmonton homestand, and it comes with a real lineup twist. Leon Draisaitl is out on a personal leave, and the Oilers are trying to keep their offense humming without one of the league’s best finishers. St. Louis, meanwhile, is leaning into its “stingy” identity again after a couple of strong defensive results.
From a betting standpoint, the price says Edmonton should control most of this game. The matchup says it’s not that simple if the Blues can keep it low event and drag this into a one-goal third period.
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St. Louis Blues vs Edmonton Oilers Odds
These are the current betting lines, and bettors should always monitor updated numbers and late goalie confirmation. Keep an eye on the latest NHL odds leading into puck drop.
| Team | Moneyline | Puck Line | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Blues | +142 | Not listed | O 6.0 (-110) |
| Edmonton Oilers | -172 | Not listed | U 6.0 (-112) |
St. Louis Blues Betting Form
St. Louis is built to be annoying, and when they’re right, they make you earn everything inside the dots. They’ve already banked five shutouts this season, and you can see the blueprint: clog the middle, finish checks, keep the game from turning into a track meet. That plays well in this spot because Edmonton without Draisaitl is more likely to lean on McDavid-driven pace and power-play spikes instead of constant five-on-five dominance.
The problem for St. Louis is the injury pileup down the middle. Robert Thomas being out changes how they attack and how they survive long defensive shifts. They can still get there with structure and goaltending, but it shrinks their margin for error when the game opens up. Availability matters here, so monitor the St. Louis Blues injury report before puck drop.
If you want a clean snapshot of how St. Louis has been performing and what their road profile looks like lately, the Blues stats and results page is a good starting point. Betting-wise, the Blues are more interesting as a dog when the game script stays tight early, because they’re comfortable winning ugly and stealing points late.
Edmonton Oilers Betting Form
Edmonton’s case is pretty straightforward. Even without Draisaitl, they can still generate a ton of looks, and they’re the kind of team that can turn one power play into a two-goal swing if you get loose with penalties. They lead the league in power-play goals with 44, and that matters against any opponent, but especially one that wants to defend and counterpunch.
What I can’t fully pin down right now is the crease. Edmonton has been juggling a three-goalie situation, and that uncertainty isn’t nothing when you’re laying a decent-sized home price. Connor Ingram has been solid in January, but you still want confirmation before you treat this like a low-variance favorite. Availability matters here, so monitor the Edmonton Oilers injury report before puck drop, especially with Draisaitl out and Adam Henrique also sidelined.
For home splits and recent results, the Oilers schedule and stats page helps you see how often Edmonton is actually separating in games like this, not just winning them.
St. Louis Blues vs Edmonton Oilers Matchup Breakdown
This matchup is basically Edmonton’s special teams versus St. Louis’ ability to keep the game in a grinder lane. If the Blues stay disciplined and force Edmonton to score five-on-five through layers, they can hang around longer than the moneyline suggests. That’s also when the underdog starts to feel live, even if they’re getting outshot.
The flip side is obvious. If St. Louis takes penalties, Edmonton’s power play can bury them quickly. And when that happens, the Blues aren’t built to chase. Without Thomas, they’re even less built to chase. That’s why I’m paying attention to the first 10 minutes more than usual. If this starts clean and quiet, it can stay that way. If it starts chaotic, Edmonton can run away from it.
Goaltending is the other swing point. St. Louis has been getting strong play in net lately, and that’s a real reason their “stingy” script works. Edmonton’s goalie decision matters just as much because the Blues aren’t a volume offense. They need their chances to count. One early soft goal against St. Louis can unravel their whole plan.
If you like thinking about how penalties, power-play rate, and game state should shape sides and totals, the NHL betting guide is useful in spots like this. It’s a good reminder that totals around 6 often come down to special teams and empty-net math, not just five-on-five shot counts.
NHL Lines Before the Puck Drops
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St. Louis Blues vs Edmonton Oilers Predictions and Best Bets
I lean Edmonton on the moneyline at -172. It’s not the prettiest price, but the matchup edge is still there. Even without Draisaitl, Edmonton has more ways to create offense, and the power play is the difference-maker if St. Louis gives them opportunities.
The total is where I hesitate. On paper, you can argue Over 6.0 because Edmonton can score and St. Louis will have to open up if they fall behind. But St. Louis can also drag this into a low-event game if they get the first goal or if Edmonton’s five-on-five finishing looks a little flat without its usual balance. With 6 sitting right on the key number, you’re flirting with a push even if you’re “right.”
If you want a secondary angle, I’d rather consider live betting the total after seeing how the refs call it early and whether St. Louis is willing to take risks to generate offense. Pregame, I’m keeping it simple and sticking to the side.
Best Bet: Edmonton Oilers moneyline (-172).
NHL Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
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