The Edmonton Oilers are set to host the Utah Hockey Club on March 18, 2025, as both teams vie for important points with playoff aspirations on the line. The matchup will take place at Rogers Place at 9 p.m. ET, where the Oilers, favored at -148 on the moneyline, aim to solidify their spot near the top of the Pacific Division.
Currently, the Oilers boast a record of 39 wins and 24 losses, and are second in the Pacific Division standings with 82 points, trailing the Vegas Golden Knights by just four points. They have shown promise recently, winning their last two games and performing well since the NHL's 4 Nations Face-off break. Overall, Edmonton has gone 5-3-0 during this stretch, showing resilience after suffering five consecutive losses before the break.
The game is particularly pivotal for the Utah Hockey Club, who with 30 wins, 26 losses, and 11 overtime losses, are currently positioned ninth in the Western Conference with 71 points. They are just two points behind the Vancouver Canucks, who occupy the eighth and final playoff spot. After obtaining substantial gains from their recent victories, including a 3-1 win against Vancouver just prior to facing the Oilers, the Utah team appears motivated to push for playoff contention.
The Utah Hockey Club has shown marked improvement over the past month, going 6-3-2 post the 4 Nations Face-off break, and are 9-5-2 since early February. The Oilers and Utah have faced off twice already this season, with Edmonton winning both encounters—a 4-3 OT victory on November 29 and 4-1 on December 31.
Throughout 2024-2025, the Oilers have established themselves as a formidable offensive team, ranking tenth for scoring with 3.19 goals per game. Their powerful offense includes notable players like Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid, who rank second and fourth among the NHL's top scorers, respectively. Draisaitl has amassed 101 points (49 goals, 52 assists) and has points in 18 consecutive games, marking his fourth straight 100-point season. McDavid, with 86 points (25 goals, 61 assists), complements the Oilers' attack greatly.
Keeping their scoring of high episodic action through their stellar power play, which ranks fifth at 26.1%, has been instrumental to the Oilers’ success. Defenseman Evan Bouchard, contributing to this effort with 53 points, also ranks fourth among NHL defensemen.
On the other side, the Utah Hockey Club has showcased their own rising stars recently, such as rookie Logan Cooley, who scored the game-winner against Vancouver, giving him 48 points on the season. The young player is displaying strong offensive potential, cementing himself as one to watch during the matchup with Edmonton.
The play of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins could be central to Edmonton's success as well. He has recently rejuvenated his performance, registering five points across his last six games. Notably, he's scored points in seven of his last ten home outings. Nugent-Hopkins' scoring contributions allow him to navigate through the opposition's forward lines more adeptly, offering important depth to the Oilers' offense.
While Utah’s defense has been solid, surrendering 2.91 goals per game on average, they must be wary of the barrage of offensive firepower from Edmonton. Utah is currently ranked 14th in goals allowed and will have to rely on their strong unit to limit the Oilers' goal-scoring opportunities.
Despite the odds favoring Edmonton—with Utah currently at +124 on the moneyline—the stakes are high for both teams. A win for the Oilers could bring them closer to the division lead, whereas the Utah Hockey Club aims to break through the playoff barrier by closing the gap on Vancouver.
With the tension of the playoffs drawing near, this pivotal match-up promises excitement on the ice as both teams try to solidify their aspirations. The Oilers have their home ice advantage, and the Utah Hockey Club will have to muster all their resources to redeem themselves from previous defeats against Edmonton. Fans tuning in will certainly expect fireworks as these teams square off with futures on the line.
