The New York Islanders will face the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday in what could be a high-scoring game in the NHL. With Edmonton’s elite offense led by the league’s top point producer and a streaking Islanders squad that has been pouring in the goals, this could be a matchup to remember on the ice. Before it begins, I’ve got you covered with my Islanders vs Oilers prediction for Thursday.
Our Islanders vs Oilers Pick
| Pick: | |
| Confidence: | 3/5 |
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: New York Islanders vs Edmonton Oilers
- Date & Time: Thursday, January 15, 2026, 9:00 PM ET
- Venue: Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta
- Broadcast: ESPN+
Key Storylines
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The Islanders are coming off a high-scoring 5-4 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, a game that featured defensive breakdowns but also offensive output from the Isles. New York has a 3-2 record in its last five games and it has scored at least three goals in all five of those contests. Edmonton’s last game was a 5-4 loss to the Winnipeg Jets. Edmonton is also 3-2 over its last five games and will try to get back into the win column in this matchup at home.
Goaltending
Ilya Sorokin has been solid for the Islanders, posting a reliable save percentage and keeping his team competitive in most games he appears in. Sorokin’s ability to track pucks and make crucial saves has been one reason New York remains in games late. For Edmonton, Calvin Pickard will likely see his workload increase with Tristan Jarry recently active but coming off an injury and without extensive recent reps. Pickard has shown shot-stopping ability, but his numbers leave plenty to be desired for the Oilers of late.
Key skaters
On offense, Edmonton’s Connor McDavid continues his MVP-caliber season with an extended point streak and a league-leading total in scoring. Leon Draisaitl has also been dynamic, contributing greatly to the Oilers’ offense. For the Islanders, Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee are among the forwards who can change the game on any shift, while defenseman Ryan Pulock contributes offensively from the back end. New York’s scoring depth can challenge Edmonton’s top-line firepower, but it might be hard for either team to dig in defensively here.
Betting Trends & H2H
- The Islanders defeated the Oilers 4-2 on Long Island in their first meeting of this season.
- The Oilers are 27-19 to the over so far this season.
- The under is 24-22 in games involving the Islanders going into Thursday night.


