{"id":481156,"date":"2026-01-03T08:04:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T13:04:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=481156"},"modified":"2026-01-02T22:48:03","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T03:48:03","slug":"nhl-predictions-philadelphia-flyers-edmonton-oilers-january-3rd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2026\/01\/03\/nhl-predictions-philadelphia-flyers-edmonton-oilers-january-3rd\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Predictions: January 3rd Philadelphia Flyers vs Edmonton Oilers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to another NHL Predictions. Each day, here at\u00a0Last Word On Hockey<\/em>, we provide in-depth analysis, insights, and predictions for NHL games. For this edition, we will look at the Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> taking on the Edmonton Oilers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

NHL Predictions Philadelphia Flyers vs Edmonton Oilers<\/h2>\n

2025-26 Season Series:<\/strong> Oilers 1-0 Flyers<\/p>\n

How to Watch<\/a>:<\/strong> NBC Sports Philadelphia, Sportsnet, ESPN+<\/h3>\n

Time:<\/strong> 3:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)<\/p>\n

Location:<\/strong> Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta<\/p>\n

Oilers’ Storylines<\/h3>\n

The Oilers come into 2026 with a mixed bag of results in December. Just when it appeared the back-to-back Wednesday Conference champions were figuring things out with a 6-2-1 record to open the month. However, they finished December going 3-3-0 in the final six games, including a lopsided 6-2 loss on New Year’s Eve in their last game.<\/p>\n

While the usual suspects are returning to their typical pace of production, there are still questions about the defence and goaltending. Recently-acquired netminder<\/a> Tristan Jarry<\/a> is out with injury, and defenceman Jake Walman<\/a> remains out as well. In goal, that’s put everything on the shoulders of Connor Ingram<\/a> and Calvin Pickard<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Of course, there’s always the Connor McDavid<\/a> effect. McDavid has been on an absolute tear lately, with points in 14-straight games. He has 34 points in that time, including 13 of his 24 goals on the season. Leon Draisaitl<\/a> is never far behind that level of production. Draisaitl has 26 points in the last 14 games.<\/p>\n

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Connor McDavid's hometown highlight-reel tally in Toronto as part of a 6-3 #Oilers<\/a> victory is the GameSense Play of the Month for December!https:\/\/t.co\/dViOE8ySnt<\/a> | #LetsGoOilers<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/j8NCkZkx89<\/a><\/p>\n

— Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) January 2, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n