Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled and offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. Today, we are looking at the game between the Edmonton Oilers vs. Nashville Predators in this round of NHL Predictions. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Edmonton Oilers vs. Nashville Predators
Time: 8:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
TV: Sportsnet West, HULU, ESPN+
This is an important October game for both sides. Each teams records’ have given their respective fan bases a scare early in the season. The Oilers enter this matchup with a record of 4-5-1, while the Predators will be looking to improve upon their 3-5-1 record. This is the second of three games between Edmonton and Nashville this season. The Oilers won in Nashville 4-2 earlier in October. Collecting points early in the season is just as important as in March and April. Who knows, maybe by the time the playoffs roll around the points earned in this game are the difference between who is playing for the Stanley Cup.
Oilers Playing Without McDavid
The Oilers had a rough game versus the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night. The game was an embarrassment, 6-1 on the scoreboard. To make matters worse, Connor McDavid sustained an injury to his left leg or foot, and will subsequently be out two-to-three weeks. It had to be like watching a horror movie for Edmonton and their fans. The good news is that the worst-case scenario seems to have been avoided. Expect Leon Draisaitl to carry the load with McDavid sidelined. He owns Nashville, scoring 20 goals in the 21 games he has played against them.
Edmonton only won one of the six games that their captain missed last season, so Draisaitl can’t be the only Oiler to step up in his absence. Many of the Oilers other top forwards will need to start finding the back of the net. Zach Hyman is still goalless through his first ten games. Not to be outdone, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has only one goal. Meanwhile, offseason additions Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson have only found the back of the net twice, both Skinners’. Those four, combined with Draisaitl, can still form a potent top-six forward group if they can start playing up to their standard. A big reason for the lack of production is due to a power play coming off a historical season converting at only 13.8% this season so far. The Oilers will have to find a way to improve that number even without McDavid. Starting in Nashville the offence will be expected to keep the Oilers in the playoff conversation until #97 returns.
Predators Starting to Pickup Points
After starting the season 0-5-0, the Nashville Predators have gone 3-0-1 since. This game against the Oilers is the first of a three game homestead for the Preds. Usually a haunted house for foes, Nashville is only 2-4-0 at home so far this season. A slow start maybe shouldn’t come as a surprise with Nashville trying to incorporate all the new big additions. The fact that it took the Predators six games to register their first win did come as a surprise however. It lead to both Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault speaking out on their teams early season performance. The chemistry between them and the rest of the forward group seems to be forming slower than anticipated leading to Nashville only averaging 2.56 goals/game. Compounding the Predators scoring woes former Norris Trophy winning defenceman Roman Josi has yet to score, managing only five assists in nine games. The offence has improved in recent games, so the hope is that trend can continue.
Another reason for Nashville’s slow start has been the play of their all-star goalie Juuse Saros. He was a little banged up in camp which seems to have contributed to his play to begin the season. He finally got his first win against Boston, shutting them out 4-0. If he can rediscover his Vezina calibre form the Predators will become the team many people expected before the season started. Saros was in net when the Oilers beat the Predators early in the season, he will be looking for revenge in this game.
NHL Predictions
It gets late early in the NHL. American Thanksgiving is quickly approaching. That date is often a good predictor of playoff teams come the end of the season. Both Edmonton and Nashville are on the outside looking in heading into this game, increasing it’s importance. Can either offence get going? The one that finds a way to make a bigger impact might just be the one that helps get their team the two points.
Prediction: Predators win 3-2 in overtime
Prop Bets of The Night
With Leon Draisaitl’s career statistics against Nashville expect him to have a big night. He is +850 to score 2+ goals on FanDuel Sportsbook. A parlay of Draisaitl as an anytime goal scorer and the Predators winning has odds of +419.
Main Photo Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
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