Edmonton Oilers vs Nashville Predators: NHL Predictions, Odds & Best Bets

The Nashville Predators are still searching for their first win of the season after adding all these offseason pieces, but will that come at home tonight against the Edmonton Oilers? The Stanley Cup Runner Ups are dealing with a bit of an early season hangover, as they lost three straight to start the season and were outscored 15-3 in the process. However they are coming off their first win in overtime against the Flyers at home, as this is actually the start of Edmonton’s first roadtrip of the season, and thus their first game on the road tonight.

Who Will Turn Things Around?

Nashville has not been it, despite all the hype surrounding the team this offseason. The Predators are off to an 0-3-0 start and are still searching for not only their first win, but also their first points of the season. They have been outscored 14-6 this season, and have already lost twice at home. Can they bounce back tonight and find a way to win?

While Stuart Skinner and Juuse Saros are expected in net, neither have been more than mediocre this season. Skinner is 1-2-0 on the season, allowing nearly 5.5 goals per game and saving just 84.5% of shots faced this season. He’s only seeing about 24 shots per contest, so straight up, he needs to perform better. Especially considering the back up, Calvin Pickard saves just 78% of shots faced and allowed 5 goals to the Blackhawks when he subbed in.

Saros hasn’t been better. He sat out the first game, and is still banged up with an injury even though he’s started the last two. Saros is allowing 4.20 goals per contest and saving a career worst, 85.5% of shots. Now it’s still early, but he’s seen 27.5 shots per game, and the Oilers fire almost 32 times on net per contest. Whether Saros or Scott Wedgewood is between the pipes, they will certainly earn their money tonight.

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Edmonton Oilers vs Nashville Predators: Can Preds Finally Win?

Saros is saving just 85.5% of shots faced this year

Matchup Information – Oilers vs Predators

• Venue & Location: Bridgestone Arena (Nashville, TN)
• Date: Thursday, October 17th, 2024
• Puck Drop: 8:00pm Eastern
• Broadcast: ESPN+

Betting Odds

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Puck Line

• Oilers -1.5 (+220)
• Predators +1.5 (-260)

Money Line

• Oilers -108
• Predators -104

Total

• Over 6.5 (-106)
• Under 6.5 (-110)

Can Edmonton Excel on the Road?

Zach Hyman does not have a point yet this season

The Oilers need to turn things on. They’ve been getting outscored all season, something they’re not used to, and have had to deal with questionable goaltending. Lucky for them, the Predators are going through some similar early season struggles.

Tonight I really like the over. I don’t think both goalies fix their problems tonight, and there is a very high chance that we see Wedgewood between the pipes for Nashville. The Oilers absolutely pepper the net, the Predators have been struggling to stop opponents from doing just that, and I expect a bunch of high danger chances for Edmonton tonight. But, I think they only come from the top line.

So far, the McDavid-Draisaitl-Hyman line has been responsible for 7 of the teams 20 points this season, and 2 of the 7 goals. And Hyman hasn’t even contributed yet!! I can see him breaking out tonight, especially playing with that duo on the ice, and like I said, I think both teams are able to produce goals.

The Predators simply haven’t gelled as a unit yet. They are still figuring out how to play together with all their new pieces, but they are still scoring 3 goals per game at home. We have a high total for a reason, especially with Skinner not playing his best so far this year. Give me both teams to find the back of the net and have plenty of chances, but as for my coin, I’ll be taking a chalky player prop, but getting the most bang for our buck.

Edmonton Oilers vs Nashville Predators Best Bets

Draisaitl comes alive against the Predators

Oilers vs Predators Prediction: No Side, Over 6.5: 5-4 Oilers (+1800), 5-4 Predators (+2000)

Best Bets: Leon Draisaitl 2+ Points (+159) BetOnline

As always, do your line shopping because I’ll advise, this is priced +220 elsewhere. Regardless, Draisaitl gets it done for us, like he always does against the Predators, especially in Nashville. As far as a side goes, I can’t lean one way or the other, but I do think we see goals. Draisaitl has 3 points on the season and is coming off his first multipoint game of the season, which I think he can replicate tonight.

Over the last 5 season, Draisaitl has faced the Predators 14 times. I know, this Nashville team has a completely different look, but the numbers are still worth looking at. In those 14 games, Draisaitl has 23 goals, 14 assists, and multiple points in 11/14 contests. He’s averaging 2.64 points per game against Nashville, with that number jumping to 3.00 on the road.

When he’s in Nashville, Draisaitl tears it up. Over those last 5 seasons, the Oilers have played the Predators in Bridgestone Arena seven times. In those games, Draisaitl has 15 goals and 6 assists, with multiple points in 6/7 contests. Shop around as always, but I don’t mind putting a half unit sprinkle on this.

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