Edmonton will look to right the ship against the Nashville Predators following Monday’s 6-1 loss to the Blue Jackets, but they’ll have to do so without captain Connor McDavid, and sportsbooks view them as the underdog as a result.
Oilers vs. Predators Odds
- Edmonton Oilers Moneyline: +105
- Nashville Predators Moneyline: -125
- Puck Line: Oilers +1.5 (-225), Predators -1.5 (+185)
- Game Total: 6.5 (Over +100, Under -120)
Odds courtesy of Sports Interaction.
Matchup
Nashville is one of only three teams below the Oilers in the Western Conference standings, though the Predators have a game in hand. While not a divisional matchup, both teams may be contending for a wild card spot based on their season starts. The Oilers have an 8-2 record against the Predators in their last 10 meetings, including a 4-2 win in Nashville on Oct. 17. This game marks their second meeting of the season, with the final matchup set for Nov. 14.
Check out Daily Faceoff to get updates regarding the line combinations and goaltenders for today’s game.
Handicapping the Oilers (4-6 SU, 2-8 ATS, 3-6-1 O/U)
With McDavid sidelined for the next two to three weeks, the Oilers are facing more games without their superstar than they have in any of the past eight seasons.
Since his rookie year, McDavid has missed no more than six games in a season, but Edmonton has 10 games scheduled over the next three weeks. Already struggling to produce offensively—having scored two or fewer goals in 60 percent of games—losing McDavid will only add to their challenges.
Ideally, McDavid’s absence would lead to breakouts from other players, but past performance suggests otherwise; the Oilers have scored two or fewer goals in five of the eight games McDavid has missed since 2021-22.
Although Edmonton has the lowest shooting percentage in the NHL and could be due for some luck, there’s no guarantee. With a below-average defense and inconsistent goaltending, it’s hard not to feel like the sky is falling.
Handicapping the Nashville Predators (3-6 SU, 3-6 ATS, 4-5 O/U)
Nashville added two 40-goal scorers in the offseason in Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, yet scoring has not improved. In fact, the Predators are netting one fewer goal per 60 minutes at five-on-five compared to last season. While expected goals paint a decent picture, they’re still generating fewer quality chances than in 2023-24.
Goaltender Juuse Saros has been mostly reliable, aside from a tough game against Seattle. According to Evolving Hockey, Saros ranks ninth in goals saved above expected, but both he and backup Scott Wedgewood place near the bottom of the league in five-on-five goals saved above expected, ranking 66th and 67th out of 71 goaltenders.
Although the Predators suffered an overtime loss to the Lightning in Steven Stamkos’ emotional return to Tampa Bay, they’ve earned points in four straight games after starting the season 0-5. However, they remain tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for last in the Central Division, showing they still have ground to cover.
Nashville now has three consecutive home games against Edmonton, Colorado, and Los Angeles before entering a stretch where they’ll play 20 of their next 29 games on the road.
My Best Bets
Nashville sits middle of the pack in shot suppression, so while Edmonton may struggle to convert, they should find opportunities to get pucks on net. With that in mind, here are a a couple of short props worth considering for Thursday.
Mattias Ekholm Over 2.5 Shots (+115) at Sports Interaction
Ekholm has already proven a solid bet to hit over 2.5 shots on goal at positive odds, achieving this in five of his first 10 games. Now elevated to the top power-play unit, he’s even more likely to hit three shots, especially as his odds remain relatively unchanged. Only Jeff Skinner and McDavid have more shots on goal than Ekholm this season, making him a strong candidate to step up in McDavid’s absence.
Evan Bouchard Over 2.5 Shots (-167) at Sports Interaction
Bouchard has been relentless in shot attempts, leading the team with 80. However, as Tyler Yaremchuk pointed out, only 39 have qualified as unblocked and 28 have reached the net. Nonetheless, he’s hit three or more shots on goal in six of his last seven games, and with McDavid out, Bouchard is likely to continue firing at a high rate.
