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Pre-Scout: Predators wrap up homestand against an Oilers team that has their number
Jan 11, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators celebrates the win against the Washington Capitals during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Photo credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Michael Menzies
Jan 13, 2026, 12:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 13, 2026, 13:14 EST
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Déjà vu all over again. 
Just a week ago, the Edmonton Oilers gave the Nashville Predators a home beatdown in a 6-2 victory. Now they renew hostilities with the Mayor of Smashville Leon Draisaitl, returning to municipal politics and slinging pucks in Tennessee. 
The Preds are 2-1 in the three games of the Oilers sandwich, beating the New York Islanders 2-1 in the shootout, getting shutout to the Chicago Blackhawks 3-0, and then defeating the Washington Capitals 3-2 on Sunday. 
Roman Josi scored a goal and two assists, Steven Stamkos popped in one and a helper, and Justus Annunen made 30 stops en route to victory on the second of a back-to-back. 
“It just felt like one of those games where it was just up for grabs,” said Stamkos. “They pushed a little, we pushed a little. They got a power-play goal, we got a power-play goal. It was just one of those games where, obviously, a back-to-back for us, we just had to find a way in the third.” 
Despite winning two of three, the Preds have only scored four goals in those games (the shootout doesn’t count), and only one of those goals was even-strength. Two of the goals were power play. The other was shorthanded. 

Olympic aspirations

Nashville is well represented at the upcoming Olympics, part of the European contingent that will compete for the gold medal. 
Juuse Saros and Erik Haula will represent Team Finland, Roman Josi will don the Team Switzerland jersey, and captain Filip Forsberg will be a big part of Team Sweden. 
Forsberg has twice won gold at the World Championships in 2012 and 2018, but the Olympics is a whole ‘nother beast. 
“It’s something I’ve been dreaming about as long as we’ve been watching it since I was a little kid,” said Forsberg about the opportunity. “The last two opportunities have been taken away from us for different reasons, and I’m really excited that hockey is back and I get to be a part of it.”
One day, Forsberg will be the franchise’s leading scorer, as he sits 32 points back of teammate Josi, but is the best and most consistent forward this team has ever had.  
While his point pace isn’t as hot as the last two years, Forsberg’s potted 16 goals and 32 points on the campaign. 

Big spot

This game wraps up a four-game homestand for the Preds, as their next three games go through the teeth of the Western Conference, going to Colorado on Friday night and Vegas on Saturday. 
Edmonton controlled the game against Nashville on January 6, having a distinct advantage in High Danger Scoring Chances 17-8 at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick. With powerplays included, it was 23-8 for the Oilers. 
Connor McDavid scored a hat-trick, and Leon Draisaitl had a goal and two assists. 

Notes:

  • Jonathan Marchessault hasn’t played since December 17 and remains day-to-day. Could the Preds get another piece back for tonight? 
  • Stamkos scored his 233rd career power-play goal on Sunday, moving him past Dino Ciccarelli (232) for 10th in League history.
  • Nashville’s record at home: 12-10-2. 
  • Brady Skjei had a particularly tough night against the Oilers last time, with a 20.44 expected goals for percentage (out of 100). 
  • Skjei signed a 7-year, $49 million contract last off-season as an offensive defenceman, but his offence is drying up. He’s scored one goal with 13 points, well back of his pace of 33 points last season, which was already a distinct step backward. 
  • Draisaitl vs Nashville: 28 goals, 51 points, in 30 games. That includes 26 points in the last 10 games alone. 
  • The Oilers are 8-1-1 against the Preds straight up in the last 10 games. Going further back, EDM is 7-1-2 in their last games at the Preds. Their last regulation loss in Nashville was January 9, 2018. 

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