Rogers Place will be hosting an intriguing tilt as the Nashville Predators head north to face the Edmonton Oilers. The match gets started at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 14, and fans at home can see this Western Conference matchup live on Sportsnet West.
Nashville Predators at Edmonton Oilers Odds
Nashville (-115) is currently the favorite over Edmonton (-105), and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 7 goals (-120 for the under, +100 for the over).
Netting 2.5 units for moneyline bettors, the Oilers are 24-23 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That early-season winning percentage is a welcomed improvement compared to how the team performed during last year’s regular season (35-47). Through 47 regular season outings, 23 of its games have gone over the total, while 22 have gone under and just two have pushed. The team’s 10-11 SU at home this season.
Edmonton enters the matchup with the second-best power-play unit in the NHL, as the team has found the net on 29.3 percent of their extra-man advantages this season. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked ninth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.7 percent of all penalties.
Edmonton, as a collective unit, has been penalized just 3.3 times per game overall this season, and 1.8 per game over its last five contests home outings. The team’s had to kill penalties for just 6.8 minutes per game over its last 10 outings, overall.
Averaging 27.9 saves per game with a .910 save percentage, Mikko Koskinen (14-13-2) has been the best option in goal for the Oilers this season. If the Oilers decide to give him a rest, however, head coach Dave Tippett could turn to Mike Smith (10-14-14 record, .900 save percentage, 3.01 goals against average).
The Oilers will continue seeking leadership via Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. McDavid (71 points) has produced 25 goals and 46 assists and has recorded multiple points 19 times this year. Draisaitl has 25 goals and 45 assists to his name and has notched a point in 38 games.
Nashville has lost 11.9 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 21-23 straight up (SU). 28 of its outings have gone over the total, while 16 have gone under the total and none have pushed. As an away team, Nashville is 11-11 SU so far.
Nashville has converted on just 17.0 percent of its power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s ranked 24th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it’s successfully defended 74.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Nashville’s skaters have been penalized 3.9 times per game in total this season, 4.4 per game over their past five games total, and 4.2 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to kill penalties 9.6 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Pekka Rinne (.895 save percentage and 3.02 goals against average) has been the main option in goal for Nashville. Rinne is averaging 23.8 saves per game and owns a 15-12-3 record.
For the visiting Predators, the offense will be heavily coordinated by Roman Josi, who’s got 32 assists and 14 goals this season.
Nashville Predators at Edmonton Oilers Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Predators, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- The total has gone under in three of Edmonton’s last five outings.
- Nashville’s attempted 33.8 shots per game overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 34.4 in its last 10 outings.
- Penalties and power plays could prove to be even more critical than usual in this matchup. The Predators are 12-7 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 13-15 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 minutes, total. The Oilers are 12-7 when the team serves fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 18-16 in games where their penalty minutes are in the single digits.
- Nashville is 1-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Edmonton is 2-1 in shootouts.
- Edmonton skaters have managed 9.6 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.3 takeaways per game (ranked 8th in the NHL).
- Nashville has managed 7.0 takeaways per game over its last five road games, a drop-off from its season average of 8.2 takeaways per game (ranked 10th overall).
- Edmonton may hold the upper hand if it’s a tight one late. The team’s 11-8 in games decided by one goal, while Nashville is 6-10 in such games.
