Two teams squaring off for the second time this season, the Nashville Predators and the Edmonton Oilers clash at Rogers Place. The match gets underway at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 8, and fans at home will be able to catch this Western Conference matchup live on Sportsnet 360.
Nashville Predators vs. Edmonton Oilers Odds
With a -115 moneyline, Nashville enters the contest as the narrow favorite. The line for Edmonton sits at -105, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 7 goals. The odds for betting the total sit at -120 for the under and +100 for the over.
The Oilers are 28-26 straight-up (SU) and have netted 3.0 units for moneyline bettors this year. That winning percentage, ranked 2nd in the Pacific Division in this young season, is a welcome improvement over the 35-47 record from the 2018-19 season campaign. Of its 54 games this season, 27 have gone over the total, while 24 have gone under and just three have pushed. The team is 13-13 SU at home this year.
Edmonton currently touts the second-strongest power-play unit in the NHL, as it has scored on 28.8 percent of their extra-man opportunities this year. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked sixth overall, and it’s successfully killed off 82.9 percent of all penalties.
As a collective unit, Edmonton has been penalized 3.5 times per game overall this season, and 4.8 per game over its last five games. The team has been forced to stave off opponent power plays for a whopping 16.6 minutes per game over its last five outings, overall.
Boasting a .909 save percentage and 27.1 saves per game, Mikko Koskinen (16-15-2) has been the principal goalkeeper for the Oilers this season. If they, however, decide to give him the night off, Edmonton may turn to Mike Smith (13-15-15 record, .899 save percentage, 3.00 goals against average).
Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid will each be offensive focal points for the Oilers. Draisaitl (83 points) has tallied 29 goals and 54 assists and has recorded multiple points on 25 separate occasions this year. McDavid has 30 goals and 50 assists to his name and has notched a point in 39 contests.
In the other locker room, Nashville is 26-27 straight up (SU) and has lost 12.2 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far. A total of 31 of its matches have gone over the total, while 21 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. Nashville’s 15-12 SU as the visiting team this season.
Nashville has converted on just 17.0 percent of its power play chances this year, a figure that’s ranked 25th in the NHL. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 26th overall and it’s successfully killed off 75.0 percent of all penalties.
Nashville’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.8 times per game this season, and 3.1 per game over their past ten outings. The team’s had to defend opponent power plays just 6.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Pekka Rinne (3.01 goals against average and .898 save percentage) has been the main option in goal for Nashville. Rinne is averaging 24.7 saves per game and has 17 wins, 15 losses, and three overtime losses to his credit.
Roman Josi (14 goals, 39 assists) has been one of the most vital offensive playmakers for the visiting Predators.
Nashville Predators at Edmonton Oilers Free Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Predators, O/U – Over
Betting Notes
- Nashville is 2-3 in games decided by a shootout this season while Edmonton is 2-2 in shootouts.
- Nashville has attempted 33.5 shots per game overall this season (the second-most in the NHL), and 31.6 in its last 10 outings.
- Four of Nashville’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 0-4 in those games.
- Nashville skaters notched 18.7 hits per game last season, while the Oilers accounted for 26.7 hits per matchup.
