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Predators vs. Oilers Prediction and Odds (Fade Nashville's Slumping Defense)

By Iain MacMillan

The Predators head to Edmonton to take on the Oilers in Thursday night NHL action.
The Predators head to Edmonton to take on the Oilers in Thursday night NHL action. / Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports
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The Nashville Predators are riding a three-game winning streak into Edmonton tonight as they get set to take on the stumbling oilers. The Preds sit in second place in the Central Division, but will need to keep winning to hold that spot as the Blues, who are just two points behind them, have two games in hand on Nashville.

The Oilers were one of the top teams in the Western Conference in the first couple months of the seaosn, but have since completely fallen off the cliff. They have two Hart Trophy contenders in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but yet can't put anything together and have dropped all the way down to sixth place in the weak Pacific Division. On a positive note, they've won two-straight games heading into tonight.

Let's take a look at the odds via WynnBET for tonight's Western Conference showdown.

Predators vs. Oilers Odds and Total

Moneyline:

  • Predators -105
  • Oilers -115

Puck line:

  • Predators +1.5 (-240)
  • Oilers -1.5 (+195)

Total:

  • 6 (Over -115/Under -105)

Predators vs. Oilers Betting Trends

  • The OVER is 10-4 in the Predators' last 14 games.
  • The OVER is 5-0 in the Predators' last five road games.
  • Oilers are 5-1 in their last six games vs. Predators.
  • Oilers are 2-7 in their last nine games.

Predators vs. Oilers Prediction and Pick

A big reason why I was betting on the Predators quite often in the early parts of the season, was that they were one of the top defensive teams in the NHL. That has not been the case in recent weeks. Over their last 10 games, they rank 21st in high danger scoring chances against, and they have an expected goals against per 60 minutes of 3.09, which ranks 24th in the NHL.

That's not going to fly against a team that boasts the type of potent offense that the Oilers have. If you give McDavid and Draisitl chances to score, they're going to take advantage of them.

These are still two teams that are a bit tough to figure out, but if I was going to wager my own money on this matchup, I'd be looking at the Oilers as small favorites at home.

Lean: Oilers -115

Iain is 17-14-1 (+2.74 units) with his NHL picks in 2022. You can see his detailed record here.