Edmonton Oilers vs. Nashville Predators Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 31st 2024

Preview and Prediction

The Edmonton Oilers are getting ready to move forward without their star player for the time being.

Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators are hoping to put their early struggles behind them.

With Connor McDavid sidelined, the Oilers will try to secure another win against the Predators on Thursday night.

Less than a minute into Monday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, McDavid was forced to leave the ice after a hard slide into the boards with his left skate.

Despite a 6-1 loss and the end of a 2-0-1 streak, the biggest blow for the Oilers was losing McDavid. The star forward will be out for the next 2-3 weeks due to an ankle injury, as announced by the team on Wednesday.

"It's always tough to play without your best player," said Edmonton coach Kris Knoblauch. "Our team dynamic will definitely be different without him."

McDavid's 10 points are currently tied with fellow standout Leon Draisaitl for the most on the team, which has only scored a total of 22 goals and currently holds a 4-5-1 record for the season.

The Oilers will need other players to step up in McDavid's absence - after Draisaitl's six goals, no other player has more than three. Mattias Ekholm scored the lone goal for Edmonton in Monday's defeat.

"(McDavid) is our leader and the best player in the game," said forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, who has only recorded four points so far this season. "We need to do a better job of stepping up when a player like him is out."

McDavid scored a goal and defenseman Brett Kulak scored his only two goals of the season during the Oilers' 4-2 win against Nashville on October 17th.

This was the fourth loss for the Predators during their 0-5-0 start, where they were outscored 23-10. However, since then, Nashville has gone 3-0-1 and has outscored their opponents 13-8.

The Predators managed to come back from a 2-0 deficit against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday, but ultimately lost 3-2 in overtime. However, earning a point helped keep Nashville confident during their early-season turnaround.

"I thought we showed resilience," said Predators coach Andrew Brunette. "We did a good job of staying in the moment...we wanted two points, but we'll take one."

Steven Stamkos, who spent the previous 16 seasons as the face of the Lightning franchise, recorded two assists in his return to Tampa Bay. These were only the second and third points he has recorded since joining the Predators.

"It takes time," said Stamkos about transitioning to a new team and city after spending his entire career in one place. "It's definitely been an adjustment period."

Stamkos had four shots on goal during the game against Edmonton earlier this month, but it was Filip Forsberg and Jonathan Marchessault who scored for the Predators. Forsberg has an impressive record of 13 goals and 12 assists in 26 career games against the Oilers.

Nashville's Juuse Saros (2.75 goals-against average) made 32 saves during that game. Backup Scott Wedgewood has a 3.54 GAA and has split his two starts this season, both of which were at home.

Edmonton's Calvin Pickard (2.91 goals-against average) made one of his three starts this season at Nashville, recording 25 saves. Meanwhile, Stuart Skinner (3.51 GAA) has allowed nine goals on 48 shots in his first two road starts of the 2024-25 season.

Draisaitl has an impressive record of 25 goals and 18 assists in 27 career games against the Predators.

PREDICTION

Edmonton Oilers

3

4

Nashville Predators

Edmonton Oilers vs. Nashville Predators Recap OCT 17TH 2024