Face-off: 2000 ET, 14/04/2022
Arena: Bridgestone Arena
Nashville Predators will target a second win in a row to solidify their position in the Western Conference wildcard spots.
For Edmonton, they will look to turn things around immediately after their seven-game point streak came to an end in Minnesota.
Playoff positioning is on the agenda for both teams and Edmonton can bounce back with a narrow win by one goal at 8.25 to begin our Nashville Predators vs Edmonton Oilers predictions.
Win up to $100 in cash with our Free to Play NHL predictions promotion!
Nashville Predators Odds
Nashville sit seven points behind the St Louis Blues for third place in the Central Division with nine games of the season to go.
It seems a tough ask for the Predators to catch the Blues and they hold a four-point lead over the Vegas Golden Knights with a game in hand in the wildcard race.
Every game is crucial now and all eyes will be on Predators defenceman Roman Josi down the stretch.
The 31-year-old leads all blue-lines with 87 points as he looks for the 13 points that will see him become the first NHL defenceman to hit 100 points since New York Rangers’ Brian Leetch in the 1991-92 season.
Josi, who has 19 goals and 68 assists, is already enjoying the most productive season of his career but has been held off the scoresheet for the last three games and will be eager to get back on the offensive to keep the Predators in post-season contention.
The Predators came out of a defensive duel with the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday as Ryan Johansen’s winner 3:18 into overtime earned them a 1-0 win and coach John Hynes hailed the performance of goaltender Juuse Saros, who recorded his fourth shutout of the season.
“[Saros] had some timely saves, for sure,” Hynes said. “That’s what happens sometimes where you’re pressing a little bit to try to be able to score and that’s an area where we can do a little better job. [Saros] came up with some key saves at key times for us.
“That’s what makes him the quality goaltender that he is. He gives you a chance every night.”
Saros will again have a key role against the offensive juggernaut that is the Oilers and he can help keep it down to an Edmonton win with under 6.5 goals at 3.25 in the Nashville Predators vs Edmonton Oilers odds.
Edmonton Oilers Odds
Edmonton will hope to make their game in hand over the Los Angeles Kings count and stretch their lead to four points in second in the Pacific Division.
The Oilers have gone 7-2-1 over the last 10 games that has put them in a strong position to secure a top-three seed in the division.
Leon Draisaitl scored his 51st goal of the season in Tuesday’s 4-1 defeat to the Wild and at the same time set a new Edmonton record with a 21st powerplay goal of the season.
It was the only bright spot for the Oilers as they were worn down by a relentless forecheck from the Wild.
Forward Zach Hyman acknowledged Edmonton struggled to transition as Minnesota continuously kept them on the back foot.
He said: “We had trouble breaking out, that’s not just on the defence, it’s on the whole group to support each other. We just didn’t execute.”
Hyman though is confident Edmonton can fight back from the disappointment.
“It’s an 82-game season and I think we’ve put ourselves in a very good position,” he added. “I think we’ve been playing really well as of late.
“You don’t want to have blips on the radar, but you’re only human. It’s one of those things where you get back at it the next day and you make it a blip. We did that after the Calgary game and we’re going to do it after this one.”
It’s a massive game for both teams who will want to be on the front foot so we’ll finish our Nashville Predators vs Edmonton Oilers betting tips with Edmonton to win with both teams scoring two or more goals at 3.90.
Additional stats
Last result:
NASHVILLE 1-0 San Jose (OT)
Minnesota 5-1 EDMONTON
Head-to-head: Edmonton 3-2 Nashville, Edmonton 5-2 Nashville
