Predators look poised to keep things close with the Oilers as they rep a 19-9 record as an underdog this season
Nashville has the daunting task of taking on the Oilers Saturday afternoon, who are riding an all-Canadian record with 15 straight wins and will have home ice against a Predators team, who they’ve beaten in eight of their ten matchups. The Oilers have seen their play excel on both ends of the ice with Connor McDavid and the offense reaching a whole other level with the fourth-best offense in the league during their winning streak with a 3.80 goals per game average. The backend has also hit new heights with the best goals against per game average only letting 1.53 goals by Stuart Skinner and company.
The Predators will have a tough test but they’ve shown bursts of stellar play with a 13-3-0 record from mid-November till December where they were the hottest team in the league. Since, they are above average with a 9-8-1 record with a bottom eight offense in the league, averaging only 2.78 goals per game. They will need a strong game from expected starter Juuse Saros who’s found his game as of late with a goals against average of 2.05 and a save percentage of .930 over his last six games.
It’ll be the marquee matchup that hockey fans should watch to see if the Oilers can continue this streak and inch closer to the 1992-93 Penguins, who won the NHL record 17 straight games. Nashville will look to play spoiler and make their presence felt with most of the hockey world not giving them any credit even at their best. If you want added incentive to watch this game, here is our best bets for this afternoon’s exciting matchup between these two that should help you earn some cash from your home.
All betting lines are from Bet365 and are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.
Pick: Predators over 2.5 goals (-125)
Stuart Skinner has been on fire for the Oilers but his hot streak is bound to end at some point. The Preds average 3.02 goals per game this season and have been slightly better on the road averaging 3.13 goals per game that has them tied with the Golden Knights and three decimal points behind the Bruins. Before the hot streak, Skinner had a 12-9-1 record with a 3.04 goals against average and a .886 save percentage, that tells me if the Predators can break through and get some momentum, they may be able to get at least three past Skinner.
Pick: Predators +1.5 (-135)
The Oilers are bound to give the Preds a sniff as keeping this unbelievable streak going will be difficult and to win by two may be even harder. The Oilers have an even 19-19 record as a favourite this season which isn’t that bad but the Predators 19-9 record as an underdog is much better and is at a decent value. If Saros can play a great game for the Predators like he has been as of late, they should keep in this game and possibly win.