The Oilers beat the Predators on an emotional October 17 evening as fans welcomed back former Predator Mattias Ekholm. Nashville needs to do both more and the same to get a win in this afternoon's rematch.
It was an emotional game when the Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators played each other at the beginning of the season as beloved former Predator Mattias Ekholm returned to Bridgestone Arena for the first time since the shocking trade that sent him to the Oilers last February. Ekholm and the Oilers came out and beat the Predators 6-1 on home ice, but the game wasn't as statistically lopsided as the final score would suggest. Nashville outshot the Oilers, and led in stats like high danger chances, puck possession, and expected goals for.
Leading on the stat sheet but not on the scoreboard has been Nashville's lot in several games this season. If the Predators can successfully make three adjustments, they may be able to change their final outcome against an Oilers team that has been up and down in their first nine games.
Five Guys
Although Nashville had the advantage in puck possession in that October 17 game, the Oilers were able to put up so many goals because they sneak quietly around the ice. Three of their six goals were cross ice passes to a back door player who softly snuck into open space. Shutting down puck traffic through the slot will help, but the Predators need to keep close track of five guys on the ice at all times because Edmonton is always moving and looking for that one sneaky open player.
Oct 17, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Warren Foegele (37) of the Edmonton Oilers shoots and scores past goalie Kevin Lankinen (32) of the Nashville Predators during the second period of their game at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-USA TODAY SportsTwo Guys
The Predators have gotten scoring from some exciting sources, but today Nashville will need two players to step up offensively - Filip Forsberg and Roman Josi. Forsberg is the points leader and Josi is tied for second in points but between the two of them only have three goals in ten games. Forsberg is generating quality offensive chances and will need to be a player who finishes against a high powered Oilers offense.
All the Guys
While Nashville statistically outplayed the Oilers in their 6-1 loss, what the Oilers do have is, in the words of Liam Neeson, a very particular set of skills. Skills they have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make them a nightmare for teams like Nashville. Edmonton has plenty of talent, yes, but their skill set involves taking any small mistake or window of opportunity and converting it into a goal. That's what happened on October 17, and those little mistakes, turnovers, sloppy passes, or hesitant defensive plays will make or break the outcome today as well.
Regardless of what the lineup looks like for Nashville, the team as a whole has to clean up those small lapses and play a game that is close to perfect. The Predators have been playing well overall despite what their 4-6 record may indicate. If they can take that next step in execution, the team could surprise the Oilers.
It is a Saturday afternoon game today with puck drop scheduled for 2:00 pm CT.