Two teams that each average 10+ minutes per game in the penalty box, the Nashville Predators and the Edmonton Oilers take the ice at Rogers Place for a Western Conference matchup. TVA Sports will showcase the matchup, and the opening face-off takes place at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 14.
Nashville Predators at Edmonton Oilers Odds
Nashville is 18-11 straight up (SU) and has earned 5.8 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 29 regular season outings, 16 of its games have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and none have pushed. This 2017-18 Predators team is 7-7 SU on the road.
Nashville currently has the third-best power-play unit in the NHL, as it’s scored on 26.1 percent of its extra-man chances this year. On the other hand, it has the fifth-best penalty kill in the league, and it has successfully killed off 82.9 percent of its penalties.
The Preds, as a collective unit, have been penalized 5.4 times per game this season, and 4.2 per game over its last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties 9.6 minutes per game over their last five road outings.
With a .926 save percentage and 30.4 saves per game, Pekka Rinne (16-7-3) has been the top option in goal for Nashville this season. If head coach Peter Laviolette decides to rest him, however, the team may turn to Juuse Saros (2-4-1), who has a .890 save percentage and 3.43 goals against average this year.
Filip Forsberg and Kyle Turris will both be relied on to produce for the visiting Predators. Forsberg has 29 points on 14 goals and 15 assists, and has recorded multiple points seven times. Turris has six goals and 16 assists to his nameand has logged a point in 14 games.
On the other bench, Edmonton is 13-18 straight up (SU) and has lost 8.6 units for moneyline bettors thus far. Through 31 regular season matches, 16 of its games have gone over the total, while 14 have gone under and just one has pushed. This year, the teams 5-9 SU as the home team.
The Oilers have converted on just 19.0 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 31st overall, and it’s successfully killed off 73.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Edmonton skaters have been penalized 4.2 times per game in total this season, and 3.2 per game over their past ten outings. The teams been forced to kill penalties just 7.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Cam Talbot (25.8 saves per game) has been the primary choice in goal for the Oilers. Talbot has 10 wins, 12 losses, and one OT loss to his name and has registered a mediocre 3.00 goals against average and a subpar .903 save percentage this year.
Connor McDavid (12 goals, 27 assists) will lead the offensive attack for the Oilers.
Nashville Predators vs. Edmonton Oilers Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Oilers, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
- Eight of Edmonton’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals. The team is 5-3 overall in those games.
- The Predators are 7-1 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent and 8-3 in games where they serve fewer than 10 total penalty minutes.
- Four of Nashville’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 2-2 in those games and 3-3 overall in shootouts this season.
- The over has hit in four of Edmonton’s last five outings.
- Edmonton has averaged 16.2 giveaways over its last five home games, a rise over its season average of 11.9 giveaways per game (ranked 26th).
- Nashville is ranked 17th this season with 10.1 giveaways per game. That figure has trended higher, as it’s averaged 11.9 giveaways over its last 10 games and 13.0 giveaways over its last five.
- The Oilers this season have handed the second-most hits in the league (27.5 per game).
