Oilers vs Predators

With Edmonton’s 23-16-7 record now battling for Pacific Division positioning and Nashville sitting 21-20-4 in a crowded Central race, the moneyline leans toward the side with the higher ceiling and the scarier stars, even on a back-to-back. The Oilers’ recent form is a bit choppy but still solid — they’ve won two of their last three and just routed these same Predators 6-2 last week — and their power play remains lethal, facing a Nashville penalty kill that’s good but not elite. Nashville’s recent 2-1 and 3-2 home wins, plus Saros in goal and an extra day of rest, do narrow the gap, yet the matchup problems are glaring: McDavid and Draisaitl have shredded the Predators for massive career totals, Edmonton’s five-on-five offense is deeper with Zach Hyman and Andrew Mangiapane in support, and the Preds’ middling scoring, possibly without Marchessault, makes them heavily reliant on Saros to steal it. Add in that this game has real playoff-race weight for both, and laying the short road price at -120 on Edmonton feels like the best blend of edge and risk, especially given their long-term dominance of this opponent. Moneyline pick: Edmonton Oilers -120, Grade A-. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 13/01/2026 09:51

The total at 6.5 has to account for Edmonton’s elite attack, but the underlying numbers and situational factors nudge this toward an under play despite the 6-2 scoreline in their meeting a week ago. The Oilers are averaging a bit over three and a third goals per game but also giving some back defensively, while Nashville’s offense is far thinner, sitting under three goals per night with a power play that’s closer to league average than dangerous, and that combination projects closer to six goals than seven on neutral rest. Here, though, Edmonton is on the road in a back-to-back spot after traveling from Chicago, which tends to sap a bit of pace and execution, and the Predators have Saros and a Josi-led blue line that generally drag home games into more structured, lower-scoring territory than their occasional blowouts suggest. After getting torched for six in Edmonton, Nashville also has every incentive to tighten the neutral zone and lean into matchup discipline against McDavid and Draisaitl in what is effectively a swing game for staying in the wild-card mix. There’s still volatility because of Edmonton’s firepower and special teams edge, but the combination of travel, rest, and Nashville’s shaky offense makes Under 6.5 at around -122 a slight value lean. Over/Under pick: Under 6.5, Grade B. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 13/01/2026 09:51

The puckline is where the matchup history really tempts you to chase plus money on Edmonton -1.5 at roughly 190, even with schedule and goaltending factors pushing back the other way. The Oilers have routinely turned meetings with Nashville into multi-goal wins, including last week’s 6-2 beatdown, and Draisaitl’s absurd goal totals along with McDavid’s long point streak against the Predators highlight just how often Edmonton turns a simple edge into a blowout when they get ahead. Nashville’s counter-case is the spot: they’re at home, modestly trending upward with wins in three of their last five, and Saros is capable of shrinking the margin in a game that matters a ton for their playoff hopes, especially if Marchessault is able to go and supplement Forsberg and Stamkos. But the Preds’ overall goal differential, their still-modest offensive ceiling, and an Oilers lineup that scores in waves with the league’s most dangerous power play collectively suggest that when Edmonton does win, they clear the -1.5 often enough to justify some exposure at a plus price, even on a back-to-back. Puckline pick: Edmonton Oilers -1.5 at 190, Grade B-. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 13/01/2026 09:51