Predators vs Oilers

Connor McDavid and the Oilers host a Predators team that has quietly climbed back to 19-18-4 after a brutal start, riding six wins in their last eight but coming off a taxing Western road swing that has already taken them through Vegas, Seattle and Calgary. Edmonton has stumbled into this one on a two-game skid after lopsided losses to Boston and Philadelphia, yet still sits 20-16-6 and atop the Pacific, with McDavid leading the league scoring race and Leon Draisaitl again driving one of the NHL’s most dangerous power plays. The matchup history is hard to ignore: McDavid has piled up 43 points in 24 career games against Nashville, while Draisaitl has averaged well over two points per game versus the Predators since 2018-19, turning this particular opponent into one of his favorite punching bags. Roster-wise, Edmonton’s core is fully intact per the current ESPN depth chart, though their depth is dinged by injuries to Tristan Jarry, Jake Walman and Kasperi Kapanen, while Nashville finally has Roman Josi back in the fold after his early-season upper-body absence, giving them more push from the back end. With Edmonton’s elite top-end talent, home ice, and specific history against Nashville balanced against current form and blue-line injuries, I’m willing to lay the -167 on the Oilers moneyline at a Grade B: a reasonably strong favorite that profiles better as a single-unit play or parlay anchor than a max bet. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 06/01/2026 09:53

This total sets up as a clash between recent trends and long-term matchup dynamics, with Nashville’s offense finally waking up on this road trip and Edmonton still living and dying in high-event games despite their recent mini-slump. The Predators have erupted for multi-goal performances from Steven Stamkos, Erik Haula and Michael Bunting over the past week, pushing them to six wins in eight and showing they can score in bunches even when Juuse Saros is busy at the other end, while Josi’s return has added another playmaker to their breakout and power play. On the other side, Edmonton’s recent schedule includes a 9-4 win, an 8-3 loss, and several other multi-goal swings that underline how volatile their defensive structure remains, especially with Tristan Jarry and key depth skaters banged up, and their scoring ceiling is obvious with McDavid already past 70 points and Draisaitl historically torching Nashville’s penalty kill. Given the combination of Edmonton’s elite finishing, the Predators’ improved scoring depth with additions like Stamkos and Marchessault, and travel-weary legs that could sap some defensive sharpness on Nashville’s side, I lean Over 6.5 at -110 with a Grade B-: the number is fair for a game that could easily open up if an early power-play goal forces the trailing team to chase, but totals volatility keeps it shy of premium status. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 06/01/2026 09:53

With Edmonton a justifiable home favorite but nursing a two-game losing streak and some key depth injuries, the puckline value tilts slightly toward a Nashville side that has battled back into the Western playoff conversation around the 41-game mark and has been playing most opponents tough for 60 minutes. The Predators have stabilized defensively since Josi’s return and are leaning heavily on Saros and a veteran core of Ryan O’Reilly and Stamkos, and even in their recent loss in Seattle they generated enough push to avoid a scoreline blowout; meanwhile, Edmonton’s last six weeks are littered with close games and OT decisions despite the presence of McDavid and Draisaitl, in part because their defensive depth and goaltending carousel (Skinner, Pickard and the injured Jarry) have made it hard to consistently close teams out. Historically, the Oilers’ stars have done massive damage to Nashville, which keeps Edmonton deserving of its moneyline price, but that same reliance on a few elite forwards plus some recent defensive wobble makes a one-goal Oilers win a very live outcome. Taking Predators +1.5 at -167 earns a Grade B- from me: the juice is heavy and limits the upside, yet the combination of Nashville’s recent surge, playoff urgency, and their ability to keep games within a goal against top competition makes the underdog puckline slightly more attractive than laying -1.5 with Edmonton. Odds and availability are subject to change. This bet was made at 06/01/2026 09:53