Oilers Aim for Back-to-Back Wins Against Predators Seeking First Victory
Edmonton Oilers Aim for Back-to-Back Wins Against Nashville Predators Seeking First Victory of the Season
As the NHL season unfolds, the Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators clash in Nashville on Thursday night, both teams eager to establish momentum in the early weeks of the campaign. The Oilers are coming off a hard-fought 4-3 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers, while the Predators are still searching for their first win after suffering a 7-3 defeat to the Seattle Kraken.
Oilers Looking to Build on Recent Success
After a rocky start to the season, the Edmonton Oilers (1-3-0) managed to snag their first win, lifting their spirits and aspirations in the Pacific Division, where they currently sit fifth and trail the Calgary Flames by six points. Despite this recent victory, the Oilers face challenges, ranking 31st in the league with just 1.75 goals per game and 30th in goals against, surrendering an alarming 4.50 goals per contest.
The Oilers’ power play has been lackluster, converting only 11.1% of their opportunities, placing them tied for 22nd in the league. Their penalty kill also struggles, ranked 32nd with a dismal success rate of just 56.3%.
In their latest game against Philadelphia, the Oilers showcased resilience. After falling behind 2-0 in the first period, they outshot the Flyers 31-30 and rallied back with three unanswered goals, culminating in Leon Draisaitl’s game-winning goal in overtime. This comeback featured significant contributions from Adam Henrique and Connor Brown, who each scored, and Evan Bouchard, who tied the game late in the third period with his first goal of the season.
Predators Seeking to Turn the Tide
The Nashville Predators (0-3-0) entered the season with high expectations after a series of impactful offseason signings, but they find themselves in a precarious position at the bottom of the Central Division, eight points adrift of the top. Averaging only two goals per game, Nashville ranks tied for 28th in scoring and is even worse on defense, allowing 4.67 goals per game, which puts them 31st in the league.
Their power play has been equally disappointing, converting just 9.1% of chances, putting them tied for 26th. However, their penalty kill has been a bright spot, ranking 8th with an 87.5% success rate.
In their last matchup against Seattle, the Predators demonstrated some fight, outshooting their opponent 33-35, but ultimately succumbed in the third period, getting outscored 4-0 after a competitive first two periods. Michael McCarron and Tommy Novak found the net, while Brady Skjei also scored to tie the game at three in the second period. Juuse Saros, who made 28 saves in the loss, is anticipated to start against the Oilers, hoping to regain his form.
Conclusion
As the Oilers and Predators prepare for this pivotal showdown, both teams are under pressure to perform. The Oilers will aim to carry their momentum from a hard-fought win, while the Predators desperately seek their first victory of the season.
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