NHL Odds, Pick & Preview: Oilers vs. Predators (April 14)
Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros.
- The Predators host the Oilers on Thursday night in what is expected to be a competitive matchup.
- Both teams have been playing in low-scoring games recently, but is there any value left on the total?
- Tony Sartori breaks down this matchup, plus his prediction and pick, below.
Oilers vs. Predators Odds
| Oilers Odds | -110 |
| Predators Odds | -110 |
| Over/Under | 6 (-115 / -105) |
| Time | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
| Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute NHL Odds here. | |
The Edmonton Oilers head to Tennessee to take on the Nashville Predators in Thursday's NHL showdown.
This is the third matchup between these teams this season, with the Oilers notching a 3-2 victory the last meeting that occurred in late January.
That said, will we see another low-scoring affair between these clubs or can the goal scoring pick up this time around? Let's see where we can find betting vale ahead of this contest.
Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers enter this game following a run of low-scoring outings, with six or fewer total goals scored in four consecutive games. A combination of good goaltending and poor offensive production have led to these kind of matchups, which is a trend we could continue to see in this spot.
Mike Smith is the projected starting goaltender for Edmonton and has strung together three consecutive great outings between the pipes. Smith has allowed two or fewer goals in all three of those starts, generating an outstanding 0.959 save percentage during that stretch. There were less than six total goals scored in two of those starts.
While Smith has been excellent, Edmonton's offense has gone cold, as it's averaging just 1.75 goals in its last four contests.
An offensive cold streak is the worst thing to have when entering Bridgestone Arena against Juuse Saros, one of the league's best goaltenders on home ice. Combine that with a streaking Smith, I don't expect a lot of goals to be scored.
Nashville Predators
The Predators enter this clash following Tuesday's 1-0 win over the San Jose Sharks. That contest was yet another low-scoring game for the Predators, as there have been six or fewer goals scored in four games in a row for them.
As I mentioned, Saros is the projected starter here and has been in tremendous form of late. Saros has allowed two or fewer goals in five of his last six starts, boasting an exceptional 0.944 save percentage in that span.
This string of great starts should not be shocking since Saros has been solid all season, boasting a 0.922 save percentage and ranking 10th among starting goaltenders in 5-on-5 goals saved above expected per 60 minutes. As I hinted at earlier, Saros is even better at home, where he possesses a stellar 0.932 save percentage this season.
In his one start against Edmonton, Saros stopped 44 of 46 shots for a 0.957 save percentage. He should also get plenty of defensive help in front of him since the Predators rank sixth in the league in 5-on-5 expected goals against per 60 minutes.
Oilers vs. Predators Pick
We have two hot goaltenders going against each other in what I suspect to be a low-scoring affair. Edmonton's offense has struggled and Nashville has an elite combination of defense and goaltending.
Both teams need the points in what should be a great, hard-fought game where goals will have to be earned.
Pick: Total Under 6 Goals (-105 | Play up to -120)
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