The Edmonton Oilers face the Nashville Predators with both teams heading in opposite directions to start the season. The Oilers have a 17-14-1 record but are looking to bounce back from a rough loss while the Predators have a 12-13-4 record and with only three wins in the last 10 games have fallen to the bottom of the Central Division. Both teams are looking to improve in the Western Conference and the upcoming game should be a good one as a result.
The Oilers have looked promising this season with their offense stepping up and scoring 3.59 goals per game with 26 goals in the last six games. Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl have scored 49 goals and 67 assists to lead the top two lines but the rest of the offense has been great as well. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Zach Hyman, and Derek Ryan have combined for 33 goals and 45 assists while defensemen Darnell Nurse and Tyson Barrie have added nine goals and 33 assists from the point to open up the offense.
The offense has been great but the defense has struggled, allowing 3.41 goals per game with eight goals in the last two games. Darnell Nurse and Cody Ceci have combined for 3.8 defensive point shares and 109 blocked shots but the rest of the unit has struggled, allowing opponents to carry the puck into the offensive zone and find open shots on the net. The bright spot has been the play of goaltend er Stuart Skinner who has a .915 save percentage and a 2.83 goals-against average on 620 shots.