Oilers vs Predators Prediction, Picks & Odds for Tonight’s NHL Game

With Connor McDavid sidelined, the Edmonton Oilers will lean on their defense in what’s expected to be a low-scoring contest at Bridgestone Arena.

Neil Parker - Analyst at Covers.com
Neil Parker • Betting Analyst
Oct 31, 2024 • 12:22 ET • 4 min read

NHL

Match starts: 2 hrs
NAS
63 %
EDM
37 %
Read Analysis
Stuart Skinner Edmonton Oilers NHL
Photo By - Photo By - Imagn Images.

Overcoming adversity is part and parcel of successful teams, and the Edmonton Oilers hit the ice tonight without superstar Connor McDavid for the first time this season.

Edmonton visits Bridgestone Arena to take on the Nashville Predators on Thursday, October 31, and my Oilers vs. Predators predictions and NHL picks expect both clubs to continue struggling to find the back of the net.

Oilers vs Predators prediction

My Oilers pick
Under 6.5 (-120 at BET99)

My Oilers analysis

The Edmonton Oilers and Nashville Predators enter with the worst team shooting percentage at five-on-five while scoring just 1.69 and 1.62 goals per 60 minutes. Both clubs are eyeing serious statistical correction, but I’m not anticipating the puck luck to flip all at once tonight.

The offseason changes the Oilers and Predators made have both lineups looking quite different, and both head coaches have had their lines in the blender recently. A lack of offensive chemistry is obvious for both.

Edmonton will also obviously have to hit the restart button without reigning Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid (ankle) for the foreseeable future, while Nashville hasn’t been able to hit the ground running with prized offseason acquisitions Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault

The two first-year Preds have yet to find the back of the net at 5-on-5, with Stamkos sporting only a single helper and Marchessault yet to record a point.

Again, the scoring is coming for both teams, but one of the primary reasons I’m skeptical of an offensive explosion tonight is because both teams have positive regression ahead in goal, too.

Nashville netminder Juuse Saros sports a .905 save percentage after posting a .916 mark across the past four seasons, while Edmonton's Stuart Skinner holds a .872 SV% that is way below his .909 career mark entering the year.

The Oilers have played to the Under in six of their past seven games, while the Preds have gone Under the number in five of their past eight. I anticipate both of those trends to carry into tonight's matchup at Bridgestone Arena. 

Oilers vs Predators same-game parlay (SGP)

Under 6.5

Jeff Skinner Over 2.5 shots

Filip Forsberg Over 3.5 shots

Oilers winger Jeff Skinner is second in the NHL in shots per 60 minutes (14.82) and has recorded three or more shots in eight of 10 games this season. He’s also rocking a solid 56.4 Corsi For percentage at 5-on-5.

It’s a similar story for Predators winger Filip Forsberg. He ranks third in shots per 60 minutes (14.25) and paces the league in shots per game (4.7). Forsberg has four or more shots in six of nine games this season and sports an elite 59.9 CF% at 5-on-5.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Bet on the NHL at BET99!

One of Canada's best sportsbooks for hockey betting, join BET99 and get up to $1,500 bonus bets back if your first bet doesn’t win when using our BET99 promo code COVERSBONUS!

*Not available in Ontario. 19+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Oilers vs Predators odds

Oilers vs Predators live odds

Oilers vs Predators opening odds

  • Puck line: Edmonton +1.5 (-225) | Nashville -1.5 (+185)
  • Moneyline: Edmonton +110 | Nashville -130
  • Over/Under: Over 6 (+100) | Under 6 (+100)

Odds courtesy of BET99

Oilers vs Predators trend

Edmonton has played to the Under in six of its past seven games, while Nashville has gone Under the number in five of its past eight. Find more NHL betting trends for Oilers vs Predators.

How to watch Oilers vs Predators

Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
Date: Thursday, 10-31-2024
Puck drop: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: TSN2

Oilers vs Predators latest injuries

Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.

Pages related to this topic

Betting Analyst

Neil Parker is, first and foremost, a sports fan. A huge supporter of the Cowboys, Cubs, and Maple Leafs, he has managed to parlay his passion into writing gigs with Sportsbook Review, USA TODAY, theScore, DraftKings Playbook, and RotoWire, among many others. He also co-hosted the Daily Fantasy Edge podcast and can now be seen offering expert golf and hockey advice on Covers’ Before you Bet broadcast.

Neil takes a numbers-based approach to his handicapping and complements his in-depth statistical analysis with a keen eye on the markets to provide the best available odds. He loves to lean on his rolodex of idioms to offset his inner nerd. When it comes to wagering, he throws down on anything that catches his eye at bet365, Betway and BetVictor. He also keeps a close eye on CoolBet because the polar bear brand often has outlier NHL and NFL moneyline prices.

Neil graduated with honors from St. Thomas University in 2007 before completing his BEd at Acadia University in 2010. After teaching a myriad of courses and subjects, he found a groove delivering fun lessons to exceptional learners in non-traditional classroom environments. If his decade-plus teaching run taught him anything about sports betting, it’s to stay the course and use the summer – or offseason – to refresh and prepare to be better in the year to come.

Neil’s top pieces of advice for recreational bettors are to stay within your means and to remember sportsbooks aren’t bank accounts. Don’t be afraid to pull those winnings and treat yourself to a lifetime experience courtesy of a big win.

Popular Content

Legal Canadian sports betting

Best Canadian betting sites Ontario sports betting