The Nashville Predators (32-24-8) host the Edmonton Oilers (34-23-8) Monday at Bridgestone Arena for an 8 p.m. ET puck drop. We analyze the Oilers-Predators sports betting odds and lines, while providing NHL betting tips and picks around this matchup.
Oilers at Predators: Projected starting goalies
Mike Smith vs. Juuse Saros
Smith has gone 11-1-3 with a .920 save percentage over 15 games played since Jan. 4. The veteran netminder is 18-10-6 with a .905 SV% and 2.87 goals against average across 34 starts and two relief appearances for his first season with the Oilers.
Saros has taken over the lion’s share of starts for the Predators. He is 14-11-4 with a .907 SV% and 2.89 GAA through 30 starts and five relief appearances on the season.
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Oilers at Predators: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list.
Odds last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Oilers 3, Predators 2
Moneyline (ML)
The Oilers (+120) enter Monday second in the Pacific Division, while the Predators (-143) are fourth in the Central Division and fighting for a wild-card spot for their Western Conference playoff berth. Nashville is coming off a 3-2 home loss to the Colorado Avalanche, and they’ll play their final game of a five-game homestand. Edmonton topped the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 Saturday and starts another three-game road swing.
Back the OILERS (+120) at plus-money as a strong value play. Edmonton has a slight advantage in Corsi For Percentage (rate of total shot attempts), at 49.96% to 48.31% at 5-on-5 since Feb. 1. The Oilers also lead the head-to-head season series 2-0 with wins by scores of 4-2 and 3-2, both in Edmonton.
New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Oilers to win in regulation, overtime or a shootout returns a profit of $12.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
PASS on the spread, as the moneyline is a much more profitable play while backing the Oilers (+1.5, -228). The goal of insurance in the event of a loss for the road dogs results in a profit of just $4.40 on the same $10 wager.
Edmonton is 34-31 against the spread overall and a strong 23-11 against the spread on the road. The Preds are just 22-42 ATS overall and a woeful 9-24 on home ice. None of Nashville’s last five wins were by more than a single goal, and two of those went to overtime or a shootout. We’re backing the Oilers to win a close game.
Over/Under (O/U)
Take the UNDER 5.5 (+120) as a good value bet. Both teams played to the Over in just four of their last 10 games and their two head-to-head meetings this season played to either side of Monday’s projected goal total.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 261-244
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