Game Thread: Predators vs Oilers - Oil on Fire

The Oilers are on a roll like they haven't been in for awhile thanks to Ben Scrivens, a strong penalty kill, and some timely scoring. The Predators roll in to start a long road trip and bring Pekka Rinne, the league's 4th-best goaltender thus far this season. The Predators have activated Matt Cullen and look like they may be scratching Calle Jarnkrok.

How To Tune In

Sportsnet 1 at 8 PM.

What To Watch For From The Oilers

What To Watch For From The Predators

More on the Predators

Nashville Predators

Follow

The Preds power play has trouble generating shots and the penalty kill is just mediocre. They're stronger than they've been in awhile at evens and with Rinne in goal, they'll be solid. The Oilers should take advantage of a special teams advantage tonight in both situations.

We know how Dallas Eakins has used Boyd Gordon - he's the Sherpa of the prairie. Paul Gaustad usage is even more absurd. To date, Gaustad has taken 24 neutral zone faceoffs, 65 defensive zone faceoffs and just 4 offensive zone faceoffs. Compare that to Gordon's 26 in the neutral zone, 84 in the defensive zone and 11 in the offensive. Gaustad's starting position on the ice is outrageous, making his 60% in the circle amazing.

Projected Lineups

Edmonton Oilers

Taylor Hall - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins - Jordan Eberle
Teddy Purcell - Leon Draisaitl - David Perron
Benoit Pouliot - Mark Arcobello - Nail Yakupov
Matt Hendricks - Boyd Gordon - Jesse Joensuu

Brad Hunt - Justin Schultz
Andrew Ference - Jeff Petry
Martin Marincin - Mark Fayne

Ben Scrivens

Nashville Predators

Filip Forsberg — Mike Ribeiro — James Neal
Colin Wilson — Derek Roy — Craig Smith
Gabriel Bourque — Matt Cullen — Taylor Beck
Erik Nystrom — Paul Gaustad — Olli Jokinen

Roman Josi — Shea Weber
Mattias Ekholm — Ryan Ellis
Anton Volchenkov — Seth Jones

Pekka Rinne

Final Thought

Love when I go to a bar and they have Calf Killer. I'm winning tonight, guys. And so will the Royals and the Predators.

— Frank Marco (@FrankieMarco) October 29, 2014