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Top 3 Oilers studs versus Predators

By Paul Taylor

Oct 17, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Connor McDavid (97) of the Edmonton Oilers keeps the puck away from Ryan O'Reilly (90) of the Nashville Predators during the third period of their game at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Connor McDavid (97) of the Edmonton Oilers keeps the puck away from Ryan O'Reilly (90) of the Nashville Predators during the third period of their game at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Edmonton Oilers Jack Campbell
Oct 17, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Kiefer Sherwood (44) of the Nashville Predators attempts to score as goalie Jack Campbell (36) of the Edmonton Oilers covers the goal during the third period of their game at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-USA TODAY Sports /

For the first time this season we get to do a positive review, with a look at the three best Edmonton Oilers players in the 6-1 win versus the Predators.

What a nice turnaround for the Edmonton Oilers, after Saturday’s frustrating 4-3 loss in the home opener. Tuesday night saw them make sweet music in the Music City, as they beat the Predators 6-1.

There was plenty to like in the Oilers’ first win of the season, with a trip to Nashville providing the perfect tonic after their 0-2 start to the 2023-24 campaign. Here are the three players who stood out most, in the emphatic win versus the Predators:

1) Jack Campbell

We simply have to begin with Jack Campbell, who was under a lot of pressure entering Tuesday night. Coming off the worst statistical season of his NHL career, things couldn’t have started much worse, in the season opener versus the Canucks.

However, Campbell took the nightmare in Vancouver on the chin, and responded with an outstanding effort versus the Predators. The Oilers were outshot 15-11 in the opening period, but their goaltender did not allow a single goal as the visitors opened up an insurmountable 4-0 lead.

In all, the 2010 11th overall draft pick stop 42 of 43 shots, for an excellent 0.977 save percentage. This undoubtedly looked more like the version of him Oilers fans witnessed during a strong preseason.

Of course, one game does not a season make, with Campbell still needing to shake off his reputation of being talented but inconsistent. However, the form shown on Tuesday night certainly gives him something to build momentum off of.

The 31-year-old spoke to the media about responding to his previous start and how he was able to look good from the get-go in Nashville. He said:

"“There were just a couple of little tweaks that I thought individually I could make. I thought it paid off tonight, where I got a little bit more aggressive. … It’s a humbling league. You can never get too overconfident. Feeling good is great and you strive for that feeling. Thankfully they gave me some rubber early and got me into the game.”"

Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft pointed towards his goalie’s performance as setting the stage for the win. Speaking to the media, he said:

"“He played the way he expects to play, he played the way we expect him to play. He made numerous big saves, he looked like he was confident and big out there. He allowed us to get into the game and find a way to win it. We got contributions from a lot of people, but certainly Jack’s contribution stood out above the rest.”"

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