After a thrilling come from behind win on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers hopefully can turn the tide of this early season for the Edmonton Oilers. The Oilers were 0-3 heading into that game, but after that win, they now find themselves slowly working their way in the right direction. While they still have a long way to go, getting this team's first win is crucial.
Tonight the Oilers are playing their first road game of the season as they take on the Nashville Predators. The Predators are having a similar start to the season as the Oilers, and are still looking for their first win. With a record of 0-3, the Predators are not off to the start they were hoping for. After an offseason where they added a few big name free agents an 0-3 start does not look good for them.
Just like the Oilers many analsyst picked the Predators to have a strong season and contend not only for a playoff spot put for the cup itself. With the start they are having it doesn't look like things are headed that way. Just like we said with the Oilers, the season is still young and if the Preds win tonight they will have the same amount of wins as the Oilers, so right now they have nothing to be worried about.
Nashville Predators Projected Lines
#Preds lineup at the morning skate:
— Robby Stanley (@RStanleyNHL) October 17, 2024
Forsberg-O'Reilly-Nyquist
Stamkos-Novak-Evangelista
Jankowski-Sissons-Marchessault
Smith-McCarron-Tomasino
Josi-Fabbro
Skjei-Schenn
Lauzon-Carrier
Saros
Wedgewood
Extra: Parssinen
While their two big additions Stamkos and Marchessault have yet to score for the Predators, it is only a matter of time before they do. For the Oilers, they are going to want to keep that trend going. If the Preds want to succeed, those two players will need to become major contributors.
Projected Edmonton Oilers Lineup
The @EdmontonOilers in Nashville
— Bob Stauffer (@Bob_Stauffer) October 17, 2024
Draisaitl-McDavid-Hyman
Podkolzin-RNH-Arvidsson
Skinner-Henrique-Brown
Janmark-Ryan-Perry
Ekholm-Bouchard
Nurse-Stecher
Kulak-Emberson
Pickard (in starter's net)
It looks like the Oilers are going to keep similar lines to the ones they had in their win earlier this week. While I don't think I want to see Draisaitl and McDavid together full-time, if they keep winning games then I see no reason as to why Knoblauch would change anything. Another thing to note is it looks like Pickard will be getting the start which means Skinner should be getting the start in Dallas on Saturday.
While it is still quite early in the season the Edmonton Oilers need to start getting some wins on the board. While it is a long season, if you start to get too far behind it is hard to come back. Even though they were able to last season, I don't know if they can do it two seasons in a row. An early season winning streak is just what the doctor ordered and it could start tonight.