The Edmonton Oilers may be without Connor McDavid for now, but they’re proving that some things never change—like their dominance over the Nashville Predators. In their first game without their superstar captain, the Oilers cruised to a decisive 5-1 victory, extending their reign over Nashville to 13 wins in their last 16 meetings.
Even without McDavid’s magic, Edmonton didn’t miss a beat at Bridgestone Arena, showcasing a total team effort that had fans wondering if they could beat the Predators with curling brooms and roller blades.
Coach Kris Knoblauch praised the team’s response, especially the line of Leon Draisaitl, Viktor Arvidsson, and Vasily Podkolzin, who set the pace with three goals and relentless energy. “They played with great pace, execution, and created lots of scoring chances. Everyone stepped up,” said Knoblauch.
Just 37 seconds into the game—eerily matching the 37 seconds McDavid played before his ankle injury last game—Arvidsson opened the scoring with his first goal as an Oiler, marking a strong start for Edmonton.
Penalty Kill Woes Continue
The Oilers’ penalty kill, currently the worst in the league, allowed Nashville to equalize on an early power play. Edmonton has now conceded 12 power-play goals through 11 games, a sore spot they’ll need to fix.
A Fairy-Tale Debut
American League call-up Noah Philp had a storybook night, earning his first NHL point with an assist on Corey Perry’s goal that put Edmonton ahead 2-1. With his family in the crowd, Philp’s achievement was celebrated by teammates like Draisaitl, who said, “He’s been through so much, and playing here after being out a year is amazing. He’s got a bright future.”
Draisaitl Strikes Again
If it’s Nashville, it’s Draisaitl time. The Predators’ perennial nemesis notched an assist in the first period and then buried goals in the second and third, amassing a staggering 25 goals and 41 points in just 16 games against Nashville.
Late Game Highlights
Zach Hyman capped the scoring with his first goal of the season, putting Edmonton up 5-1 after a precise pass from Darnell Nurse. Podkolzin, though still scoreless, won big points with a knockout in a third-period scrap with Jeremy Lauzon, while Ty Emberson also stepped up in his first NHL fight. The Oilers’ feistiness seems to pay off—they’re unbeaten in games where they throw down the gloves.
In goal, Calvin Pickard held strong with 26 saves, extending his personal win streak to three games.
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