Predators at Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers have turned things around after a disappointing start to the season and hope the success continues when they resume their four-game homestand against the Nashville Predators on Saturday. The Oilers were outscored 9-3 while losing their first two contests of 2018-19 but have bounced back with three straight wins, including Thursday's 3-2 overtime triumph over Boston in their home opener.
"These last couple of games, there have been some really good signs," Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl, who scored 37 seconds into the extra session, told reporters after Thursday's win. "That's what winning teams do, they find a way to win games." Captain Connor McDavid has begun the campaign on a torrid pace, factoring in on 11 of the Oilers' 13 goals after notching two assists versus the Bruins. Extending the winning streak will be difficult for Edmonton as it hosts a Nashville team that has won six of its first seven contests after avenging its lone loss by posting a 5-3 victory in Calgary on Friday. Filip Forsberg and Kevin Fiala each recorded a goal and an assist for the Predators, who lost Pekka Rinne to an undisclosed injury early in the third period.
TV: 10 p.m. ET, FS Tennessee (Nashville), CBC, Sportsnet 360 (Edmonton)
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (6-1-0): Forsberg leads the team with eight points and has landed on the scoresheet in each of the team's six victories. The 24-year-old Swede has collected four goals during his three-game streak and six points over his four-game run. Zac Rinaldo, who was signed as a free agent in July, scored on Friday as he and Fiala ended their season-opening point droughts at six games.
ABOUT THE OILERS (3-2-0): McDavid, who is the reigning two-time Art Ross Trophy winner, has recorded four goals and seven assists while registering four multi-point performances during his season-opening five-game streak. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also has been wielding a hot stick, scoring on Thursday to give him two tallies and five assists on his three-game point streak. The 25-year-old, who was the first overall pick in the 2011 draft, is one assist away from 200 for his career.
OVERTIME
1. Oilers RW Kailer Yamamoto scored his first career goal Thursday after notching three assists in his first nine NHL games last season.
2. Nashville C Ryan Johansen has registered two goals and four assists during his four-game point streak.
3. Edmonton placed Matt Benning (undisclosed) on injured reserve Friday and recalled fellow D Kevin Gravel from Bakersfield of the American Hockey League.