Nashville Predators: Predators Centers vs The Best of the West
By Steve Cook
Edmonton Oilers
Connor McDavid: 30 goals, 70 assists, 54.8 FF%, 5.6 CF% rel
Leon Draisaitl: 29 goals, 48 assists, 52.7 FF%, 2.9 CF% rel
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins: 18 goals, 25 assists, 50.6 FF%, -0.8 CF% rel
Mark Letestu: 16 goals, 19 assists, 46.0 FF%, -5.7 CF% rel
The Oilers scare me more than any other team in the Western Conference. They have Connor McDavid, which is enough of a problem. They also have a vast array of young talent that is all among the best at their position. You’d have to give the Oilers advantages on all four lines.
The good news: The Oilers have lost the last nine times they’ve played the Nashville Predators. That includes six games during the two seasons McDavid has led the Oilers. Once a team gets in another team’s head, it’s tough to change the momentum. The Predators know this well. How many of us cried in terror when Nashville drew the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round last season? Chicago had Nashville’s number, much like Nashville has had Edmonton’s number.
If that’s to change, it will be due to McDavid’s continued improvement, and the advantage Edmonton holds at center.