The Nashville Predators are set to face the Edmonton Oilers for the third and final time this season. For Nashville fans, this is a good thing as they have dropped both previous games against the Oilers in 2024-25 and this matchup has not treated them well in recent years.

The biggest threat to the Predators in this game is Leon Draisaitl. He has absolutely loved playing against Nashville in his career, scoring 27 goals in 28 games to go along with 46 points. The superstar has scored 15 of those goals on the power play, one shorthanded, and six of them have been game-winning goals.

Draisaitl's Domination: Why Does He Score So Many Goals Against Nashville?

So why does Draisaitl dominate the Nashville Predators more than any other team? That isn't a question that has a definite answer. Sometimes a player just has one team's number like Draisaitl does in this case. We've seen it with Sidney Crosby and the Philadelphia Flyers for example.

The Psychology of Draisaitl's Success

I don't think Draisaitl hates the Predators, but after playing this well against one team for this long, might have expectations placed on himself to continue doing what he has to this certain team. The Predators and Oilers are in the same conference and both typically fighting for a playoff spot, so there are some playoff implications most times the teams play each other.

Can the Predators Find a Way to Stop Draisaitl?

This is just something that Nashville teams have to deal with year after year unless a group can find a way to stop it. Draisaitl hasn't slowed down yet and is still at the top of his game. It just so happens that Connor McDavid is one point away from 1000 in his career as well, so both players will be playing extra hard to have that milestone hit in this game, Draisaitl especially.

The Predators have been able to win against the Oilers with Draisaitl on the team, but it has been much more one-sided in favor of Edmonton. For the Predators sake, they better hope they can bring the same effort against the Oilers as they did against the Colorado Avalanche and come away with a much-needed win this time.

Will the Predators Ever Find an Answer?

The Oilers have been a tough opponent for the Predators, and Draisaitl has been a large part of their success against Nashville. The Predators will have their work cut out for them in this upcoming game, and it will be interesting to see if they can finally find a way to slow down the Oilers' star player. The Predators and Oilers have a long history together, with both teams having tasted success in the past. The Oilers are a tough team with some great players, especially Draisaitl. It will be a tough test for the Predators, but one that they hope to pass. Will the Predators find a way to stop Draisaitl, or will he continue to dominate them? It's a question that only time will tell.