3 Edmonton Oilers takeaways: Draisaitl's dominance vs. Preds continues, Hyman finally scores, and more

The Edmonton Oilers are playing without superstar captain Connor McDavid, who suffered a lower-body injury earlier in the week and is projected to miss the next two to three weeks in recovery.

The Oilers took on the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena, hoping to rebound from their embarrassing 6-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Thanks to some timely scoring from their top guns along with depth players, they returned to the win column with a 5-1 triumph.

First-year Oilers forward Viktor Arvidsson, who was signed as a free agent, opened the scoring just 37 seconds after the opening faceoff with his first goal of the year and his first in an Edmonton uniform.

Nashville promptly responded thanks to Filip Forsberg, who beat goaltender Calvin Pickard with a quick wrist shot while the Predators enjoyed a man advantage. But five minutes later, veteran Corey Perry gave the Oilers the lead again with his second goal of the season.

Sniper Leon Draisaitl, whom the Oilers will rely heavily upon in McDavid's absence, tallied his seventh goal of the year in the second period and followed that up with another early in the third period.

Finally, Zach Hyman found the back of the net for the first time this season by beating Nashville's Juuse Saros on a breakaway attempt; he scored 54 goals last season but had yet to score in 2024-25.

Pickard finished the game with 26 saves, while Saros had 24 saves.

Let's take a look at the three biggest takeaways from Thursday's game at Bridgestone Arena.

3 takeaways from Edmonton Oilers' 5-1 victory over Nashville Predators

#3. Edmonton's depth scoring came through

The Oilers finally got a goal from Arvidsson, who was signed to be a key contributor to their offense. Additionally, their depth carried the way thanks to Perry's goal, along with the first NHL point from Noah Philp, called up from the AHL due to McDavid's injury.

For Edmonton to remain competitive without McDavid, they'll need continual contributions from their depth players along with those expected to be regulars on the scoresheet.

#2. Leon Draisaitl continued his dominance against Nashville

Playing against the Predators seems to agree with Draisaitl, as his two goals on Thursday night gave him 27 goals in his career in 27 games played against them.

With McDavid absent until at least midway through November, Draisaitl will be looked upon by the Oilers to provide a scoring touch to compensate for the major hole in the lineup.

#1. Zach Hyman broke an 11 regular-season game goalless drought

Hyman enjoyed a career-best 54 goals during the 2023-24 regular season and followed that up with 16 goals during the Stanley Cup Playoffs as he helped his team come within a single victory of a title.

However, he'd failed to light the lamp in each of his first 10 games of the current season and even failed to pick up an assist for his first seven. The Oilers are hoping that his goal against the Predators will boost his confidence moving forward.

The Oilers next take the ice in the legendary Battle of Alberta against their provincial rival Calgary Flames on Sunday.