The Nashville Predators and the Colorado Avalanche battle at Bridgestone Arena in Game 1 of the postseason’s first round. This one gets going at 9:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 12 and it can be caught live on NBC Sports Network.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators Odds
Nashville (+245) is currently the underdog to Nashville (-290), and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-115 for the over, -105 for the under).
Nashville is 53-29 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 14.3 units this season. That winning percentage, ranked second in the NHL so far this season, is a solid improvement compared to how the team performed during last year’s regular season (41-41). Among the team’s 82 games this season, 41 have gone over the total, while 40 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team is 28-13 SU at home this year.
The Predators have converted on 21.2 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked sixth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 81.9 percent of all penalties.
The Predators, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.5 times per game overall this season, 4.6 per game over their last five contests total, and 4.8 per game over their last five at home. The team has been forced to kill penalties for a whopping 14.6 minutes per game over their last five outings, overall.
Averaging 28.9 saves per game with a .927 save percentage, Pekka Rinne (42-17-4) has been the best goalkeeper for Nashville this season. If Nashville decides to give him the night off, however, the team may turn to Juuse Saros (12-14-14 record, .925 save percentage, 2.45 goals against average).
Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson will both look to continue their strong seasons for the Predators. Forsberg (64 points) is up to 26 goals and 38 assists and has recorded multiple points in 17 different games this year. Arvidsson has 29 goals and 32 assists to his credit and has notched a point in 42 contests.
On the other side of the rink, Colorado is 43-39 straight up (SU) and has earned 9.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. A total of 42 of its games have gone over the total, while 33 have gone under and just seven have pushed. The Avalanche are 15-26 SU as the road team this season.
The Avalanche have converted on 22.0 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s good enough for eighth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fifth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.3 percent of all opponent power plays.
Colorado’s skaters have been whistled for penalties 3.9 times per game in total this season, and 2.5 per game over their past ten match ups. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 5.5 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Semyon Varlamov (2.68 goals against average and .920 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Colorado. Varlamov is averaging 28.8 saves per game and owns a 26-25-6 record.
Nathan MacKinnon (39 goals, 58 assists) will lead the offensive counter for the visiting Avalanche.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators Betting Predictions
Pick: SU Winner – Predators, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
The over has hit in three of Nashville’s last five games.
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