The Colorado Avalanche hope to even the series at one game apiece at Bridgestone Arena in Game 2 of the NHL postseason’s first round. NBC will showcase the game, and the opening face-off is at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 14.
Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators Odds
Nashville (-340) is currently favored over Colorado (+270) and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at 6 goals (-130 over, +110 under).
Netting moneyline bettors 15.3 units, Nashville is 54-29 straight up (SU) overall this year. That winning percentage, ranked second in the league so far in the early season, is a solid improvement compared to how the team performed during the 2016-17 season (41-41). Through 83 regular season matches, 42 of the team’s games have gone over the total, while 40 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 29-13 SU at home this season.
The Predators have converted on 21.4 percent of their power play opportunities this year, a mark that’s right around league average. On the other hand, their penalty kill is rated sixth overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 82.1 percent of all penalties.
The Predators, as a collective unit, have been penalized 4.5 times per game overall this season, and 3.4 per game over their last five match ups. The team has been forced to defend opponent power plays for just 8.4 minutes per game over their last five outings, overall.
Averaging 28.9 saves per game with a .927 save percentage, Pekka Rinne (43-17-4) has been the primary option in goal for the Preds this year. If head coach Peter Laviolette chooses to give him a breather, however, Nashville might turn to Juuse Saros (12-14-14 record, .925 save percentage, 2.45 goals against average).
Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson will each lead the offensive attack for the Predators. Forsberg (66 points) is up to 28 goals and 38 assists and has recorded multiple points 18 times this year. Arvidsson has 29 goals and 33 assists to his name and has notched a point in 43 games.
On the other bench, Colorado is 43-40 straight up (SU) and has earned 8.3 units for moneyline bettors this season. Through 83 regular season outings, 43 of its games have gone over the total, while 33 have gone under and just seven have pushed. As an away team, the Avalanche are 15-27 SU.
The Avalanche have scored on 21.8 percent of their power play chances this year, a mark that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fourth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.0 percent of all opponent power plays.
Colorado’s players have been whistled for penalties 3.9 times per game this season, and 2.5 per game over their last ten games. The team’s had to stave off opponent power plays just 6.3 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Semyon Varlamov (28.8 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Colorado. Varlamov owns a 26-25-6 record, and has registered a .920 save percentage and 2.68 goals against average this year.
Nathan MacKinnon (39 goals, 59 assists) has been one of the primary facilitators on offense for the visiting Avalanche.
Colorado Avalanche at Nashville Predators Betting Predictions
Prediction: SU Winner – Predators, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
The over has hit in three of Nashville’s last five outings.
Over Colorado’s last ten games, seven of them have been decided by two or more goals (the team is 2-5 in those games).
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