Two teams squaring off for the second time this season, the Nashville Predators and the Vancouver Canucks meet at Rogers Arena in a Western Conference matchup. The action gets going at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 13, and it will be broadcasted live on Sportsnet.
Nashville Predators vs. Vancouver Canucks Odds
Nashville (-135) is currently favored over Vancouver (+115), and the oddsmakers have put the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-110 for the over, -110 for the under).
Nashville is 18-11 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 5.8 units this season. 16 of its matches have gone over the total, while 13 have gone under and none have pushed. The Preds are 7-7 SU on the road in 2017-18.
Nashville has converted on 26.1 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places them in the top-5 among NHL teams. On the other hand, it has the sixth-best penalty kill in the league, and the team’s successfully killed off 82.9 percent of all penalties.
For the team as a whole, Nashville has been whistled for penalties 5.4 times per game overall this season, and 4.2 per game over its last five road outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties 9.6 minutes per contest over their last five road games.
Averaging 30.4 saves per game with a .926 save percentage, Pekka Rinne (16-7-3) has been the primary option in goal for Nashville this year. If head coach Peter Laviolette decides to rest him, however, the team might roll with Juuse Saros (2-4-1 record, .890 save percentage, 3.43 goals against average).
Filip Forsberg and Kyle Turris will both look to continue their strong seasons for the visiting Predators. Forsberg has 29 points via 14 goals and 15 assists, and has recorded two or more points seven times. Turris has six goals and 16 assists to his nameand has logged a point in 13 games.
On the other side of the rink, Vancouver is 14-17 straight up (SU) and has netted 1.3 units for moneyline bettors this year. 16 of its games have gone over the total, while 15 have gone under and none have pushed. The team is 5-9 SU at home this year.
Vancouver has converted on 20.6 percent of its power play opportunities this year, a figure that places it in the top-10 among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill is ranked 20th overall, and it’s successfully killed off 79.8 percent of all opponent power plays.
Vancouver players have been sent to the penalty box 3.9 times per game in total this season, and 2.8 per game over their last five at home. The team’s been forced to stave off opponent power plays just 6.8 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.
Jacob Markstrom has stopped 26.1 shots per game as the primary option in goal for Vancouver. Markstrom has eight wins, 14 losses, and three OT losses to his name and has registered a 2.56 goals against average and a .911 save percentage this season.
The home team will be led on offense by Brock Boeser (16 goals, 12 assists).
Nashville Predators vs. Vancouver Canucks Free Picks
Predictions: SU Winner – Predators, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Trends
Four of Nashville’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 2-2 in those games and 3-3 overall in shootouts this season.
The under has hit in three of Vancouver’s last five games.
Vancouver has averaged 2.6 goals per game overall this year, but is averaging 1.3 goals per contest over its three-game losing skid.
Five of Nashville’s last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 4-1 in those games.
