The Nashville Predators and the Winnipeg Jets face off for a winner-take-all Game 7 of the NHL’s Western Conference Semis. The first puck will drop at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 10, and fans at home can catch the game live on NBC Sports Network.
Winnipeg Jets vs. Nashville Predators Odds
Winnipeg (+135) is entering this one as the underdog to Nashville (-155), and the Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 6 goals (-105 for the over, -115 for the under). Those lines have moved after originally opening at -110 for either.
The Predators are 60-34 straight up (SU) and have netted money line bettors 12.8 units this year. That win percentage ranked third in the NHL so far in the early season, is a solid improvement compared to what the team managed during last year’s regular season (41-41). Of the team’s 94 games this season, 47 have gone over the total, while 46 have gone under and just one has pushed. The team’s 31-16 SU at home this season.
Nashville’s offense attempted 32.6 shots per game in the regular season, resulting in 3.3 goals per contest (ranked seventh overall in the NHL). In the postseason, the team’s climbed to an average of 35.8 shots on goal 3.3 goals per game.
Following a regular season where they found the net on 21.1 percent of all power-play opportunities (the 14th-rated), the Predators have been able to score on 20.6 percent of their extra-man advantages in the postseason. Their penalty kill has gone from 82.2 percent in the regular season to 84.2 percent in the playoffs.
Averaging 28.6 saves per game with a .924 save percentage, Pekka Rinne (49-22-4) has been the top goalkeeper for the Predators this season. If they, however, decide to rest him, head coach Peter Laviolette may roll with Juuse Saros (12-17-17 record, .927 save percentage, 2.34 goals against average).
The Preds will continue seeking offensive production out of Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson. Forsberg (79 points) has tallied 33 goals and 46 assists and has recorded multiple points on 22 separate occasions this year. Arvidsson has 34 goals and 36 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 47 games.
Winnipeg Jets
On the other side of the rink, Winnipeg is 59-34 straight up (SU) and has earned 19.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 93 regular season contests, 46 of its games have gone under the total. They also have 45 that have gone over and just two have pushed. Winnipeg’s 23-23 SU as an away team this season.
Winnipeg has converted on 23.4 percent of its power-play chances this season. That is a mark that’s good enough for fifth-best in the league. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked ninth overall. It’s successfully killed off 81.1 percent of all penalties.
Winnipeg’s players have been called for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season. They also have 2.8 per game over their last five road outings. The team’s been forced to defend opponent power plays just 7.0 minutes per game over their last five outings.
Connor Hellebuyck (28.2 saves per game) has been the primary choice in the net for Winnipeg. Hellebuyck has 51 wins, 27 losses, and 10 OT losses to his credit. He also has registered a .924 save percentage and 2.36 goals against average this year.
Blake Wheeler (26 goals, 78 assists) has been one of the top playmakers on offense for the visiting Jets.
Winnipeg Jets at Nashville Predators Betting Picks
Prediction: SU Winner – Jets, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes
The over has hit in three of Nashville’s last five games.
Winnipeg has managed 32.0 shot attempts per game over its last five road games. Nashville is averaging 41.4 shots per game over its last five home outings.
Power plays and penalty kills could have a key role tonight. The Jets are 26-12 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than their opponent. They also are 39-22 in games where they’re in the penalty box for fewer than 10 total minutes. The Predators are 21-8 when they serve fewer penalty minutes than the opposition and 29-18 in games where they’re in the box for less than 10 minutes.
Nashville skaters have forced 8.8 takeaways per game over its last five home games, an improvement over its season average of 8.0 takeaways per game (ranked 11th in the NHL).
Winnipeg is putting up 3.6 goals per game over the team’s five-game winning streak.
Winnipeg is ranked 16th in the NHL with 7.0 takeaways per game. That figure has trended down recently, however, as it has managed 6.2 takeaways over its last 10 games and 5.0 takeaways over its last five.
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