It may not be a ratings grabber for the TV networks, but the series between Nashville and Anaheim is turning into a good one. The Ducks rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to beat the Predators 5-3 in Game 2 and it’s a good thing they did. If they had been heading East in a two-to-nothing series hole, it’s likely this best-of-seven would be all but over.
Anaheim has been the most unpredictable team in the bracket but one thing that they’ve done that you can set your watch to this postseason is score goals. They’ve averaged 3.23 goals scored per game (more than any other team) and they’ve needed nearly every one of them as they’ve earned six of their nine playoff wins by exactly one goal.
This is a club that just won’t go away and that cause has effected a 5-2 straight-up record when the Ducks get scored on first. The crowd in Nashville is going to be insane tonight and I expect that to translate to the Preds grabbing an early lead on shaky Anaheim goaltending that’s been the worst of any of the remaining teams.
The Ducks are likely going to have to score three or more in order to take a series lead tonight and with the total Sportsbook at 5, that means I think the game is probably going OVER. Pekka Rinne had his worst game of the playoffs in Game 2 and with the Finn knocked off his inhuman pedestal, he’s vulnerable.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
Sportsbooks such as Sportsbook had the Nashville Predators as -150 moneyline favorites in this particular NHL betting matchup earlier. The over under total, meanwhile, was set early at 5 before betting started to move the line at Sportsbook.
Odds Shark prediction models pick the Predators to win this game 3.4-2.4. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Anaheim Ducks vs Nashville Predators Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Nashville Predators sport a record of 50-32-12 heading into this matchup, while the Anaheim Ducks sit at 55-26-14 on the season. The OVER/UNDER records are 43-40-11 for the Predators and 35-39-21 for the Ducks. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Nashville vs Anaheim injuries news.
The NHL Power Rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Nashville Predators rated this week at No. 22 and the Anaheim Ducks sitting at No. 9.
Statistical Matchup
Offensively, the game matches up the Nashville Predators No. 10-ranked offense (2.91 goals per game) against a Anaheim Ducks defense that ranks No. 6 at 2.52 goals per game allowed. The Predators Sportsbook has clicked at a 18.43% rate while the Ducks have a 83.08% rate on the penalty kill.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Next Betting Matchups
Anaheim at Nashville, Thursday, May 18th