The Anaheim Ducks embark on a five-game road swing as they make their first stop at the Bridgestone Arena to face off against the Nashville Predators. Anaheim is seeking its first three-game winning streak since it opened the season 3-0 but it is a +190 underdog in tonight’s game with Central Division-leading Nashville coming back at -235 with the total Sportsbook at 5.5 goals.
- Nashville is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in eight of Nashville’s last 12 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in nine of Anaheim’s last nine games.
Anaheim vs Nashville Game Center
Predators are a tough team to beat at home
Nashville had its three-game winning streak come to an end on Friday when it took a 6-2 loss on the road vs St. Louis. However, it still has a winning streak intact and it is looking for its sixth win in a row on home ice. Overall this season, the Preds are 8-3-0 at Bridgestone Arena with an average winning margin of 2.25. They average 3.30 goals per game this year which is the ninth-most in the league, although that drops slightly to 3.27 gpg at home. However, they don’t allow any goals at home, surrendering just 2.18 goals per game which is the fifth-fewest and have a goal differential of 1.09 at home which is the fifth-best in the NHL.
Meanwhile, the Preds’ defense is allowing just 28.5 shots per game at home which is the fifth-fewest in the league, making it easier for projected starter Pekka Rinne. The Finland native is having a remarkable start to the season, posting a 9-2-1 record with a stifling 1.66 goals against average and a .944 save percentage, and has won his last three starts. He allowed one goal on 30 shots in a shootout loss to the Ducks at the Honda Center earlier this month.
Duck continue to have issues finding the back of the net
Anaheim scored four goals for just its third time this season on Wednesday to begin its current two-game winning streak. It has been an absolute disaster offensively for the Ducks this season as it is averaging just 2.17 goals per game which is the second-fewest in the NHL and that trend gets even worse when they hit the road as they average just 1.89 gpg which, again, is the second fewest in the league. In those away games, they are directing a measly 24.3 shots towards their opponents’ goal which is the fewest in the NHL, 2.5 shots fewer than the next closest team Dallas.
Meanwhile, defensively they are giving up 36.9 shots per game on the road which is the second-most in the league and a -12.6-shot differential which is the worst. Luckily for Anaheim, its starting goalie John Gibson has played exceptionally well, holding an 8-7-4 record with a 2.49 goals against average and a .928 save percentage. The Pennsylvania native is 3-1-1 in his last five starts, including a 2-1 shootout victory over Nashville on November 12, he allowed one goal on 35 shots in the triumph.
UNDER trending for this game
This game features a good defensive team vs a horrible offensive team and Sportsbook has the total Sportsbook at 5.5 goals. Nashville allows just 2.18 home goals per game this season, while Anaheim scores just 1.89 road goals this year. The total has gone UNDER in four of the Predators’ last five home games with only one game going OVER 5.5 goals. Meanwhile, the Ducks have gone UNDER in nine of their last 12 games with only three games going OVER 5.5 goals. This is just a perfect storm for an UNDER.
My take on Anaheim vs Nashville
I really like the UNDER 5.5 goals for this game. The two teams skated against each other just a couple weeks ago and needed a shootout to break a 1-1 tie. Pekka Rinne has been absolutely remarkable this season and Nashville as a whole are not allowing any shots or goals. Meanwhile, Anaheim is the second-worst scoring team in the NHL and it doesn’t take many shots to try and reverse its bad luck around the net. I expect another tight-checking, low-scoring affair in tonight’s game and I think the UNDER 5.5 goals is a lock.
