The Nashville Predators aim to make their second straight Stanley Cup final but to do that, they’ll need to go through the Colorado Avalanche first. The Preds were on a tear to wrap up the season, finishing 19-6 SU in their final 25 games, and won the Presidents’ Trophy with the best record in the NHL. Nashville opened as a huge -270 favorite to knock off the Avs tonight.
Nashville should be one of the first teams to know to not overlook a wild-card team. The Predators were in the exact same spot as the Avalanche last season and knocked off the No. 1-seeded Blackhawks. However, where Nashville may be different than Chicago is goaltending as Pekka Rinne has been dominant in net for the Predators, finishing fifth in goals-against average at 2.31 and leading the league with eight shutouts. Nashville has also dominated this matchup, winning 10 straight games vs the Avalanche and outscoring Colorado 42-22 in those contests.
The Avalanche limped into the playoffs, dropping five of their last seven games, and needed to knock off St. Louis in game 82 just to clinch their spot in the postseason. Goaltender Jonathan Bernier will need to stand on his head if Colorado has any intention of knocking off the Predators as he has been underwhelming in his last 10 starts, allowing 3.8 goals per game. Hart Trophy candidate Nathan MacKinnon should pace the Avs in scoring in this series and lit the lamp twice in four games vs the Preds this season.
The total opened at 5.5 and trends are pointing to a goalfest as the OVER has hit in 11 of the last 13 games in this matchup with an average combined score of 6.6 goals per game in that stretch.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The visiting Colorado Avalanche opened as +200 moneyline underdogs in this one at most online sportsbooks tracked at OddsShark, including Sportsbook. The total opened at 6 for those preferring OVER/UNDER betting; watch for the line updates during the day at Sportsbook.
OddsShark computer prediction formulas pick a 3-2.8 win for the Predators on Thursday. View the computer score prediction and who will win the pick on the moneyline for all upcoming NHL matchups here.
Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Nashville Predators currently sport a record of 53-18-11. The Colorado Avalanche are 43-30-9. Betting totals have seen the Predators post a 41-40-1 OVER/UNDER record this season, while the Avalanche have gone 42-32-8 against the number. Stay Informed: follow us on Twitter for odds specials, betting line moves and Nashville vs Colorado injuries news.
The NHL Power Rankings show a disparity between these teams, with the Predators rated this week at No. 14 and the Avalanche sitting at No. 4.
Statistical Matchup
The game also pits Nashville's No. 7-ranked offense, averaging 3.26 goals per game, against a Avalanche defense that ranks No. 14 at 2.89 goals allowed. The Predators power play is averaging 21.17% while the Avalanche defense kills off 83.27% of their penalties.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
In their last action, Colorado was a 5-2 Sportsbook at home against the Blues. Bettors on Colorado at -145 on the moneyline collected their winnings from that game, while the total score (7) sent OVER bettors home happy as well.
The Predators were a 4-2 Sportsbook in their most recent outing at home against the Blue Jackets. That made Sportsbooks of bettors who got Nashville at -160 on the moneyline, while the total score (6) was good news for OVER bettors.
Next Betting Matchups
Colorado at Nashville, Saturday, April 14