The Nashville Predators aim to avoid becoming the third division Sportsbook to be eliminated in these playoffs, following the early exits of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Calgary Flames, as Game 6 against the Dallas Stars goes from American Airlines Center. Nashville claimed back-to-back wins in Games 2 and 3, but Dallas fired back in Games 4 and 5 and now carries a 3-2 series lead into this contest. The Stars are a -125 favorite to close out the set with the Preds coming back at +105 and the total Sportsbook at 5 goals.
Predators vs Stars Game Center
Standout Stats
- Nashville and Dallas split Games 3 and 4 at American Airlines Center. The Predators picked up the first contest there 3-2, but the Stars defended home ice in the second match with a 5-1 triumph. Dallas has scored five goals in each of the last two contests and Nashville hasn’t scored more than three goals at all this series.
- The total has been set at 5 tonight, which follows suit from the first five games, but only one match has gone UNDER 5 with the O/U record going 2-1-2.
- The Predators have been fairly undisciplined in this series, handing the Stars 21 power-play opportunities compared to their own 11 chances. Dallas has buried four goals over its 21 extra-man opportunities, while Nashville has yet to tally a power-play marker.
- Pekka Rinne hasn’t been providing much help for his Predators between the pipes, sitting second-last in the playoffs with a 3.55 goals-against average and third-last with a .883 save percentage. This is a key factor because the man at the other end of the ice, Ben Bishop, has been remarkable, sporting a 2.18 GAA and an impressive .935 save percentage. Preds backup goalie Juuse Saros came in for relief in Game 4 and surrendered one goal on 21 shots over 45:29 of ice time and if Rinne is shaky early, Saros may be in the crease before you know it.
- Dallas’ top line of Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Alexander Radulov has been terrorizing Nashville, combining for seven goals and 15 points in this series. Meanwhile, Nashville’s top line of Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson have combined for just two goals and four points.
My Best Bet for Nashville vs Dallas
Dallas Moneyline
For the second straight year, Pekka Rinne is having difficulties in the playoffs. Last season, he had a 3.07 GAA and a .904 save percentage which is much better than this year’s stats. Dallas’ top line has been nearly impossible to contain and I anticipate them to set the tone early to try to catch Nashville on its heels on the road.
