The Canucks and Predators are set to face off at 7:30 ET on TBS. The Predators will host the game at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 5.5 goals, and the Predators are -1.5 goal favorite to win at home against the Canucks.

VANCOUVER CANUCKS VS NASHVILLE PREDATORS BETTING PICK

The Pick: Nashville Predators -1.5

This game will be played at Bridgestone Arena at 7:30 ET on Friday, April 26th.

WHY BET THE NASHVILLE PREDATORS:

  • The Predators enter this game as 1.5-goal favorites and in our projections and we anticipate them winning by a score of 4-3.
  • Take the Predators on the moneyline
  • On the spread, we like Canucks (+1.5)

Is a Win at Nashville Possible for the Canucks?

As the third-place team in the Western Conference, the Vancouver Canucks have been the top team in the Pacific Division all season long. With an overall record of 50-23-9, Vancouver has 109 points heading into their final game of the regular season. On the road, the Canucks have gone 23-14-4 this year.

Over their last ten games, Vancouver has gone 5-5, and they have gone 3-2 over their last five games. As the underdog, the Canucks have gone 15-9-3 this season. In the Western Conference, Vancouver has gone 29-21, and they have been favored in 55 of their 82 games.

On the season, the Canucks have gone 41-41 against the puck line and have a road puck line mark of 20-21. So far, Vancouver has 31 wins by multiple goals and has gone 3-7 vs. the puck line in their last 10 games.

Overall, the team’s average scoring margin is +.7 goals per game, and their average scoring differential on the road is +.3 goals per contest. In their 55 games as the favorite, the Canucks have gone 22-33 vs. the puck line.

Games involving Vancouver have an average of 6.1 goals per game this season. Their average over/under line is 6.3. In terms of their over/under performance, the Canucks come in with a record of 41-37-4.

Although Vancouver has a straight up record of 1-2 in their last three road games, they have not held up as well vs the puck line going 1-2. The team averaged 2 goals per game in these games.

On offense, the Canucks are averaging 3.4 goals per game which is 6th in the NHL. In terms of shots on goal per game, they are 26th in the league. This season, the Canucks are 27-9 when getting more shots on goal than their opponents. And in games with fewer shots on goal, they have a 22-13 record.

Vancouver will be looking for a good game from Brock Boeser who leads the team in scoring with 40 goals, ranking 17th in the NHL. In addition to his goal scoring, Boeser has 33 assists this season.

The Predators defense is currently 11th in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 30.4 shots per game against Nashville. In terms of shutouts, they come into the game ranked 18th with 4 shutouts.

Entering the game, goalie Casey DeSmith has started 27 games this season. His current record stands at 12-9, and his save percentage is 0.569%.

Can the Predators Deliver Being Favored at Home?

As the sixth seed in the Western Conference, the Predators finished the regular season with a record of 47-30-5, good for 99 points. In the Central Division, Nashville finished fourth, going 16-10 against divisional opponents.

At home this season, the Predators went 23-16-2 and were favored in 39 of their 82 games. Over their last ten games, Nashville has gone 5-5, and they come into tonight’s game having won two straight games when they were favored.

When favored, the Predators have gone 17-22 on the puck line so far this season. Overall, Nashville has gone 44-38 vs. the puck line, including 29 wins by multiple goals.

At home, the Predators have gone 20-21 vs. the puck line and have an average scoring margin of +.2 goals per game. Over their last ten home games, Nashville has gone just 5-5 vs. the puck line.

This season, Nashville’s games have an average of 6.3 goals per game. The average over/under number for the season is 6.2. The Predators come in with an over/under performance of 37-37-8.

In their last three games away from home, the Canucks have a straight up record of 1-2 while going 1-2 vs the spread. The team’s offense averaged 2 goals per game in these contests.

For their offensive performance, the Predators come in averaging 3.2 goals per game this season, which is 10th in the NHL. In the category of shots on goal per game, they are 8th in the league. Nashville’s offense is currently ranked 9th in power play goals. When it comes to shorthanded goals, they are 12th in the league.

Nashville’s leading scorer is Filip Forsberg. So far, he has 48 goals which is 6th in the NHL. In addition to his goal scoring, Forsberg has 46 assists this season.

Defensively, the Predators come into the season ranked 11th in goals allowed. Opponents are averaging 30.4 shots per game against Nashville. For the season, they are ranked 18th in shutouts, coming in with 4 shutouts.

Goalie Juuse Saros gets the start and has made 64 starts this season. His record at this point is 35-24, and his save percentage is 1.0%.