Predators vs. Avalanche Prediction
The Colorado Avalanche have fallen into a 2-0 deficit in their first round series against the top-seeded Nashville Predators. Can the Avalanche notch the upset win tonight as the series moves to Colorado?
Game Snapshot
31 Nashville Predators at 32 Colorado Avalanche
Monday, April 16, 2018
Pepsi Center at 10PM ET
TV: NBCSN
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Predators are a -160 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Avalanche are a +140 underdog, while the total is set at 5.5 goals. As of Monday afternoon, 52 percent of public bets have sided with visiting Nashville. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Watson a surprise contributor
Nashville left winger Austin Watson only accounted for 14 goals and five assists in 76 games played during the regular season, but did score a goal in the regular season finale to head into the playoffs on a strong note. Watson has proceeded to score a goal in each of the first two Predators wins this series and added a Game 1 assist. The playoffs are always about finding a role player who steps into a prominent role and so far, Watson has fit that bill. It’s probably safe to say he won’t keep up this level of production going forward, but regardless he’s helped the Predators get off to a very strong start in the postseason.
Avalanche playing respectable hockey
Colorado didn’t get annihilated in either game at Nashville, falling 5-2 and 5-4. In Game 1, a late surge by the Preds helped them pull away. Game 2 was close for the duration and soon after Nashville made it a two-goal game late, Colorado answered with a goal by Alexander Kerfoot with 36 seconds left to put a scare into the hosts. Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog each had a goal and an assist. The biggest issue for the Avs is goaltending, where backup Jonathan Bernier has allowed a total of eight goals in two games. The Predators also have two empty-net tallies. IF the Avalanche are to steal Game 3, Bernier must be better.
NHL Betting Trends
Nasvhille
The Predators are 6-0 in their last six meetings in Colorado. Nashville is 8-0 in its last eight conference quarterfinals games. The over is 4-0 in the last four Predators games against a team with a winning record.
Colorado
The over is 6-1-1 in the last eight meetings in Colorado. The over is 21-8-2 in the last 31 meetings overall. Colorado is 0-4 in its last four conference quarterfinals games.
Prediction:
I just don’t think Colorado quite has what it takes to get back in this series even at home. Maybe if Semyon Varlamov was in goal, it would be different. But I can’t trust Bernier to shut down a potent offense, while I feel the Preds defense is probably going to improve after a lackluster Game 2 performance.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: NASHVILLE PREDATORS -160