Avalanche vs. Predators Pick
The Nashville Predators secured the NHL’s best record this season and are one home win over the Colorado Avalanche away from advancing to the Western Conference semifinals. Will Nashville slam the door shut on the Colorado season in Game 5 tonight?
Game Snapshot
9 Colorado Avalanche at 10 Nashville Predators
Friday, April 20, 2018
Bridgestone Arena at 9:30PM ET
TV: NBCSN
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Predators are a -325 favorite on the moneyline. The Avalanche are a +252 underdog, while the over-under is set at 6 goals. As of Friday afternoon, 76 percent of public bets are pouring in on host Nashville. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Sissons flying under the radar
Game 4 saw Predators star Filip Forsberg notch a goal and an assist, while Pekka Rinne stopped 31 of 33 shots to record his third playoff win. But center Colton Sissons also had another strong game, scoring his third goal of the postseason to give Nashville a 2-0 lead in the second period. It was his fourth straight game with a point as he tallied an assist in Game 2. On the season, Sissons had nine goals and 18 assists in 81 games played.
Bernier ruled out Friday
Colorado was already down to its backup goalie in Jonathan Bernier due to the knee injury that is keeping Semyon Varlamov out for the first round. But with Bernier going down during Game 4 due to a lower body injury after stopping 23 of 26 shots, the Avs were forced to turn to Andrew Hammond in net. To his credit, Hammond stopped all eight shots sent his way and should have a reasonable amount of confidence heading into tonight’s elimination game. Hammond only started one game during the regular season with the Avs, giving up two goals on 33 shots in a 2-1 home loss to the Flyers on March 28.
NHL Betting Trends
Colorado
The Avalanche are 1-5 in their last six conference quarterfinals games. The over is 19-6-1 in the last 26 meetings.
Nashville
The Predators are 22-7 in their last 29 home games versus Colorado. The over is 15-5-1 in the last 21 meetings in Nashville.
Prediction:
A backup goalie plus a desperate Colorado team. This looks like a recipe for disaster. If Colorado falls behind and then sells out in the offensive zone, it’s probably going to lead to a high-scoring game. Either way, I don’t trust Hammond in such a crucial game. While the Predators are strong defensive, I think a few might slip by Rinne tonight. We might be looking at something in the neighborhood of a 4-3 or 5-4 game. Take the over here as it’s been a good play most times in this series.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: AVALANCHE/PREDATORS OVER 6