Predators vs. Avalanche Prediction
The Nashville Predators lost a stunner at home as heavy favorites in Game 5 as the Colorado Avalanche scored a couple of late goals to avoid elimination. Can Nashville win tonight as it enters as another big favorite, this time on the road?
Game Snapshot
75 Nashville Predators at 76 Colorado Avalanche
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Predators are listed as a -175 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Avalanche are a +155 underdog, while the over-under is set at 6 goals. As of Sunday morning, 56 percent of public bets are coming in on visiting Nashville. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Hammond outstanding in net
Andrew Hammond only started one regular season game this season for Colorado and was only pressed into duty for Game 5 due to injuries to Semyon Varlamov and Jonathan Bernier. Not much was expected of Hammond as the Predators were massive favorites and had a high team total set by oddsmakers. Instead, Hammond was incredibly sharp in saving 44 of 45 shots to lead the Avs to the 2-1 upset victory. Nashville took a 1-0 lead when it finally solved Hammond midway through the third period, but the Avs scored goals by Gabriel Landeskog and Sven Andrighetto to steal the win. The score by Andrighetto came with 1:28 remaining in regulation. Although Bernier (lower body) is listed as questionable, the hot hand of Hammond will almost certainly remain in net for Game 6 as Colorado looks for another improbable win.
Bonino almost plays role of hero
Nashville center Nick Bonino had 12 goals and 13 assists during the regular season in 71 games, modest numbers but he carved out an important role as the Preds showed strong line depth all season in taking the top seed in the Western Conference. In Game 5, Bonino recorded his first goal of the postseason with 9:42 remaining to give Nashville a 1-0 advantage that very nearly carried the hosts to victory. Unfortunately for Bonino along with his Predators teammates and Nashville bettors, Colorado scored with under five minutes left to tie it and found the game-winner minutes later.
NHL Betting Trends
Nashville
The Predators are 9-2 in their last 11 conference quarterfinals games. Nashville is 7-1 in its last eight games in Colorado.
Colorado
The Avalanche are 0-5 in their last five games following a win. Colorado is 3-14 in the last 17 meetings overall.
Prediction:
I don’t want to call the Avalanche lucky because they most definitely earned that win by outplaying Nashville, but if that game is played another five times chances are the Predators win all five. While Colorado is in a better spot here being at home, it’s difficult to believe Hammond can possibly turn in another effort resembling his last one. I believe the Predators will eventually overwhelm the Avs tonight, whether it happens early or late.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: NASHVILLE PREDATORS -175