Jets vs. Predators Prediction
The Winnipeg Jets and the top-seeded Nashville Predators open their Eastern Conference semifinals series tonight. Will Nashville take quick control of the series as the favorite on its home ice?
Game Snapshot
83 Winnipeg Jets at 84 Nashville Predators
Friday, April 26, 2018
Bridgestone Arena at 8PM ET
TV: NBCSN
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Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, the Predators are a -150 favorite to win on the moneyline. The Jets are a +130 underdog, while the total sits at 5.5 goals. As of Friday morning, exactly 50 percent of public bets have been placed on both Winnipeg and Nashville. Check out our NHL Public Betting Page for the latest info.
Hellebuyck up to playoff challenge
Winnipeg entered the postseason with a relatively unchallenged goalie in Connor Hellebuyck as he had never before started a playoff game before the series against the Minnesota Wild. He was stellar in four of the five games, only having a hiccup in Game 3 when he allowed six goals on 16 shots. But his best hockey came in the final two games to close out the series as he recorded back-to-back shutouts, totaling 30 saves in each game. He carries a 1.93 goals-against average and .924 save percentage into the series with Nashville. He had a 2.36 GAA and .924 save percentage during the regular season, going 44-11-9.
Watson, Sissons unlikely heroes
The leading point-getters for the Predators in their six-game series with Avalanche were not who you would guess first or second. Left winger Austin Watson had four goals and three assists in the series, while center Colton Sissons contributed three goals and four assists. Watson tied for the team lead in goals in the first round with star left winger Filip Forsberg. In 76 regular season games, Watson contributed 14 goals and five assists. Sissons had nine goals and 18 assists in 81 regular season contests. That a pair of role players have had such an impact thus far in the postseason is a great sign for Nashville going forward.
NHL Betting Trends
Winnipeg
The Jets are 1-4 in their last five games in Nashville. The over is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
Nashville
The over is 3-0-1 in the last four Predators games after scoring five or more goals in their previous game. The over is 4-1 in the last five meetings overall.
Prediction:
Winnipeg actually looked stronger than Nashville in the first round against a better opponent, but expect the Predators to take their game up a notch this series. I expect this to go at least six games, but look for the hosts to get the first punch in here.
NHL DAILY PREDICTION: NASHVILLE PREDATORS -150