Last Updated on March 7, 2017 4:58 pm by Brad Burns
Red-hot Forsberg leads Nashville into Cali
Decimated by injuries, Anaheim’s far from a sure bet to qualify for the playoffs. Can surging Nashville make things even tougher on Randy Carlyle’s squad tonight?
The two squads will drop the puck at 10 p.m. ET on the West Coast. Online sports book Bovada.lv gives the Ducks odds -115 to handle their business on home ice. The Predators, on the other hand, enter the Honda Center as -105 underdogs.
NHL Quick Links: Free Matchup Reports | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Scoreboard | Betting Trends
Since defeating the Pacific Division-leading Sharks on Jan. 31, Anaheim has gone 5-7-1. Perhaps the club’s biggest bugaboo pertains to special teams. With former Hart Trophy winner Corey Perry looking like a shell of his former self, the Ducks can claim one power-play goal over the past 13 games. Physical problems for center Antoine Vermette and netminder John Gibson certainly aren’t helping matters, either.
The Music City outlook seems a lot sunnier. Nashville went 8-4-1 last month, putting itself right in the thick of the Western Conference chase. Filip Forsberg keeps propelling Peter Laviolette’s bunch to greater heights, too, potting 10 markers in the last two weeks alone.
With a tough road trip looming, Anaheim unquestionably needs this one. Still, the Preds appear to possess all the momentum right now. Place your faith in them to capture win No. 14 away from Bridgestone Arena.
TUESDAY NHL FREE PICK: PREDATORS +1.5