Last Updated on April 28, 2011 11:00 am by nate
Thursday NHL Playoffs Opening Odds
(The Spread) – The Western Conference semifinals kick off Thursday night with Game 1 of the series between the Vancouver Canucks and the Nashville Predators.
The Canucks reached the second round by thwarting off the Chicago Blackhawks’ series comeback attempt by winning Game 7 2-1 in overtime. Nashville moved on by topping Anaheim in six games, winning the clincher by a 4-2 final Sunday at home.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SBGGLOBAL.com have made the Canucks -180 favorites while the Predators are +160 underdogs. According to the latest NHL trends, the under is 4-0 in the last four meetings overall and 8-2 in the last 10 meetings in Vancouver. The Predators are 6-13-1 in the last 20 meetings in Vancouver.
Mike Fisher leads Nashville in postseason scoring as he notched three goals and three assists in the series with Anaheim, while goalie Pekka Rinne recorded a 3.29 goals-against average. Vancouver’s Daniel Sedin totaled five goals and two assists versus Chicago. Goaltender Roberto Luongo had a 2.97 GAA in the series for the Canucks.
Game time is slated for 9:05PM EST.
NHL Playoffs Opening Odds & Totals
53 Nashville Predators +160 (5)
54 Vancouver Canucks -180
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