It’s down to a best-of-five series between the Canucks and Predators as the scene shifts to Music City.
The Canucks were blanketed in a 4-1 loss in Game 2, and while their offense has hit the wall, top goalie Thatcher Demko might not be back this series to bail them out.
Still, the ‘Nucks are only slight -105 moneyline underdogs in the NHL odds for tonight's pivotal Game 3.
Can Nashville keep frustrating one of the league’s best offenses? Read below for my free NHL picks plus Canucks vs. Predators predictions for Friday, April 26.
Canucks vs Predators prediction
My best bet
Under 5.5 (+105 at Sports Interaction)
My analysis
The Vancouver Canucks are firing away, but barely any rubber is getting to Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros. It was a frustrating Game 2 loss, as the Canucks generated 84 shot attempts with only 18 as official shots on goal. Nashville blocked an absurd 31 shots. The Canucks are now averaging under 20 shots per game across the first two games of this series.
All of Vancouver’s goals in this series have been provided by the role players, as the stars have been dulled. The combination of Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and Brock Boeser, who potted 110 goals and 265 points in the regular season, have two assists between them through 120 minutes of playoff hockey.
Pettersson, who finished in the Top 20 in regular-season scoring, has no points. He was held without a shot and took a minus-3 in Game 2.
The man advantage has been non-existent too. The Canucks couldn’t connect on four chances in Game 2, and are 0-for-6 so far in Round 1.
Nashville is a third-period lapse away from being up 2-0 in this series, but it has also been fortunate. They put just 15 shots to Casey DeSmith, who made 12 saves in just his second career playoff start (not including the empty-net goal to clinch it), as the Demko injury news broke hours before Game 2. The Preds actually have the same number of shots as the Canucks through two games at 39.
The difference so far is their stars have come to play. Filip Forsberg, Gustav Nyquist, Roman Josi, and Ryan O’Reilly — their Top 4 scorers this season — all found their way onto the scoresheet for the Preds in Vancouver.
Nashville had a 23-16-2 home record this year, while the Canucks were a solid 23-14-4 away from Rogers Arena, with two of those wins coming at Bridgestone Arena.
This one is too close to call, but with stagnant offenses being the name of the game so far, expect the low-scoring trend to prevail in Game 3.
Canucks vs Predators same-game parlay (SGP)
Under 5.5
Filip Forsberg anytime goal
Elias Pettersson anytime goal
Filip Forsberg is picking up right where he left off from a dynamite regular season. In a virtual must-have in Game 2, Forsberg picked up his first of the playoffs to give Nashville some breathing room, a tally that would eventually count as the game winner. That gives him goals in four of his last five games overall, and he’s been especially lethal at Bridgestone Arena.
Forsberg closed with 11 goals in his last 10 home games of the regular season. Look for the sixth-leading goal scorer in the NHL this year to make an impact on Friday night.
I'll go from red-hot Forsberg to ice-cold Elias Pettersson, the most scrutinized Canuck through two games, as I think he will come out focused for Game 3.
The Swede was among the most consistent scorers in the NHL. This is only the second time all season Pettersson has been held pointless in three straight games, and only once did that reach four.
The juice is worth it here: adding Pettersson to this SGP pushes the odds to a solid +2,000.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Canucks vs Predators odds
Canucks vs Predators live odds
Canucks vs Predators opening odds
- Puck line: Vancouver +1.5 | Nashville -1.5
- Moneyline: Vancouver +103 | Nashville -116
- Over/Under: Over 6 | Under 6
Canucks vs Predators moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- Nashville broke a five-game losing streak vs. Vancouver with a Game 2 win.
- Vancouver has won three straight vs. Nashville as betting underdogs.
- The Over has hit in three of the last four head-to-head matchups.
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Canucks vs Predators trend
The Canucks have won each of their last six games against the Predators following a loss. Find more NHL betting trends for Canucks vs. Predators.
Canucks vs Predators game info
| Location: | Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN |
| Date: | Friday, 4-26-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TBS, MAX |
Canucks vs Predators latest injuries
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