The Predators were unable to keep hold of a 2-1 third period lead in Game 5, falling to the Hurricanes 3-2 in Carolina on Tuesday. Nashville will now face elimination and look to continue a series that has seen the home team win every game.
Can the Preds hold serve in Nashville? Find out in our free NHL betting picks and predictions for Hurricanes vs. Predators on May 27 at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Hurricanes vs Predators game info
• Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
• Date: Thursday, May 27, 2021
• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• TV: SN360, NBCSN
Hurricanes vs Predators odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
Compare NHL odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
NHL Sharp Money and Line Movement Report
By Patrick EversonThe line opened at Hurricanes -149/Predators +124, with the total at 5.5. As of 5:38 p.m ET at DraftKings Sportsbook, 60 percent of both the handle and the tickets were on the Hurricanes, while the Over 5.5 is running at a nearly 3/1 count in both handle and tickets.
Check out the full line movement for this gameHurricanes vs Predators series odds
Hurricanes: -1,000
Predators: +500
Hurricanes vs Predators betting preview
Injuries
Hurricanes: Cedric Paquette C (Out).
Predators: Viktor Arvidsson RW (Questionable), Mark Borowiecki D (Out), Luca Sbisa D (Out).
Find our latest NHL injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Hurricanes are 20-8 in the last 28 meetings vs. the Predators. Find more NHL betting trends for Hurricanes vs. Predators.
Moneyline pick
Through five games, this series has a few marks of a tight matchup, with the teams exchanging blows at home. Game 5 saw the 11th tying goal of the series, the most in a single series since the lockout, and three of five games have required overtime to settle.
However, while the scoreline has been incredibly tight throughout the series, that's in large part due to Predators goalie Juuse Saros. The Finnish netminder has kept his team in games on multiple occasions, including turning away 110 of 117 Carolina shots in Nashville's 2-0 home stint.
Despite Saros's best efforts, the Hurricanes have looked dominant at times. Their 223 shots on goal in the series lead the NHL by 25, and they have doubled the Predators' high-danger scoring chances (14-7). Only the already-advanced Avalanche, the Panthers and Maple Leafs have a higher expected goal differential in the postseason, with Carolina +4.52.
Nashville's performances at home can't be understated, with the Preds thriving in front of one of the league's best home-ice advantages and expecting nearly 15,000 for Game 6. Saros has kept Nashville in the series and is considerably better at home, posting a .941 save percentage and 1.86 goals against average at home compared to .910 and 2.80 on the road.
Despite the Predators returning to the comforts of home, the Hurricanes have continued to prove they are the better team and will finally be rewarded for their dominating play with a series win in Game 6.
PREDICTION: Hurricanes (-149)
Over/Under pick
Nashville's two home games in this series have unsurprisingly hit Overs, with shot totals of 110 and 104 in the Predators' pair of overtime wins. During these two teams' season series, the Predators' offense was completely different at home compared to in Carolina, averaging three goals per game on home ice compared to 1.25 on the road.
For as good as 'Canes goalie Alex Nedeljkovic has been as a rookie in 2021, he has been shaken on the road in this series, allowing nine goals with a .907 save percentage in two games in Nashville compared to four goals with a .950 save percentage at home.
While the fireworks seen in Nashville's two home games so far this series had the benefit of overtime to boost the underlying numbers, both games' regulation featured plenty of chances. Through three periods of Game 3, the Hurricanes and Predators had combined for 6.3 expected goals, then combined for 6.1 expected goals in regulation of Game 4.
If Carolina is going to wrap up the series, it's going to need to outscore a Predators team that thrives at home. With the 'Canes getting production up-and-down their lineup this series, they will be up for the challenge.
PREDICTION: Over 5.5 (+112)
Hurricanes vs Predators betting card
- Hurricanes (-149)
- Over 5.5 (+112)
Picks made on 5/26/2021 at 6:35 p.m. ET
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NHL Hurricanes vs. Predators picks, you could win $25.43 on a $10 bet?
Use our NHL parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on the NHL?
You can bet on NHL odds at every online and casino sportsbook, including NHL moneylines, puck lines, Over/Under totals, and a ton of NHL prop odds. Head over to our best sportsbooks for NHL betting in your area.
