NHL Betting Preview: Canucks vs. Predators Game 3

NHL Betting for Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators

Photo credit:© Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports

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The Vancouver Canucks are back in action Friday night for game three against the Nashville Predators, except this game is in enemy territory. The Predators fans are set to bring out their sledge hammers to take their frustrations out on the Vancouver Canucks painted car before Game 3. In this NHL Betting article, you’ll be up to date with all the current Canucks odds and trends from this series to help you win a little bit of extra money this playoff season!

Canucks vs. Predators Odds

Vancouver Canucks Moneyline Odds: -110
Nashville Predators Moneyline Odds: -110
Puck Line Odds: Canucks +1.5 (-260), Predators -1.5 (+210)
Game Total: 5.5 goals (over -125, under +105)
Time/Date: April 26th, 4:30 PM PST
TV: Sportsnet, CBC

All odds courtesy of Bet365.

Last Matchup

In game two of this series, the Canucks got extremely unlucky. If you weren’t watching the game, you’d figure the Predators dominated as they won 4-1. But you’ll realize that’s not the case once you look under the hood.

The Canucks ended the game with more hits (47-31) and more shots (18-16) than the Predators. Now, it doesn’t look like they outplayed them that much by only outshooting their opponent by two shots, but the Canucks had 84 shot attempts to the Predators’ 36.

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Check out Daily Faceoff for all the updates regarding the line combinations and goaltenders for Tuesday’s matchup.

Handicapping the Canucks (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U)

Looking into the underlying numbers, it’s fair to say the Canucks lost that game more than the Predators won. They shot themselves in the foot by setting a franchise record in playoff shot attempts – and still failed to reach the 20-shot mark. Now, I don’t know whether the nerves set in after an emotional high off the first home playoff game since 2015, but something was off.

Casey DeSmith’s stats look bad, but I didn’t necessarily think he played poorly. The first goal was tipped and went by him as he was going from post to post in the wrong direction – where the shot was initially supposed to go. The second Predators goal was a poor defensive play by Noah Juulsen in the corner, allowing the 48-goal scorer, Filip Forsberg, to be alone in front of the net. And the third goal will haunt Elias Pettersson for the rest of the playoffs.

Speaking of Pettersson, the Canucks have to get him going, and I’m wondering whether Rick Tocchet will make any lineup changes to make that happen. Nils Höglander has been relatively invisible in this series, which we’re not used to seeing. He’s not winning the board battles and cycling the puck that he excelled at in the regular season, so much so that he only played 8:33 minutes of ice time in Game 2.

Maybe reconnecting the all-Swedish line and moving Pettersson to the wing, where he’ll have fewer responsibilities and can focus on getting his offence back, could be the answer. This wouldn’t hurt the depth too much, as they could reconnect the Teddy Blueger with Dakota Joshua and Conor Garland, which worked wonders in the regular season.

Handicapping the Predators (1-1 SU, 1-1 ATS, 1-1 O/U)

The Predators return home for the next two games of this series, where they’ve surprisingly been mediocre. Given how wild the crowd can be down in Nashville, it was surprising to see them have only the 19th-best home record on the year, with a 23-16-2 record on the year.

After game 2, it’s clear that the Predators have no fear in blocking every and all shot attempts that the Canucks throw their way. Nashville had five players with three or more blocked shots: Alexandre Carrier (6), Ryan McDonaugh (4), Colton Sissons (4), Roman Josi (3), and Jeremy Lauzon (3). If they can continue to limit Vancouver’s shots, they’ll keep Juuse Saros fresh for the rest of this series.

While their defence stood out in their most recent game, Predators fans would hope they’d show more offensively. They’ve mustered up only 24 and 15 total shot attempts in the first two games of this series. While they still have six goals in this series, they’re getting dominated in offensive zone time. We’ll see if the home-ice advantage will tilt the ice more in their favour.

Projected Lineups

Tyler Myers looks to draw back into the lineup after being held out of game 2 with the flu. He projects to reclaim his spot alongside Carson Soucy. Casey DeSmith gets the start again tonight.

There are no projected lineup changes for the Predators.

Predators vs. Canucks Injury News

Filip Forsberg has been missing practice since before game 2, so that’s something to monitor. Also, the Predators called up forward Juuso Parssinen from the Milwaukee Admirals. It could be precautionary but, again, something to monitor.

No new injury news for the Canucks. Thatcher Demko is still out with his knee injury, and there is no further update on his return.

PRESENTED BY BET365

Team Betting Trends

Nashville is 7-3 over their last 10 home games.
Vancouver is 4-1 against Nashville this season.
Vancouver and Nashville are 7-3 to the over 5.5 in games in Bridgestone Arena.
Nashville is 3-0 to the over 5.5 in their last three home games, while Vancouver is 2-1 to the over 5.5 in their previous three road games.

Player Prop Betting Trends

The Canucks were snake bitten in the shot department last game, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Quinn Hughes finished with three shots on goal on 13 shot attempts, J.T. Miller finished with three shots on goal on 10 shot attempts and the most snake-bitten man of all, Elias Pettersson had zero shots on goal on nine shot attempts. Expect an angry trio of Canucks tonight and consider their shots on goal prop for tonight – Hughes over 2.5 shots on goal (+100), Miller over 2.5 shots on goal (-120) and Pettersson over 2.5 shots on goal (+125).
The big boys of Nashville have come to play in this series. Filip Forsberg (-275) and Gustav Nyquist (-175) both have points in both games this playoffs, with their centreman Ryan O’Reilly (-160) having a goal in the first game. Forsberg and Nyquist have points in five straight games, while O’Reilly has six of his last seven.

Best Bets for Canucks Army

As I mentioned before, the Canucks were snake-bitten last game. They finished game two with 3.2 expected goals for, and only scored once. I think that’s something they can build off of, so we’ll be betting the Vancouver Canucks Team Total Over 2.5 at -165 odds.
This isn’t a prop about a betting trend, but Elias Pettersson is too good to be struggling this much. But it’s his first playoff series in front of a sell-out fan base in a Canadian market, and there are going to be some nerves he needs to knock off. I think now that he’s away from home, there’s less pressure, and he’ll find the scoresheet tonight. Bet on Elias Pettersson over 0.5 point at -140 odds.

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