NHL Betting Preview: Canucks vs. Predators Game 6
By Tyson Cole
2 months agoAfter the Vancouver Canucks dropped their opportunity to punch their second-round ticket on home ice in Game 5, they have a chance to redeem themselves today in Nashville. 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: +105
- Nashville Predators Moneyline Odds: -125
- Puck Line Odds: Canucks +1.5 (-250), Predators -1.5 (+205)
- Game Total: 5.5 goals (over -110, under -110)
- Time/Date: May 3rd, 4:00 PM PST
- TV: Sportsnet, CBC
All odds courtesy of bet365.
Last Matchup
Game 5 was a tough watch for Vancouver fans. It was a slow start to the game, going into the third period with a 0-0 tie. The tie was broken when Nikita Zadorov took the puck from the Canucks’ hash marks, deked out two defenders and beat Juuse Saros over the shoulder 3:11 into the final frame.
There’s another controversial Nashville goal: Roman Josi takes a point shot that trickles through Arturs Silovs. With the loose puck in the crease, Gustav Nyquist comes in and seems to push Silovs into the puck, causing it to cross the red line and light the lamp.
Below is a slow-motion video of the goal, where it does look like he gets pushed in. But Rick Tocchet decides not to challenge, and it ultimately happened to be the difference maker as the Canucks lost 2-1.
And while they did lose this game, Vancouver was the much better team at 5-on-5. The Canucks out-chanced the Predators 29-16, out-high-danger-chanced them 13-5 and had a 1.78 expected goals for, to their 1.49. Analytically, the Canucks won this game; the final score says otherwise.
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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 (2-3 SU, 2-3 ATS, 2-3 O/U)
I really liked the way the Canucks have played throughout this whole series. Vancouver has only been out-chanced at 5-on-5 in Game 3, where Vancouver won 2-1. Vancouver has 107 scoring chances throughout the entire series, compared to Nashville’s 77. It’s really been not close at even strength this series. But the refs have heavily sided with Nashville in this series, as they’ve had 19 powerplay opportunities to Vancouver’s 13.
That said, Vancouver’s goaltending needs to be better. It’s hard to ask second and third-string Casey DeSmith and Silovs to jump in and perform well in the playoffs, but they haven’t done the Canucks any favours. DeSmith has a -0.2, and Silovs has a -.7 goals saved above expected, meaning they’re allowing more goals than they should be allowing. Compare this to Saros’ 1.8 goals saved above expected. Canucks are going to need their goalies to steal a game for them this series; we’ll see if that’s tonight.
If Vancouver can stay out of the box tonight, I like their chances at 5-on-5 and to close out the series in a building where they’re 4-0 this season.
Handicapping the Predators (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS, 2-3 O/U)
Nashville heads back home tonight to keep their playoff lives. The Predators have done a fantastic job limiting the shots Saros has faced in this series, outshooting the Canucks 120-92. This has allowed them to keep him fresh, only allowing 12 total goals this series. However, his save percentage is at .877, ranks as the fourth lowest of starters in the playoffs. If Vancouver ends up finding an offensive explosion in the shot department, this is where Nashville could be in trouble.
Canucks vs. Predators Injury News
No new injuries for the Vancouver Canucks. They are still waiting on Thatcher Demko, who did skate early this morning. Casey DeSmith sounds healthy and ready to go.
Spencer Stastney remains injured after taking a hit from Dakota Joshua along the end boards in Game 3. Luke Schenn was added to the injury report last game due to illness.
Projected Lineups
No lineup changes for the Canucks. Tonight’s starting goalie appears to be Arturs Silovs, as he was the first goalie off the ice in morning skate. However, Tocchet walked that back, saying he’s still unsure – we’ll see who they go with, but it does sound like another smokescreen from Tocchet and an Arty Party in Nashville tonight.
Based on pre-game skate, it looks like the Predators are keeping the same lineup from Game 5. Juuse Saros is projected to start in goal tonight.
PRESENTED BY BET365
Team Betting Trends
- Vancouver is 7-3 against Nashville over their last 10 games.
- Nashville is 0-3 over their last three home games against Vancouver.
- Vancouver is 5-0 over their last five games as an underdog against Nashville.
- The road teams are 4-1 in this series, and the over (5.5) is 2-3.
Player Prop Betting Trends
- Juuse Saros’ saves line is set at 24.5. He has gone under this considerably, having failed to reach even 20 saves in any of the five games of this series. He averages 16 saves per game.
- Elias Pettersson has been nowhere to be found; that’s not a surprise to Canucks fans. However, I think it was true to say that the noise of the Vancouver market got to him. He has points in two games this series, both being road games. Well, Pettersson is back in Bridgestone Arena, where he has four points in his last three games dating back to the regular season.
Best Bets for Canucks Army
- J.T. Miller has been a leader for this team for a long time, and in an effort to keep it light around the team, he wore Silovs’ pink dress shirt. With the team trends in mind, I’m going straight back to the Vancouver Canucks moneyline at +105 odds, sprinkling on the reverse puck line in an elimination game, -1.5 at +215 odds.
- We’ll also be taking both of the player prop trends I highlighted: Juuse Saros’ under 23.5 saves at -120 odds and Elias Pettersson’s point at -140 odds.
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