Arizona Coyotes (33-29-8) vs. Nashville Predators (35-26-8)
TBA
Arizona Coyotes (+110) - Nashville Predators (-134) Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Arizona Coyotes and Nashville Predators will clash in the first round of the expanded 2020 NHL Playoffs. Arizona ended the shortened regular season with an overall record of (33-29-8), while Nashville finished (35-26-8). Let’s take a closer look at each team and see what the organization did during the regular season. Bet This NHL Series Here
Arizona ended the season on a two game losing streak, after falling in back to back road games to Calgary and Winnipeg. Those games were played back on March 6th and 9th. The Coytes did see a rough stretch of play towards the middle of the season, where the organization went just 2-10 during a stretch that went from January 9th-February 8th. The Coyotes were led on offense this season by Nick Schmaltz. Schmaltz totaled 45 points through 70 games, collecting 11 goals and 34 assists. Conor Garland led the way in goals with 22, whie Christian Dvorak added 18 goals. Clayton Keller was 2nd on the team in points with 44. The goaltending duo was primarily Antti Raanta and Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper had the best season, going 16-11-2, while finishing with a goals against average of 2.22. The Coyotes finished in 5th place in the Pacific Division.
Nashville ended the regular season on a high note, winning the last 3 contests. Two of those 3 wins were shutouts against Dallas. The Predators did hit a lull in the middle of the season, going 1-8 through a stretch. Even with that rough stretch, Nashville still managed to finish 9 games above the .500 mark, before the regular season abruptly came to an end. The Predators were led on offense by Roman Josi. Josi had a team leading 65 points, as the next closest registered 48 points. Josi recorded 16 goals and a team leading 49 assists. Filip Forsberg had a team high in goals with 21. Defenseman Ryan Ellis added 30 assists. Juuse Saros led the way in net, totaling a 17-12-4 record, while allowing an average of 2.70 goals per contest. Nashville finished 5th in the Central Division.
Overview: The two teams split the season series 1-1, as their 3rd game did not have the chance to be played. Arizona outscored Nashville in the two games, 7-5. Nashville has opened up as the favorite to win this series, which would make sense, as the Predators did have the better season between the two.
I do like Nashville in this spot, simply because Nashville has played the toughest schedule out of the two organizations. The Predators play in the Central, compared to the Coyotes playing in the Pacific. The difference? Every team in the Central made the playoffs, while three teams in the Pacific did not make the cut. There were 7 teams that did not make the 2020 playoffs and 3 were from the Pacific. I’ll put stock in Filip Forsberg and the Predators to get it done in this series. Bet This NHL Series Here
Chris’s Pick Nashville Predators -134
AUTHOR: Chris Smith
Follow Chris Smith on Twitter @oldman_95