Nashville Predators (45-31-8) vs Colorado Avalanche (58-19-7)
Game Info: Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 4:30 pm (Bridgestone Arena)
Betting Odds: Nashville Predators +200 / Colorado Avalanche -230 --- Over/Under: 6.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Nashville Predators host the Colorado Avalanche in Saturday NHL Playoff Action.The Colorado Avalanche come into this Western Conference road playoff game looking to take a commanding 3-0 lead. In their last game, they picked up a 2-1 win over Nashville. On the season, they have found the net 312 times, good for a rank of 3rd among NHL teams. Heading into the game, Colorado is the 7th ranked defensive team, allowing opponents to score at an average rate of 2.83 goals per game. When diving into their opponent-adjusted scoring margin, they come into this game as the 3rd ranked team in the NHL.
The Nashville Predators will look to pick up their first win in the series, as they hope playing at home will make a difference. Through 82 games, the Predators have scored 266 goals, giving them an average of 3.2. This output gives them a rank of 12th among NHL teams. On defense, Nashville is the 16th-ranked unit, giving up 3.05 goals per contest. So far, the Predators have played the 14th toughest schedule in the league. And, when taking into account Nashville's scoring margin relative to the quality of their competition, they come in with a power ranking of 15th in the NHL.
Through 75 games, the Colorado Avalanche goal and overall scoring leader is Mikko Rantanen with 92 points. He has reached his mark of 36 goals, on a shooting percentage of 14.2%. So far, 44.0% of his goals have come during power play time. Behind him is Nathan MacKinnon, who has 56 assists to go along with his 32 goals. While on the ice, his offensive production has led to a plus-minus rating of +22. Colorado's top goalie is Darcy Kuemper, who is giving up an average of 2.54 goals per game. In his 57 games played, he has turned in 32 quality starts, giving him a quality start percentage above the league average.
Through 82 games, Nashville's leading goal scorer is Matt Duchene. With his 43 goals and 43 assists, he is the second in overall points, coming in at 86. On the season, he is turning 18.9% of his shots into goals. In addition, the Predators have benefited from the strong play of Roman Josi, who is the team's overall leader in points. In Nashville's 82 games, he has come up with 23 goals on a shooting percentage of 8.2%. While on the ice, his offensive production has led to a plus minus rating of +13.0 Nashville's top goalie is Juuse Saros, who is giving up an average of 2.64 goals per game. In his 67 games played, he has turned in 43 quality starts, giving him a quality start percentage above the league average.
In Colorado's 82 games, the over has hit in over half of their games, going 44-36-2. So far, taking the over when the Avalanche are playing away from home has been a good bet with an over-under record of 22-18-1. On the season, 60.0% of Colorado's games have gone for at least 6 goals or more, with 57% of the scoring coming from the Avalanche. In Nashville's 82 games, the over has hit in over half of their games, going 49-33. So far, the team has been less likely to go over the betting line when playing at home, going just 19-22. On the season 60.0% of Nashville's games have gone for at least 6 goals or more, with 51.0% of the scoring coming from the Predators. Even though the last meeting between Colorado and Nashville finished with just 3 goals, look for game 3 to finish above 6.5 goals.
Joe’s Pick Over 6.5 Goals
AUTHOR: Joe Kiemen
Follow Joe Kiemen on Twitter @PickDawgz