Had the Colorado Avalanche and Nashville Predators been dropped in an octagon inside of a hockey rink for Game 1, the referee may have waved the fight off before the first period ended. You don’t need to look at NHL expert picks to see the Avalanche pummeling of Colorado could be demoralizing for Nashville. The Predators conceded five goals in the first period of what turned out to be a five-goal loss.
Nashville, though, can take solace in this series is a best-of-seven affair and won’t be eliminated as a result of a poor Game 1 performance. However, the Predators will need to show a considerably better performance to keep up with the star-studded Avalanche.
Last game records
Colorado beat Nashville 7-2 on May 3 in Denver. The Avalanche leads the series 1-0.
Matchup Information
Predators at Avalanche Betting Analysis
Nashville Betting Analysis
The Predators’ defense has fallen apart badly down the stretch. Over Nashville’s last 10 games, the Predators have been allowing 4.9 goals per game. Predators goalie David Rittich got the hook in Game 1 allowing five goals in the 13 shots he faced. Connor Ingram came on in relief and was able to stop 32 of the 34 shots he faced.
Matt Duchene scored both of Nashville’s goals in the loss. The Predators will need to find more scoring if they are going to keep up with high-powered Colorado. Nashville showed in the regular season it has plenty of scoring punch. Duchene (43 goals), Filip Forsberg (42), Ryan Johansen (26), Tanner Jeannot (23), and Roman Josi (23) all scored 20 goals or more.
Putting those players in the best position to score will be Nashville’s biggest challenge. NHL betting picks show this will be hard to accomplish.
Colorado Betting Analysis
NHL betting stats show that it has been a long time since the Avalanche made the Stanley Cup finals. While Colorado is still several rounds from making it a reality, the Avalanche showed in Game 1 they are going to be a ferocious opponent. Colorado star Nathan MacKinnon put six shots on the net, scored twice, and recorded an assist. Cale Makar, Gabriel Landeskog, Andrew Cogliano, Artturi Lehkonnen and Devon Towes all scored for Colorado.
The Avalanche are 50-4-4 when they scored three or more goals. Having such a high-octane offense makes life easier for Colorado goalie Darcy Kuemper. Kuemper was only forced to make 23 saves in the Game 1 victory.
While Colorado has been strong throughout the season, the Avalanche is at 4-5-1 over their past 10 games. Nathan Mackinnon has been excellent for the Avalanche, recording three points in Game 1. MacKinnon also had a strong regular season, finishing with 88 points.
Updates
Nashville will be without Juuse Saros and Jeremy Lauzon. Colorado’s Ryan Murray will be out with a hand/wrist injury.
- Nashville is 43-39 against the puck line this season.
- Colorado is 40-43 against the puck line this season.
- The over has a 50-33 record in the Predators’ games.
- The over has a 43-35 record in the Avalanche’s games.
Predators at Avalanche Betting Preview
NHL betting odds have the Avalanche as -385 favorites. NHL betting stats show the over/under is set at 6.5.
Predators at Avalanche Betting Prediction
It’s hard to take an objective look at Game 1 and think Colorado can be slowed down by Nashville. The Avalanche, which has been eliminated early in the past few seasons, is determined to show this group of guys are worthy of winning the Stanley Cup. If Colorado plays like it did last game, few teams will be competitive with them.
There is little value in betting on Colorado, as the Avalanche are big favorites on the money line. The better bet here would be placing a wager on the total. Colorado enjoys being on the attack, while Nashville’s defense has been atrocious over the past month. Bet both teams will enjoy lighting the lamp and seeing the total soar over in the second straight game.
How to bet Predators at Avalanche
Bet over 6.5
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