Nashville Predators vs. Colorado Avalanche Picks, Predictions, Odds

The Nashville Predators and the Colorado Avalanche meet at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo. on Thursday night for Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals, a best-of-seven series. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on TNT.

Sign up to get daily betting columns directly to your inbox!

Score Prediction

Avalanche 5, Predators 3

Best Bet

Avalanche -1.5 (-145)
Over 6.5 (-120)

BetMGM NHL Special Offer

NASHVILLE PREDATORS vs. COLORADO AVALANCHE PREDICTIONS

The Predators are forced to play at least the first two games without their all-World goaltender Juuse Saros, and they got absolutely curb-stomped in Game 1. The Preds fell behind 5-0, as Nathan MacKinnon delivered a power-play goal just 2:20 into Tuesday's game. Devon Toews followed with a goal just 22 seconds later, and the Avs added three more - in the first period. After the fifth goal at 15:04, David Rittich's night was over, and the team turned to Connor Ingram to try and steady the ship. He did that, somewhat, allowing just a power-play goal to Gabriel Landeskog late in the second, and an even-strength goal to MacKinnon. Ingram might have bought himself his first NHL playoffs start for Game 2, too.

The Preds tried to get under the skin of the Avs late, namely with Mathieu Olivier trying to goad Nazem Kadri into doing something stupid, something he has traditionally been known for, especially in the playoffs. But the Avs maintained composure, and boat-raced the Preds. I expect they'll do it again in Game 2, also.

Get the VI Daily Newsletter! Get the VI Daily Newsletter!

NASHVILLE PREDATORS vs. COLORADO AVALANCHE BETTING ODDS

More Odds Stanley Cup Odds

Updated on 03/28/2024
Bonus Code No Code Needed Claim Now

NASHVILLE PREDATORS vs. COLORADO AVALANCHE BETTING RESOURCES

  • Date: Thursday, May 3, 2022
  • Matchup: Central vs. Central
  • Venue: Ball Arena
  • Location: Denver, Colorado
  • TV-Time: TNT, 9:30 p.m. ET

NASHVILLE PREDATORS BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 45-31-7
  • ATS: 44-39
  • O/U: 50-33

The Preds coughed up a five-spot in the first 20 minutes of Game 1, the exact opposite start they wanted in this series. They Preds allowed two power-play goals, and a shorthanded goal, as well as four even-strength markers. The crowd was in it all night, and that's not going to cut the mustard. But, Nashville knows as bad as the opening game was, it is just one game. They didn't lose the series, and whether you lose 2-1, or 7-1, it's one game.

The trends don't point to a Nashville turnaround, however. They're just 1-5 in the past six games overall, and 1-4 in the past five on the road. They're also 2-7 in the past nine in the playoffs as an underdog, while going 0-4 in the past four in the Quarterfinals Round. Oh, and Smashville is 2-8 in the past 10 against winning teams. There is little to suggest an unlikely win in Game 2, and a series split heading back to the Music City.

COLORADO AVALANCHE BETTING ANALYSIS

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 57-19-7
  • ATS: 40-43
  • O/U: 43-35-5

MacKinnon (PP), Toews, Andrew Cogliano (SH), Cale Makar, Artturi Lehkonen, Landeskog (PP) and MacKinnon again - those were your goal scorers. You expect Mack and Landeskog to get theirs, and Makar is a superstar in the making, but the Preds need to limit the damage of the big guns, while shutting down the complementary pieces if they're to have any shot. They didn't do that, and they were worked over.

Colorado is considered the favorites for the Stanley Cup because of its depth, and they're 53-11 in the past 64 at home, so not many people emerge from the Mile High City victoriously. They're also 51-17 in the past 68 as a favorite, and they're once again a giant fave in Game 2.

The Avs took care of the OVER all on their own in the series opener, and they're now 4-1 in the past five at home to the OVER, while going 4-0 in the past four in the Western Conference Quarterfinals Round, while cashing the OVER in 14 of the previous 19 when favored in the playoffs. Yeah, keep pounding the OVER in Avs games, especially in Denver.

The Predators look for a little more fight in Game 2 against the Avalanche. (Getty Images)

NASHVILLE PREDATORS vs. COLORADO AVALANCHE CONCLUSION

After such a disastrous Game 1 start, it's hard to believe the Predators won't change course and look to Ingram to start. Rittich was a train wreck, although the Preds certainly put him behind the 8-ball with an early penalty. But that's one goal. He allowed five on 13 shots, looking like a beer-league goalie who started hitting the sauce in the parking lot before the game. The Avs can make you look silly, though, even for a veteran tendy.

I think Roman Josi and company rally around each other and put up a much better effort, but Nashville just doesn't have the offensive horses to run with the high-octane Avalanche, and it just doesn't have the backstop or defense (outside of Norris candidate Josi) to keep Colorado from scoring an avalanche of goals, especially at home.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS vs. COLORADO AVALANCHE BETTING TRENDS

  • Predators are 1-5 in the past six games overall.
  • Predators are 1-4 in the past five road games.
  • Predators are 2-8 in the past 10 vs. winning teams.
  • Predators are 0-4 in the past four Western QF games.
  • Predators are 2-7 in the past nine playoff games as a 'dog.
  • Avalanche are 53-11 in the past 64 home games.
  • Avalanche are 51-17 in the past 58 as a favorite.
  • Avalanche are 9-1 in the past 10 Western QF games.
  • OVER is 6-0 in the past six games for the Predators.
  • OVER is 5-0 in the past five as a 'dog for the Predators.
  • OVER is 7-1 in the past eight as a road 'dog for the Preds.
  • OVER is 4-1 in the past five home games for the Avalanche.
  • OVER is 4-0 in the past four Western QF games for the Avs.
  • Home team is 4-1 in the past five meetings.
  • OVER is 4-0 in the past four meetings in Denver.

BETTING ON THE 2022 NHL PLAYOFFS

Best NHL Betting Sites:

bet365 | BetMGM | Caesars Sportsbook | FanDuel | FOX Bet | PointsBet | SI Sportsbook | Unibet | Best US Sportsbooks

Where to bet on the NHL Playoffs:

Arizona | Colorado | Illinois | Indiana | Louisiana | Michigan | New Jersey | New York | Pennsylvania | Tennessee | Virginia | West Virginia