Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators Picks, Predictions, Odds

Daniel Dobish Sports Betting Expert

9 minute read

The Colorado Avalanche and the Nashville Predators get together at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. on Saturday afternoon for Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals, a best-of-seven series. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on TNT.

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Score Prediction

Avalanche 3, Predators 1

Best Bet

Avalanche -1.5 (+110)
Under 6.5 (-105)

COLORADO AVALANCHE vs. NASHVILLE PREDATORS PREDICTIONS

The Avalanche whitewashed the Predators in Game 1, blitzing goaltender David Rittich for five goals in the first period alone in a 7-2 victory. The Preds turned to Connor Ingram for his first NHL postseason start on Thursday, and he nearly carried the Preds to the monumental upset victory in Game 2. Ingram allowed a goal at 5:25 of the first period to superstar Nathan MacKinnon, and then he completely shut down the home side.

Yakov Trenin tied the game late in the first period, and that's the way it stayed into overtime. It appeared Nashville was going to be able to steal a victory, level the series and take it back to the Music City looking to get ahead. But Cale Makar had other ideas at 8:31 of the extra session, potting the goal with help from Nico Sturm and Devon Toews. The OT victory still helped those who bet the Preds on the puck line cash, and the UNDER was never in doubt after an OVER result in Game 1.

Juuse Saros was ruled out for the first two games due to a lower-body injury, but originally it sounded like he might be back for Game 3. But the way Ingram played in Game 2, it's hard to imagine the Predators getting away from him.

COLORADO AVALANCHE vs. NASHVILLE PREDATORS BETTING ODDS

Avalanche -233
Predators +188
Avalanche -1.5 (+110)
Predators +1.5 (-133)
Over 6.5 (-115)
Under 6.5 (-105)

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Updated on 04/25/2024

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COLORADO AVALANCHE vs. NASHVILLE PREDATORS BETTING RESOURCES

• Date: Saturday, May 7, 2022
• Matchup: Central vs. Central
• Venue: Bridgestone Arena
• Location: Nashville, Tenn.
• TV-Time: TNT, 4:30 p.m. ET

COLORADO AVALANCHE BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 58-19-7
• ATS: 40-44
• O/U: 43-36-5

The Avalanche won both games in Denver by different means, but the result was the same in the win column. Colorado ambushed Rittich in Game 1, and then had to bide its time against Ingram before filing winning it in the extra session. The two wins showed the versatility of the favored Avalanche, as they can destroy teams with high-octane offense, or play great defense with strong goaltending to win a close game. They're going to be tough to beat in these playoffs.

The Avs are 10-1 in the past 11 Conference Quarterfinals Round games, and 8-2 in the past 10 playoff games as a favorite, too. They're also 12-5 in the past 17 against teams with a winning record.

On the road, the Avalanche struggled to close out the season, losing four in a row away from home. They have struggled in the Music City over the years, too, winning just eight of the past 26 visits to Nashville, while going 9-19 in the past 28 meetings overall despite the two wins in Denver to start the series.

NASHVILLE PREDATORS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

• SU: 45-32-7
• ATS: 45-39
• O/U: 50-34

The Predators looked awfully dejected after Ingram let in the overtime goal, as they gave it their all and it still wasn't good enough. Nashville played about as good of a road playoff game as you can, yet still came up short in the end.

Nashville is just 1-6 in the past seven games overall, while going 0-4 in the past four playoff games as an underdog, a role it will reprise in Game 3. The Preds are also 0-5 in the past five Conference Quarterfinal Round games, while going 1-5 in the past six overall as a 'dog.

For totals, the OVER is 6-1 in the past seven for the Preds, with the lone UNDER the result from Game 2. The OVER is also 4-1 in the past five at home for the Preds, while going 3-1-1 in the past five Quarterfinal Round outings.

COLORADO AVALANCHE vs. NASHVILLE PREDATORS CONCLUSION

It's going to be interesting to see how the Predators respond after playing such a good game and still coming up short. Nashville will have its raucous, ridiculous, boisterous home crowd on its side, but will that be enough to buoy a team which has a lot of trouble lighting the lamp?

The Preds are strong defensively, especially with Norris Trophy candidate Roman Josi, and possible new treasure Ingram. Will Ingram be the next Pekka Rinne or Tomas Vokoun, or will he be the next Kasimir Kaskisuo or Marek Mazenec? It's hard to say, but he is all but likely to make the start in Game 3 after the stellar showing in Game 2. The Preds still don't have the offensive weapons of the Avs, and in the end that's going to be the difference. The Preds can hang for a period, or two, or perhaps play the Avs even for regulation like Game 2, but in the end Colorado has more offense, and will prevail.

COLORADO AVALANCHE vs. NASHVILLE PREDATORS BETTING TRENDS

• Avalanche are 0-4 in the past four road games.
• Avalanche are 52-17 in the past 69 as a favorite.
• Avalanche are 10-1 in the past Western QF games.
• Predators are 1-6 in the past seven games overall.
• Predators are 1-5 in the past six as an underdog.
• Predators are 0-5 in the past five Western QF games.
• UNDER is 4-1 in the past five road games for the Avs.
• UNDER is 4-1 in the past five playoff games as a fave for the Avs.
• OVER is 4-1 in the past five Western QF games for the Avs.
• OVER is 6-1 in the past seven games for the Predators.
• OVER is 4-1 in the past five home games for the Preds.
• OVER is 5-1 in the past six as a 'dog for the Predators.
• OVER is 3-1-1 in the past five Western QF games for the Preds.
• Predators are 19-9 in the past 28 meetings overall.
• Predators are 18-8 in the past 26 home meetings.
• OVER is 5-1 in the past six meetings.
• OVER is 17-7-1 in the past 25 meetings in Nashville.

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Daniel Dobish

Dan is a handicapper and sports betting expert for VegasInsider with years of experience writing for a number of top publications in the industry. More from Daniel Dobish