In this article we will formulate a Predators vs Avalanche prediction for this NHL game on Tuesday, December 9th at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this NHL matchup.
Nashville Predators Betting Preview
The Nashville Predators are 10-14-4 this season after they lost to Carolina by a score of 6-3 in their last game. Nashville allowed the first five goals in the game, but they did score three goals in the third to ruin the shutout. The Predators were out shot by a total of 40-22, won 58.4% of the face-offs, and went 1-3 on the power play in the game. Nashville got goals from Bunting, Forsberg, and Wood, while Saros stopped 32 out of 38 shots, which was an .842 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Nashville defeated the Panthers by a score of 2-1 and the Flames by a score of 5-1. The Predators have won four of their last six games and they are currently last in the Central standings with 24 points. Nashville has scored 2.61 goals per game and they have allowed 3.57 goals against per game, while also going 15.7% on the power play and 81.1% on the penalty kill this season. Ryan O’Reilly has led Nashville with nine goals and 12 assists, while Filip Forsberg has added 10 goals and nine assists. The projected starting goalie for Nashville is Juuse Saros, who is 9-10-3 with a 3.04 goals against average and an .893 save percentage this season.
Colorado Avalanche Betting Preview
The Colorado Avalanche are 21-2-6 this year after they defeated Philadelphia by a score of 3-2 in their last game. Colorado had their lead cut to 3-2 in the second period, but they locked down defensively for the win, despite not scoring in the last 38 minutes. The Avalanche out shot Philadelphia by a total of 28-25, won 52.1% of the face-offs, and went 1-2 on the power play in the game. Colorado got goals from Nelson, Nichushkin, and Burns, while Blackwood stopped 23 out of 25 shots, which was a .920 save percentage.
Prior to that game, Colorado defeated the Rangers by a score of 3-2, but lost to the Islanders by a score of 6-3 before that. The Avalanche have won four of their last five games and they are currently first in the Central standings with 48 points. Colorado has scored 3.97 goals per game and they have allowed 2.17 goals against per game, while also going 16.0% on the power play and 86.9% on the penalty kill this season. Nathan MacKinnon has led Colorado with 24 goals and 25 assists, while Martin Necas has added 14 goals and 25 assists. The projected starting goalie for Colorado is Scott Wedgewood, who is 13-1-3 with a 2.07 goals against average and a .920 save percentage this year.
Why the Colorado Avalanche will win
- The Avalanche have won each of their last seven night games against Western Conference opponents.
- The Predators have lost eight of their last nine home games against Central Division opponents.
- The favorites have covered the puck line in each of the Predators’ last four games at Bridgestone Arena.
- The Predators have failed to cover the puck line in six of their last seven night games at Bridgestone Arena.
- The Predators have lost the third period in nine of their last 10 home games against Central Division opponents.
Total Goals Facts
- Each of the Avalanche’s last six games against Western Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Nine of the Predators’ last 11 night games against Central Division opponents at Bridgestone Arena have gone UNDER the total goals line.
- Four of the last five night games between two teams from the Central Division have gone OVER the total goals line.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 3′ market has hit in each of the Predators’ last eight games as underdogs against opponents on a winning streak.
- The ‘Over 1.5 Goals Period 1’ market has hit in six of the Avalanche’s last seven games following a road win.
Nashville Predators Player Prop Facts
- Luke Evangelista has recorded at least one assist in six of the Predators’ last seven games.
- Roman Josi has recorded at least one point in each of the Predators’ last eight Tuesday games against the Avalanche at Bridgestone Arena.
- Luke Evangelista has scored a goal in three of the Predators’ last four games against Central Division opponents.
Colorado Avalanche Player Prop Facts
- Cale Makar has recorded at least one point in 15 of the Avalanche’s last 16 road games.
- Nathan MacKinnon has scored at least one goal in five of the Avalanche’s last six road games against Western Conference opponents.
- Cale Makar has recorded an assist in each of the Avalanche’s last four road games.
Predators vs Avalanche Prediction
Colorado continues to be one of the top teams in the NHL to start this season and they have just two regulation losses so far. The Avalanche are 10-2-4 on the road this year, while the Predators are 6-8-2 at home. Nashville has played better over the last few weeks, but they have allowed at least five goals in two of their last four games. These two teams are on opposite ends of the Central standings and I just can’t back Nashville in this spot with how they have played over the last two years. Take Colorado by at least two goals here.