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The Nashville Predators will host the Tampa Bay Lightning at Nissan Stadium tonight for the NHL's annual Stadium Series. Tampa Bay is riding high on a three-game winning streak and are also 7-2-1 in their last 10 matchups. Nashville has won two games in a row, but that came off of a four-game losing streak as they are 2-4-1 in their last seven. With that, it’s time to continue our NHL odds series with a Lightning-Predators Stadium Series prediction and pick.
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Here are the Lightning-Predators NHL Odds, Courtesy of FanDuel
NHL Odds: Lightning-Predators Odds
Tampa Bay Lightning: -1.5 (+138) (-182 ML)
Nashville Predators: +1.5 (-170) (+150 ML)
Over: 6.5 (+100)
Under: 6.5 (-122)
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Why The Lightning Can Cover The Spread/Win
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The Tampa Bay Lightning have made it very clear that they are trying to go for a three-peat this year after winning the Stanley Cup in the previous two years as they currently sit in second place in the Atlantic Division with 72 points. The Lightning are also seventh in goals per game, thanks to the help of Steven Stamkos, Alex Killorn, Brayden Point, and defenseman Victor Hedman. Tampa also ranks fifth in goals against per game, with 2.16 and their penalty kill has been fantastic with an 81.6 percent success rate. However, their powerplay has taken a huge step down from last season, scoring just 19.2 percent of the time this year.
Goaltender, Andrei Vasilevskiy is highly known for being the best netminder in the league and because of the Stadium Series being played tonight, the former Vezina trophy winner will get the start between the pipes. Vasilevskiy is posting quality numbers, per usual, with a .921 save percentage and allowing 2.29 goals per game. He'll look to be his normal self tonight as the Bolts are listed favorites heading into this matchup.
Why The Predators Can Cover The Spread/Win
The “Smashville” (as you will see on their jerseys tonight) Predators are currently sitting in the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference after many believed that this season was a lost cause. Defenseman and team captain, Roman Josi is having another Norris trophy-winning type of season, as he leads his team into the Titan's Nissan Stadium tonight. Typically, the Predators tend to focus on defense and goaltending, but that has an effect on their defensive play as they rank in the middle of the pack at 14th with 3.06 goals per game. Their special teams have also been great, scoring 24 percent of the time on the power play and with a 79.6 percent success rate when they're shorthanded; not too shabby for a defense-first kind of team.
Most of their success can be credited to goaltender Juuse Saros, who has been incredible so far this season and is still in the running for the Vezina trophy. With such a big primetime game tonight, he'll look to get another start and defend the home (but not really) crease. Saros is posting a solid .924 save percentage and allowing 2.45 goals against. He'll look to continue on that run as he faces off against a scary Tampa Bay team.
Final Lightning-Predators Prediction & Pick
Outdoor games are always very fun to watch, especially when two high-quality teams like this collide. However, outdoor rinks tend to create very sloppy play as the ice doesn't stay at a consistent level. It's supposed to be around 40 degrees in Nashville at puck drop, and I can't imagine the ice will be easy to navigate. Not to mention, two of the best goaltenders in the league will be playing in this game. I'm picking the Under 6.5 in this one as it's doomed to be a low-scoring game on both sides of the ice.
Final Lightning-Predators Prediction and Pick: Under 6.5 (-122)
