Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators: Game 1 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
It’s a bit of a different circumstance for the Nashville Predators in this year’s Stanley Cup playoffs compared to 2017. Last year, the Preds were the No. 16 overall seed in the postseason as their 94 points were the fewest among the playoff clubs. They were supposed to be roadkill in the first round against the No. 1 Chicago Blackhawks but instead pulled off a historic sweep that was a bit of a changing of the guard in the conference and Central Division. Nashville made it all the way to its first Stanley Cup Finals, losing in six games to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Avalanche vs Predators Stanley Cup Playoff Betting Analysis
The 2016-17 Colorado Avalanche were nothing short of terrible in finishing with just 48 points and an NHL-worst goal differential of minus-112. The team stayed the course with Coach Jared Bednar, and it resulted in a 95-point campaign this season, one better than St. Louis for the final playoff spot in the West. That 47-point improvement is tied for the fourth-largest in NHL history.
Nashville is the +375 favourite at Sports Interaction to win the Stanley Cup and +150 in the West. The Predators are -569 to win this series (Avalanche +404) and the favoured result is Nashville in five games at +250. Check out our bet guide to learn more about betting on NHL futures.
Colorado Avalanche
It all starts with Halifax’s Nathan MacKinnon on the Avalanche. The 2013 No. 1 overall pick set a career high by far this season with 39 goals, 58 assists and 97 points (most by a Colorado player since 2006-07) despite missing eight games. His 1.31 points per game average was No. 2 in the league behind Edmonton’s Connor McDavid (1.32). The Avs clinched their first playoff spot in four years in their regular-season finale by beating St. Louis 5-2 in Denver. MacKinnon scored his first goal in 10 games. Colorado will start the playoffs short-handed as both No. 1 goaltender Semyon Varlamov and top defenceman Erik Johnson will miss at least the first round with knee injuries.
Nashville Predators
Nashville won the first Presidents’ Trophy in franchise history with a team-record 117 points. However, winning that Trophy has been a bit of a curse over the years as it much more often than not doesn’t lead to a Stanley Cup title. The last Presidents’ Trophy winner to capture the Cup was Chicago in 2013. Nashville finished second in the NHL in goals allowed behind netminder Pekka Rinne, a Vezina contender, and a stellar top group of blueliners in P.K. Subban, Mattias Ekholm, Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis. Subban, a Norris Trophy candidate, was also third on the team with 59 points, trailing Viktor Arvidsson (61) and Filip Forsberg (64). The Predators were 4-0 vs. the Avalanche this season (three by at least two goals) and have won 10 straight in the series overall.
