Carolina Hurricanes vs. Nashville Predators Game 3 Prediction, Playoff Odds
Alex Nedelijkovic continues to be the story of the Hurricanes as the rookie goalie has now won both of his two career playoff starts, shutting out the Predators 3-0 on Wednesday. Carolina leads the best-of-seven series 2-0, with the series shifting to Nashville for Game 3 on Friday.
The Hurricanes are -148 favourites to win on the NHL odds, with the total dipping all the way down to 5.0.
Hurricanes vs. Predators Stanley Cup Odds
With the total so low in this game, the Over/Under stats could be a little deceiving. The total has gone Under in six of the 10 games between these teams in 2021 (regular season and playoffs combined), but keep in mind this is the lowest total of any of those games. Most early Sports Interaction bettors seem to have sniffed that out, as 78 per cent of action is siding with the Over. Just under 80 per cent of bettors are taking Carolina to win this game and extend their series lead.
If history is any indication, this series might not make it back to Carolina after Games 3 and 4. The Hurricanes have won 15 of their last 18 games against the Preds overall, including six of their last eight in Nashville. The total has gone Under in five of the last six games between these teams.
Carolina Hurricanes
Nedelijkovic continues to impress as he’s now stopped 54 of 56 shots faced in his NHL playoff career. The only other Hurricanes rookie goalie to post a playoff shutout was Cam Ward in 2006. Ward finished with two shutouts in that postseason, on the way to a Conn Smythe win and the only Stanley Cup championship in franchise history. Sebastian Aho scored the first two goals of the game on Wednesday, while Warren Foegele buried the insurance-marker. Defenceman Jaccob Slavin was a late scratch with a lower-body injury. Jake Gardiner replaced Slavin in the lineup and finished with five hits and three blocked shots in just over nine minutes of action. Keep an eye on Slavin’s availability for Game 3 as we get closer to puck drop.
Nashville Predators
Nashville needs to improve their special teams or this could be a quick series. The penalty kill did their job, killing off two of three penalties, but the power play is hurting the Preds. Despite getting 10 shots on net during the man advantage, the Predators couldn’t capitalize on seven power play opportunities in Game 2. Nashville is 0-for-10 on the power play in this series. Goalie Juuse Saros did all he could, stopping 28 of 30 shots faced (Aho’s second goal for Carolina was an empty-netter). Forward Calle Jarnkrok didn’t play in Game 2 due to a non-COVID related illness. Eeli Tolvanen replaced Jarnkrok in the lineup, finishing minus-1. Defenceman Roman Josi led the Predators in ice time (26:29) and shots on net (eight).
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