Jets vs. Predators: Game 5 Prediction, NHL Playoff Odds
This best of seven series is now a best of three series starting Saturday night.
Jets vs Predators Stanley Cup Playoffs Betting Analysis
The home team in this head-to-head match-up is 9-4 in the last 13 games, and the Jets are 2-5 in their last seven games in Nashville. But they can take comfort knowing they beat the Predators in game one of this series. The Jets are 8-0 in their last eight games when they hold their opponent to two or less goals the previous game, while the Predators have a hard time getting on a roll. They are 0-4 in their last four games following a victory.
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets saw their 13-game home winning streak snapped Thursday in game four, and now must regroup for game five back in Nashville. The Jets were outshot 16-3 between the midway point of the second period and into the third period. In fact, they didn’t register their first shot in the third period until the eight minute mark of the frame. It’s lapses like this that that have fans scratching their heads, hoping for a more complete game from a team that is clearly in this series.
Good news for the Jets, as sniper Patrik Laine finally netted his first goal of this series, and first goal since game two of the series against Minnesota. Now the Jets have to hope his scoring continues, and they would like contributions from Nik Ehlers, who hasn’t scored a goal since April 3 (10 games), and Kyle Connor, who hasn’t scored since April 7 (9 games). The pair had 60 goals combined during the regular season.
Nashville Predators
Game four in Winnipeg was maybe the best overall post season game this year for Pekka Rinne. Rinne turned aside 32 of 33 shots he faced, including several key chances late in the game. His shutout bid was busted with 51 seconds remaining in the third period, but that’s the only goal he would allow. No surprise, he was the game’s first star. PK Subban continues to be a thorn in the side of the Jets, scoring the eventual game winner, and playing another 25-plus minutes of ice time. In fact, Subban has played at least 25:41 in each of the four games in this series, and has points in three straight games (3 goals, 2 assists) entering game five.
Head Coach Peter Laviolette changed up his line-up for game four, inserting veteran Scott Hartnell for the first time in this series. He chipped in with three shots on goal, and provided veteran presence to the line-up. Keep an eye out for Austin Watson. Watson only has one goal in this series, but the work he does for the Predators should be noted. Watson leads all Predators forwards with 29 hits, and second in blocked shots. The Predators are also outscoring opponents 8-0 with Watson on the ice in this post season.
