Nashville Predators vs. Carolina Hurricanes Game 5 Prediction, Playoff Odds
Nashville fans have been getting a lot of bang for their buck when it comes to ticket sales, as the Predators beat the Carolina Hurricanes in double overtime for the second straight game on Sunday. This time it was Luke Kunin who was the hero for the Preds. After opening the scoring less than a minute into Game 4, Kunin tickled the twine for the second time on Sunday, just under four minutes into the second overtime period. The series now shifts back to Carolina, all tied up at two games apiece.
The Hurricanes are -191 favourites to win Game 5, with the total at 5.5 on the NHL odds.
Predators vs. Hurricanes Stanley Cup Odds Analysis
Sports Interaction bettors are expecting plenty of goals in this game, with 78 per cent of action taking the Over. That faith makes sense, as three of the four games in this series have gone above the number. There’s also faith that Carolina will get back to their winning ways on home ice, with 81 per cent of bettors backing the ‘Canes to win.
Home ice could be exactly what the Hurricanes need to break the tie in this series. Carolina has won eight of their last nine home games, while Nashville has dropped four of their last six road games. The Hurricanes were 18-13 against the spread at home in the regular season, while the Predators were an even 15-15 ATS on the road.
Nashville Predators
Kunin was the OT hero, but Juuse Saros was the story of Game 4. For the second straight game, Saros broke the franchise record for most saves in a playoff game, stopping 58 of 61 shots. He’s just the second NHL goalie since 1955-56 to record at least 50 saves in back-to-back playoff games. Saros is now the ninth goaltender in NHL history to record at least 58 saves in a playoff game and play less than 100 minutes.
Along with Kunin’s two goals, Ryan Johansen scored for the second straight game and Nick Cousins found the back of the net for the first time in this year’s postseason. Viktor Arvidsson’s status for Game 5 is up in the air. He’s missed the last two games with an upper-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.
Carolina Hurricanes
You can’t blame Alex Nedelijkovic for Sunday’s loss. The rookie goaltender made 39 saves in Game 4, two days after making 49 saves in Game 3. It’s been an exhausting stretch of hockey for the Hurricanes, who have played almost 200 minutes of hockey over Games 3 and 4. The total combined time played on Friday and Sunday was 191:04, equivalent to three regulation games and half of another period. They were two of the three longest playoff games in franchise history. Brett Pesce (79:43) and Brady Skjei (77:01) logged the most ice time among Carolina players in the two games. Pesce had 40:16 of ice time in Game 4 alone and has had 107:45 of ice time over the last three games.
Vincent Trocheck opened the scoring for the ‘Canes in the first period with his second goal in as many games, while Brock McGinn scored at the end of the second and again 13 seconds into the third. There’s a chance Carolina might get a boost to the lineup for Game 5. Defenceman Jaccob Slavin, who has missed the last three games with a lower-body injury, is reportedly close to returning and will likely be a game-time decision.
