Canucks vs. Predators Prediction
| Canucks Odds | +116 |
| Predators Odds | -140 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 -114 / -105 |
Here's everything you need to know about the Canucks vs. Predators Game 4 on Sunday, April 28 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
What was made to seem like a one-sided series is now as even as it gets. The Canucks lost their No. 1 goaltender in Thatcher Demko all playoffs, and Vancouver’s chances to contend for the Stanley Cup decreased dramatically.
The Predators were this season’s darlings after going on an incredible 16-0-2 run toward the end of the season. Nashville has its work cut out though; the Canucks were in contention for the Presidents' Trophy all season long.
How does this series line up for Game 4? Let’s dive in and determine the value for tonight’s game.
Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver may have one of the deepest teams in the NHL. Quinn Hughes is as dynamic as they come, averaging more than a point per game this series. J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser each had career-best seasons.
What’s interesting, though, is that Elias Pettersson has been essentially invisible all series.
Apart from its depth, what makes this team so deadly is its strong 5-on-5 game. However, it hasn’t boded well these playoffs, playing to a 49.14 xGF% (expected goals).
Defensively, it’s been a bit of a different story: The Canucks are fourth with a 2.67 xGA/60.
Vancouver’s power play has been strong so far, scoring at a 22% clip. Not only that, but it’s dominated on the penalty kill with a 92% success rate.
The Canucks had the unfortunate displeasure of losing one of the league’s top goalies for the playoffs in Demko due to an injury. Vancouver will look to career backup Casey Desmith to take on the reins.
Desmith is fine as a backup, and he's done OK these playoffs with a .911 SV% and a -0.2 GSAx, but he’s as volatile as ever.
Nashville Predators
Filip Forsberg made Predators history this year with the most goals in a single season with 48. Not only that, he’s averaging a point per game along with Jason Zucker. Keep an eye out for Ryan O’Reilly and Gustav Nyquist as well. Nyquist, the 34 year old, posted a career-best season this year. He and O’Reilly are due to make an impact in this series.
I’m also looking for captain Roman Josi to make more of an impact on the scoresheet. He’s been limited to one assist in three games while posting 90 points for the season.
Nashville’s 5-on-5 game during the playoffs has been decent. The Predators have played to an eighth-best 50.86 xGF%, and they've been exceptional defensively with a third-best 2.58 xGA/60.
For the better part of the year, the Predators had a strong power play, but they were stifled by a stalwart in Vancouver. Similarly, the penalty kill hasn’t boded well with a 77% success rate.
Aside from Game 2, Juuse Saros has had a rough outing so far, including letting up two goals on only 12 shots in Game 3. Saros’ resume speaks for itself. However, he had a relatively down year this season with a .906 SV% and a -3.0 GSAx.
Let’s see if the former Vezina Trophy nominee can pick it up tonight.
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Canucks vs. Predators
Betting Pick & Prediction
Had Demko been available, I’d probably be more bullish toward the Canucks.
However, Desmith has spent his career as a backup for a very good reason. You can count on him for a good game every now and then, but as a consistent starter, you’d have better chances of hitting zero in roulette.
I like the Predators tonight. We haven’t seen much of Josi or O’Reilly, but both produced at a high level on home ice this season. Additionally, as weak as Saros has been, I still have a lot more faith in him than I do his counterpart.
Let’s make this series fun – and go into Game 5 tied at two apiece.
Pick: Nashville Predators (-120 at Caesars Sportsbook)
