Predators vs Canucks Odds, Game 2 Preview
| Predators Odds | +140 |
| Canucks Odds | -165 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 -115o / -105u |
Here's everything you need to know about the Predators vs. Canucks Game 2 on Tuesday, April 23 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Nashville made things interesting in Game 1, but a third-period rally resulted in a 4-2 victory for the Canucks.
Will the Predators be able to seal the deal this time, or is Vancouver destined to head to Nashville with a 2-0 series lead? Let's analyze the upcoming contest and offer a Nashville vs. Vancouver Game 2 preview.
Nashville Predators
The Predators held a 1-0 lead going into the first intermission and a 2-1 edge heading into the second before the Canucks' comeback.
Interestingly, Nashville outshot Vancouver 10-7 in the final frame, so it's not like the Predators were overwhelmed in the final frame in that regard.
That said, Vancouver finished the contest with a 3.17 to 2.53 edge in expected goals, so an argument can be made that the better team won.
Even still, Nashville could have come out ahead if Juuse Saros had a better game. It wasn't a disastrous performance for the Predators goaltender, but he wasn't mistake-free either. In particular, the Elias Lindholm goal early in the second period is one he probably should have had.
Saros was a bit of a mixed bag during the regular season with a 35-24-5 record, 2.86 GAA and .906 save percentage. On top of that, he's now allowed at least three goals in each of his past four games. Nashville needs him to be at his very best against the high-powered Canucks offense if the Predators are to win this series.
The top line will also need to come up big for the Predators. Filip Forsberg and Gustav Nyquist did assist on a Ryan O'Reilly power-play goal, which is what put the Predators ahead 2-1, so the top-line trio certainly factored into the game. But going forward, they'll be looking to also contribute at even strength.
Forsberg, in particular, could potentially do more after finishing the contest with a team-worst -0.82 5v5 on-ice expected goals differential while being limited to just 0.052 5v5 xG. He was Nashville's offensive leader in the regular season with 48 goals and 94 points in 82 contests, so a lot is riding on his play.
The silver lining is Nashville showed it could match Vancouver in this series, even if it fell just short in Game 1. Plus, if the Predators can take Game 2, then they'll still be in a solid position after the first two contests in Vancouver.
Vancouver Canucks
Most people probably didn't predict Dakota Joshua as the game's MVP with two goals – the game-winner followed by an empty-netter – and a primary assist. The 27-year-old certainly wasn't a major offensive factor in the regular season with 18 goals and 32 points in 63 outings. However, he did enter the playoffs hot, supplying six goals and nine points over his final 11 regular-season contests, so perhaps he was being overlooked a bit.
Regardless, getting that kind of secondary scoring out of a third-liner is a huge luxury, and if he can continue to factor into this series, then Vancouver will be in a very strong position.
The Canucks also have to be thrilled that Lindholm found the back of the net. As noted above, it was on a shot that Saros arguably should have stopped, but the Canucks will still happily take that, especially after Lindholm was underwhelming with six goals and 12 points in 26 appearances after being acquired by Calgary.
The Canucks paid a premium for Lindholm under the belief that the two-way forward would expand the Canucks' core forward group. That didn't play out as hoped in the regular season, but if he steps up in the playoffs, then it will still be looked back on as a worthwhile trade by Vancouver.
While the depth did a great job in Game 1, Vancouver will be looking for more out of its main three attackers of Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller and Brock Boeser going forward. Boeser and Miller were each limited to a secondary assist – and Miller's helper came on the empty-net goal – while Pettersson didn't factor on the scoresheet at all.
However, Pettersson finished third on the Canucks in xG with 0.558 and Miller was fourth with 0.4, so they did make their presence known, and it wouldn't be shocking to see them breakthrough tonight.
Predators vs Canucks
Betting Pick & Prediction
As was the case in Game 1, Vancouver is regarded as a significant favorite tonight.
Taking the Canucks on the puck line in Game 1 proved to be worthwhile, and I'm going to recommend that again this time (the spread is 1.5 goals in favor of the Predators).
Nashville clearly has its strengths, but unless Saros is at his best, the Predators will find it difficult to wrestle one from the Canucks in Vancouver.
