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Nashville Predators vs. Phoenix Coyotes (Fri, Apr 27 9:00 PM ET)
Nashville Predators and Phoenix Coyotes meet in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals (Fri, Apr 27 9:00 PM ET). The big theme of the Stanley Cup Playoffs so far has been the road-ice advantage and that could continue in this series. During the regular season, Nashville and Phoenix met four times and the visiting team won each time. 10 scored for the Coyotes, while the Predators got goals from 11 different players.
This one features a tremendous goaltending matchup as Smith squares off against Vezina Trophy finalist Pekka Rinne, as in the other Western Conference Semifinal series between St. Louis and Los Angeles. No goalie won more than Rinne’s 43 games, while Smith’s eight shutouts ranked third in the NHL this season. That is not to say Nashville and Phoenix got here solely on the strength of their netminders. Rookie Gabriel Bourque emerged as a scoring sensation as the Predators disposed of the Red Wings, while in consecutive games of the Coyotes’ first-round win over the Blackhawks, Mikkel Boedker scored overtime goals.
Nashville has won a playoff series and finds itself in the second round for the second straight season. Unlike last year, when their next opponent was the Presidents’ Trophy-winning Canucks, this time the Predators needed only five games to advance past a team that has been among the League’s elite for the past two decades and many will consider the Predators to be favorites in their matchup with the Coyotes.
For Phoenix, this is an unchartered territory. Prior to defeating Chicago, it had never won a playoff round. In fact, it had been 25 years since the franchise last advanced in the postseason. The Coyotes, playing from in front, spent much of their series against the Blackhawks, but due to an inability to close out games had to endure the first five games of the series going overtime, tying a 61-year-old NHL record.
Nashville defenseman Hal Gill has a lower-body injury and he has missed the entire first round. He is still uncertain for Game 1. During the series finale against Chicago, Phoenix defenseman Michal Rozsival and Rostislav Klesla were banged up. in the opening minutes, Klesla suffered an injury to his face. He returned wearing a full cage. Rozsival was checked from behind by Jimmy Hayes, resulting in stitches inside his mouth.
Western Conference Semifinals have spiced up the wagering odds. The best betting NHL odds for Predators (10/11), while for Coyotes (18/19).
Tagged Nashville Predators, NHL Odds, Phoenix Coyotes
Vancouver Canucks Vs. Nashville Predators – Match Analysis
On Monday night, in NHL Game 6, the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Nashville Predators 2-1. By winning the best of seven series 4-2, Vancouver will now meet the winner between the Detroit Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks.
After finishing on top during the NHL’s regular season, Vancouver began the Cup chase as the 3-1 favorites. The Canucks has not been to a conference final for 17 years.
Roberto Luongo made 23 saves for the Canucks, who last made it to the conference finals in 1994 when they defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in five games to advance to their second Stanley Cup Finals while Mason Raymond and Daniel Sedin had first period goals.
In the second period David Legwand scored. The Predators, who were in the semifinals for the first time in club history after dispatching Anaheim in the first round, Pekka Rinne made 17 saves for them.
Even though a pair of third period goals from Joel Ward helped Nashville win an elimination game for the first time in franchise history, Vancouver had a chance to win the series at home on Saturday. In order to take a 2-0 lead, the Canucks, though, came out on fire and scored two goals less than two minutes apart.
As Ryan Suter turned the puck over in his own end the first goal came at the 7:45 mark. Although Ryan Kesler again got the puck and from behind the left side of the net he centered it for Raymond, who shifted to the backhand and slid the puck in, he grabbed the disc and his first pass attempt was blocked.
On Saturday the Vancouver Canucks’ Western Conference final series will begin.
Sunday Clash Between Chicago Blackhawks And Nashville Predators
On Sunday, the Chicago Blackhawks will clash with the Nashville. Both these teams are fighting to overtake the Detroit Red Wings in the Central Division as these two teams are division rivals. While the Predators are sitting at 23-13-6 on the season, the Blackhawks are currently 23-18-3 on the season. In NHL lines, the betting odds for this matchup have not yet published.
Against each other, these teams match up very well. In the NHL, the Predators are one of the best defensive teams. For each game, they are only allowing 2.3 goals, which is the second best average of any team in the league. As they have a fantastic penalty kill percentage, much of their success defensively has come. In the NHL in penalty kill percentage at 85.7%, they are 3rd.
In every way the Blackhawks are almost the opposite of the Predators. In the league, the Blackhawks have one of the best offenses. This season, they are averaging 3.1 goals per game. In the NHL, that is good for the 5th best average. The Blackhawks’ fantastic attack on the power play has been the key for them. In the NHL at 24.8 percent, the Black Hawks have the best power play conversion percentage.
If the defense of the Predators will be able to stand against the offense of the Blackhawks will be very interesting to watch. Whether or not the Predators can get going offensively will be one other factor in this game. They have only managed to score 2.5 goals per game this season, while they only allow 2.3 goals per game.
On Sunday night, this game will take place in Chicago.