Carolina will try to buck a trend when they head into the May 27th Hurricanes at Predators game 6 matchup. Home teams have won every game so far in this divisional series, which has allowed Carolina to take a 3-2 lead coming into game 6 at Bridgestone Arena.
The last three games in this series have gone to OT, so the #1 vs. #4 seed matchup is closer than you’d think. The two previous games in Nashville even needed double OT to decide them, so would paying the -225 for the Nashville +1.5 puck line be worth it? The ‘Canes are -145 to get the first road win in this series, and +185 if they do it by -1.5 goals.
Can Carolina Close Things Out?
Carolina is in a great spot to close out this series, but do they go for broke in the Hurricanes at Predators game 6 matchup or hold out knowing they have a game 7 at PNC Arena in hand? The Hurricanes dominated the first two games of this series at home, 5-2 and 3-0, but needed OT for a 3-2 victory on Tuesday.
As for their games at Bridgestone this series, there’s positives and negatives to take away for the ‘Canes. Sure they lost both contests in Nashville, but both games needed two OTs to be decided. That being said, it’s four straight losses in Nashville for Carolina, who also dropped the last two games of the regular season in Music City by a combined score of 8-1.
Carolina goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic has been great at home this series (4 GA in three games), but the two contests in Nashville have been a different story. In the first road playoff games of his career, Nedeljkovic has allowed 9 goals – although that did come on 97 shots in two double OT contests.
Nashville Home Ice Gets It Done?
The Predators have allowed 12,000+ fans back to Bridgestone Arena, which has helped them win both home games this series. Make no mistake those two double OT victories haven’t been easy, but this crowd has a reputation for being raucous which gives Nashville some great value at +125 in game 6.
Nashville might be gaining momentum too, losing on Tuesday in Carolina but in a much better showing than their first two games at PNC Arena. Yakov Trenin had both of the Predators goals in game 5, and Nashville absolutely pelted Nedeljkovic in their two home games this series, shooting 54 and 43 SOG.
Besides home ice, another reason to like the Preds in this do-or-die game is because Juuse Saros has been very good even while also facing a flurry of shots. Saros did allow 7 goals in the two games at Bridgestone Arena this series, but also had 110 saves in those meetings. Will facing 37+ shots in 4 of the last 5 games catch up to the Nashville goaltender though – although he was 15-0-3 with a 1.86 GAA at home this season.
Free Hurricanes at Predators Game 6 Pick
Carolina is the better team overall in Thursday’s contest, so the first road win of the series wouldn’t be a surprise. 55% of the public are on the Hurricanes, but one would have to think the value is on Nashville here at +125, at home where Saros has been great this season.
Predators 5 – Hurricanes 3
Free Pick: Predators +120
Free Pick: Over 5.5
