Predators vs Canucks Picks, Predictions & Odds – Game 1

The Vancouver Canucks will host a home playoff Game for the first time since 2015 when they entertain the Nashville Predators in Game 1 of their opening-round series at Rogers Arena.

Vancouver swept the three-game regular-season series and is listed as a -143 moneyline favorite in the NHL odds. Nashville is back in the postseason for the ninth time in 10 years thanks to huge second-half run. 

Let’s break down this Western Conference series with my free NHL picks and Predators vs. Canucks below.

Predators vs Canucks prediction

My best bet
Canucks -1.5 (+170 at SportsInteraction)

My analysis

The Vancouver Canucks came out of the gate hot and remained one of the most consistent teams in the NHL, finishing the regular season averaging 3.4 goals per game and surrendering just 2.70 per contest.

Both of those figures are Top-6 marks in hockey with Vancouver the only team to rank Top 6 in each. If there are concerns heading into Game 1, it was the finish to the regular season, as Vancouver mustered just five wins in 11 games.

Thatcher Demko did return from a long injury absence to start the final two games of the year, and if he’s right, his 2.45 GAA and .918 SV% should be a huge boost.

The Nashville Predators cemented its playoff space with an incredible 16-0-2 run from February 17 to March 26 with the best record in hockey over that span, four points clear of the Hurricanes.

The Predators ranked as the top-scoring team in hockey at 4.11 goals per Game, while allowing just 1.83 per contest — no other team even checked in at better than 2.12.

However, their home stretch was just as inconsistent as Vancouver’s, going 4-6 over the final 10 games of the year, winning back-to-back games just one time.

While Vancouver would be my bet to win outright, the juice is too tempting to cover the puck line at -1.5. The Canucks are 6-4 in the last 10 meetings against Nashville with all six of those wins coming by 2+ goals, including each of the last two.

Predators vs Canucks same-game parlay (SGP)

Let’s just get to the heavy hitters as we build out a Game 1 SGP. Filip Forsberg was mostly held off the scoresheet against Vancouver this season with just an assist in three Games, but it’s hard to not pick him to light the lamp Sunday.

The 29-year-old finished the regular season in a flurry, with five goals in his final three games, including a hat-trick effort against the Blackhawks. That helped him to a career-best 48 goals, which ranked sixth in the NHL.

He took off as the team did in mid-February, picking up 23 goals and 41 points over the final 28 games of the campaign. He’ll need to play a key part for Nashville to steal Game 1.

J.T. Miller posted the best scoring season of his 13-year career with a personal-best 37 goals and 103 points, putting him into the Top 10 in scoring this season.

Miller sat out the season finale against the Jets, but he did tally in his final game against the Flames and he finished the regular season on an 11-game point streak.

He had one goal in three regular-season matchups against Nashville. Miller should also be prominent on the powerplay — where he had 10 goals on the year — and he’ll match up against a Nashville penalty kill that ranked 22nd in the NHL.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Predators vs Canucks odds

Predators vs Canucks live odds

Predators vs Canucks opening odds

• Puck line: Nashville +1.5 (-190) | Vancouver -1.5 (+150)
• Moneyline: Nashville +125 | Vancouver -165
• Over/Under: Over 5.5 | Under 5.5

Predators vs Canucks moneyline and Over/Under analysis

• The Predators have won seven straight against Pacific Division opponents.
  
  
• Vancouver is 5-2 in its last seven as the betting favorite.
  
  
• The Over has hit in six of the last seven head-to-head matchups.
  
  
• Nashville has gone Under the total in four of its last six games.

Predators vs Canucks trend

The Predators would have gone Over a 5.5-goal total in 50 of their 82 regular-season games. Find more NHL betting trends for Predators vs. Canucks.

Predators vs Canucks game info

Predators vs Canucks latest injuries