Hurricanes vs. Predators Odds
| Hurricanes Odds | -134 |
| Predators Odds | +112 |
| Over / Under | 6.5 +100 / -122 |
Here's everything you need to know about Hurricanes vs. Predators on Wednesday, Dec. 27 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
These two clubs just squared off on December 15, with Nashville claiming a 6-5 overtime victory in Raleigh. Will the Predators take care of business once again, or can Carolina grab revenge as a short road favorite?
Let's dig into the NHL odds and make a Hurricanes vs Predators prediction and pick.
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Carolina Hurricanes
Carolina has yet to find its groove and return to the powerhouse we are accustomed to seeing from the Rod Brind'Amour-led group. The Canes sit in an unfamiliar fifth-place spot in the Metropolitan Division and are just 17-13-4.
The most concerning aspect is that things seem to be getting worse. Carolina lost four of five games prior to the holiday break, with one of those losses coming against tonight's opponent.
In fact, the Hurricanes have lost each of their previous three matchups against Nashville.
There is no denying that the Canes still play a solid brand of hockey in all three zones, but inconsistent goaltending has been a major issue this season. A big part of that trend has been the play of Pyotr Kochetkov, who is slated to guard the cage on Wednesday night.
Through 18 appearances in the crease this year, Kochetkov is 7-7-3 with a .894 SV%. He had a troubling start to the campaign, but started to put things together in the middle of December.
However, just when I thought he found a rhythm, Kohcetkov got shelled — allowing five goals on 28 shots for a mere .821 SV% against the New York Islanders in his most recent outing. Carolina lost that game 5-4.
Nashville Predators
Across the ice, goaltender Juuse Saros is projected to start for the Predators. Once again carrying this team, Saros is 15-12 with a .909 SV% through 27 starts.
Entering this matchup in particularly great form, Saros is 7-2 with a .933 SV% over his past nine starts. That success is likely to continue against the Hurricanes, a team Saros is 3-2 against with a stellar .945 SV% over his past five regular-season starts.
It certainly helps his cause that the Predators are giving him perhaps the best two-way play we have seen from this lineup over the past few seasons. At 5-on-5, they rank 11th in the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) and 14th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60).
Those aren't the most dominating analytics, but they are above average in both key categories and that is markedly better than what we have seen from this group previously. With good two-way play and Saros' typical dominance, it's not shocking that this team has won 14 of its past 19 games.
Hurricanes vs. Predators
Betting Pick & Prediction
Posting a 14-5 record over their past 19 games, the Predators aren't a team I want to bet against right now. I think Carolina has the higher ceiling this season and will eventually turn things around, but these clubs are playing two different brands of hockey right now.
Furthermore, I trust Saros far more than I trust Kochetkov. Additionally, we're catching the Predators at plus-money on home ice.
I'd take this line down to +105.
Pick: Predators Moneyline (+115 at bet365 | Play to +105)
