Predators vs. Canucks Odds
| Predators Odds | +124 |
| Canucks Odds | -148 |
| Over / Under | 6 -120 / +100 |
For a welcomed change, the Vancouver Canucks have started the season on their front foot and actually helped their playoff chances significantly with a 5-2-1 start despite a tough schedule.
They have allowed only 2.38 goals against per game, in large part due to elite goaltending from Thatcher Demko and Casey DeSmith.
The visiting Nashville Predators own an elite netminder of their own in Juuse Saros, who has been true to form in the early season. The Preds have allowed only 2.88 goals per game this season, but they've struggled to generate much at the other end in the early going.
Here's my breakdown and prediction for Predators vs. Canucks on Tuesday.
Nashville Predators
The Predators do not boast much in the way of elite offensive talents. Not for a team that could potentially steal a wild-card berth in the Western Conference anyway.
If the Predators are to overachieve and steal a playoff berth, it will likely come with strong team play. If they do that, Saros should be able to handle much of what's coming his way.
And in doing so, the Predators will have to like their chances of stealing games.
The Predators have allowed only 3.08 expected goals against per 60 this season, which is the 10th-best mark in the league.
It is realistic for them to continue being at least a league-average side in terms of chance suppression, and that should lead to low goals against totals considering the strength of their netminding.
Saros has been one of only a few netminders to dominate season after season in recent years. He covers up for a relatively small stature with tremendous movement, and he reads play exceptionally well. Saros owns a +0.5 GSAx in eight appearances this season with a .915 save %.
Vancouver Canucks
When Rick Tocchet took over the Canucks last spring, it was well known that his primary objective was to revamp the team's leaky defensive play.
Mission accomplished so far; Vancouver has allowed only 2.38 goals against per game this season.
The Canucks 3.30 xGA/60 mark suggests regression is coming in terms of their goals allowed totals, and it is hard to argue against that being the case. The fact that Tocchet's roster is never likely to own a lofty percentage of the overall play will prevent them from being a dominant defensive side.
It's clear that the soft breakdowns we saw them allow much of last season are starting to dry up, though, and they have become a tougher team to play against.
Thatcher Demko has the potential for a monster bounce-back season after an injury-plagued 2022-23 campaign.
Playing at full health, Demko still deserves to be viewed as one of the league's best starters.
He has proven that early this season with a +3.5 GSAx and .935 save %.
Predators vs. Canucks
Betting Pick & Prediction
The Predators are not a team that will blow the doors off many opponents this season with high-powered offensive play. They will look to win games with structured defensive play and prevent the kind of complete breakdowns that Saros can't handle.
That's what we should expect from them on the road in Vancouver, which should lend itself well to a bet on the game to go under.
Canucks coach Rick Tocchet will continue to preach for his side to display a more urgent effort when playing without the puck this season. Their roster makeup should prevent them from being a true stalwart, but Thatcher Demko is one of the top goaltenders in the league and can help hide some flaws.
This total should be set at 5.5 all day long if the goaltending matchup is Saros vs. Demko, which is what I am expecting as this does not set up as a schedule spot for either side to play its backup.
Grabbing the total of 6 that is widely available at the time of writing on Tuesday morning provides lots of value, and I would play 6 down to -130.
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Pick: Under 6 (-118 at DraftKings) | Play to: -130
