Predators vs. Lightning NHL Odds, Picks, Predictions: Expect More Than Six Goals? (April 23)

Predators vs. Lightning Odds

The Central Division's fourth-place Nashville Predators travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Atlantic Division's third-place Lightning.

This is the second meeting between these two teams this season, as the Lightning won the first matchup, 3-2.

Will we see another low-scoring affair between these two, or will we see more goals this time around?

Preds Need Better Road Production From Saros

When playing on the road this season, the over is a hot bet for the Nashville Predators. Out of their 38 road games this year, 27 have gone over the total.

I believe this trend is partly due to Juuse Saros' dip in production when not playing at Bridgestone Arena. Saros, the projected starting goaltender for Nashville in this matchup, has seen his save percentage dip to 0.910 on the road this year.

While that is still a good save percentage, it is much lower than his season mark of 0.927. Saros also enters this matchup in poor form, as he has allowed three or more goals in three of his last four games. He has also posted a mere 0.875 save percentage over that stretch.

However, Saros should get good scoring help from a Predators roster that has no issues scoring the puck. This season, Nashville ranks 12th in the league in goals scored per game.

Lightning Feature Elite Offense

The Tampa Bay Lightning enter this contest following Thursday night's 8-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Thursday's win was yet another high-scoring outing for this Lightning team, as there has been six or more total goals scored in four straight games and in nine of their last 12.

Since Tampa Bay is on the front half of a back-to-back, backup goaltender Brian Elliott is projected to get the start between the pipes. Like Saros, Elliott has allowed three or more goals in three of his last four starts.

Also like Saros, Elliott should get plenty of scoring help from his offense. This season, the Lightning rank 10th in the league in five-on-five expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF).

Tampa Bay's offense has been in particularly great form recently, as it has scored an average of 3.7 goals per game over its last 10 contests.

I expect this offensive surge to continue on the Lightning's home ice, especially following that great eight-goal performance against Toronto on Thursday. That outing may spark an end-of-the-season run for the Lightning.

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Predators vs. Lightning Pick

We have two very good offenses squaring off in what I suspect should be a high-scoring affair. While their last game only saw five total goals, there have been six or more goals scored in five of their previous eight meetings before then.

With Saros not performing as strong on the road and Elliott projected to get the start over Andrei Vasilevskiy for Tampa Bay, I think we should be able to get at least six goals in this game.

Pick: Predators/Lightning o6 (-120) | Play up to (-130)