Vancouver Canucks vs
Nashville PredatorsPredictions & Preview

Nashville Predators Favored to Even Series Against Vancouver Canucks in Game 4 of Playoffs

The postseason is in full swing with the second-seeded Vancouver Canucks taking on the seventh-seeded Nashville Predators in Game 4 of their best-of-seven series. Vancouver currently leads the series 2-1 after a 2-1 victory in Game 3. Despite being the underdog, Nashville is favored to win Game 4, with the betting line opening at -124 and currently at -116. These teams have met once before in the postseason, with the Canucks coming out on top with a 4-2 series win in 2011.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Canucks +100 | Predators -116
• Spread: Canucks +1.5 (-250) | Predators -1.5 (+210)
• Total: Over/Under 5.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Nashville will win straight-up is 54%.

Vancouver vs Nashville Stats

Vancouver Canucks

In Game 3, the Vancouver Canucks showcased their strong defensive performance but struggled offensively, managing to secure a victory on the road. Despite being tied for 10th in goals per game and 5th in goals against in the league, Vancouver's offensive prowess failed to shine in this game. They were able to take the lead in the first period with J.T. Miller's power-play goal, followed by Brock Boeser's goal in the second period. Despite being outshot and outscored in the third period, the Canucks held on for the win with Casey DeSmith making 29 saves. With Thatcher Demko likely out until the conference finals, Vancouver looks to continue their success in Game 4 and potentially take a 3-1 series lead. Their strong power play and penalty killing units, along with solid goaltending, have been key factors in their playoff performance. In the regular season, Vancouver ranks 9th in offense, 6th in defense, and has a record of 52-24-9.

Nashville Predators Analysis

During Game 3, Nashville dominated play and outshot Vancouver, but ultimately fell short, losing the home ice advantage they had gained with a Game 2 victory. Nashville now faces a crucial Game 4 to avoid falling into a 3-1 series deficit. Throughout the playoffs, the Predators have shown a solid offense, tying for 10th in goals per game and 5th in goals against. Their power play success is ranked 15th in the league, while their penalty killing is 8th. Despite plenty of offensive opportunities in Game 3, Nashville couldn't convert enough to secure a win, ultimately losing 2-1. Juuse Saros is expected to be in net for the Predators in the upcoming game. The team holds a power ranking of 6 and ranks 11th in offense, scoring an average of 3.27 goals per game. In their last three matchups, Vancouver went 1-2-0 against Nashville. For more NHL picks and betting information, be sure to check out our free NHL picks.

Canucks Face Strategic Dilemma in Demko's Absence Against Predators

In order to succeed in this series without Demko, the Canucks must consider two strategic approaches. One option is to display aggression on the offensive front, with the aim of outscoring Saros and compensating for any defensive errors. However, this tactic proved unsuccessful in Game 2, resulting in an early deficit that could not be overcome. The alternative, demonstrated in Game 3, involved being outshot but capitalizing on power play opportunities for a narrow victory. Though DeSmith performed well in Game 3, relying on consistent exceptional performances may be challenging. Considering these factors, it appears likely that the Predators, energized by their home crowd, will capitalize on defensive lapses to even the series as it moves back to Vancouver.

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