NHL Free Picks For The Chicago At Nashville Match

It wouldn’t be the NHL playoffs if we didn’t have a surprise or two in the mix. We already have a couple of teams – Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets – on the brink of elimination, and we could have a couple more joining them on Monday night. Perhaps the biggest surprise here is that the #1 ranked team in the Western Conference, the Chicago Blackhawks, could well find themselves in a 3-game hole at the hands of the Nashville Predators. It’s not just that they are losing that is surprising, but also the way in which it is happening. How does one of the best offenses in the league suddenly switch off and find themselves unable to score a single goal in two games on home ice? This is a question that the Blackhawks are going to need to find a way to answer if they want to get back into this series. For the Predators, Game 3 is simply a matter of continuing to do what they have delivered so far in the first 2 games. Find out more about the updated NHL betting picks here.

In Depth Analysis On The NHL Free Picks For The Blackhawks At Predators Match

When: Monday, April 17 at 9:30 PM EST Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville TV: CNBC Live Stream: NHL.TV NHL Odds: Nashville Predators -1½ (+265)    

Why bet on the Chicago Blackhawks

What appeared to be nothing more than a team taking their foot off the gas to end the season now looks as though it may have been a sign of something more troubling. The Blackhawks lost their final 4 games of the regular season after clinching the #1 seed in the West, and they appear to be discovering how difficult it is to turn the switch back on after powering down. The 1-0 loss in Game 1 could be dismissed as a bit of an off night, but the 5-0 loss in Game 2 must be a little disturbing for this group. It’s not time to panic just yet, especially when you consider that Chicago won both games in Nashville during the regular season, and that they had won 4 straight against them overall. Make no mistake, though, Game 3 is a must win.

Why bet on the Nashville Predators

You don’t need to be a hockey guru to understand that giving up 0 goals in 2 games on the road is a sign of defensive brilliance. What may be getting lost here, though, is how disciplined the Predators have been playing against the Blackhawks. They steered clear of penalty trouble in both games, whilst taking their offensive opportunities when they were handed them. As exciting as this must be for Nashville, they will be completely aware that the job is only half done, and they will also not be forgetting that they were dominated on home ice by the Blackhawks during the regular season.

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

While I think that the Blackhawks are in real serious trouble, I just don’t see them getting swept. They have too much playoff experience to allow that to happen. I think they steal Game 3 in a close one.

Chicago Blackhawks 3 Nashville Predators 2