The Nashville Predators are probably going to finish third in the Central Division regardless but they look to end a two-game losing streak on Tuesday night when visit Anaheim. The Ducks are third in the Pacific Division and will be favorites in the NHL odds.
When: Tuesday, March 7, 10 PM ET
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim
TV: NHL Center Ice
Stream: NHL.com/tv
Radio: Nashville / Anaheim
Opening NHL Lines: Ducks favored by TBA
For the second consecutive game, the Predators allowed a go-ahead goal late. In Thursday’s 2-1 loss in Montreal, the Canadiens scored with nine seconds remaining to win the game.
“They were both different scenarios,” Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said. “We had numbers on the rush and we ended up getting caught. It hasn’t been an issue all year, but certainly the last two games we’ve given up a late (tie) with a minute to go in the game or less. That makes it difficult.”
Arvidsson notched his 22nd goal in the second period and his 23rd in the third period. His second goal of the night tied the game until Campbell scored with just over a minute remaining. Arvidsson’s point total improvement over last season is the largest in the NHL. Arvidsson had 16 points in 56 games last season and now has a whopping 47 in 63 contests. That represents a 31-point improvement and Nashville still has 18 games to play.
Juuse Saros blocked 28 of 32 shots in the loss to Chicago. Saros made his 14th start of the season Saturday night and recorded his sixth regulation loss after letting in four goals to Chicago. Saros got the start after Pekka Rinne lost to Montreal the night before. Going into the game Saros had only allowed 31 goals for an average of 2.21 goals against. His save percentage Saturday night was .875. Rinne should be back here. He has a 25-16- 6 record with a 2.54 goals-against- average and a .914 save percentage this season.
Patrick Eaves scored for the second straight game and Jonathan Bernier made 25 saves for the Ducks, who have not won consecutive games since Jan. 17-19. Anaheim’s three-game winning streak at home ended, and the Ducks find themselves tied with Calgary for third place in the Pacific Division. Sami Vatanen nearly tied it up with just over a minute to go, but his slap shot went wide of the net.
Bernier has been hot and cold in his five straight starts relieving an injured John Gibson. This season, the veteran is 10-7- 2 with a 2.85 goals against average and .905 save percentage. The Ducks have now gone nine games without scoring on the power play. A problem is that the Ducks have had two or less chances in six of the nine games
“If we continually accept being on the outside, we’re not going to draw as many penalties,” Coach Randy Carlyle said. “That’s one of the issues for us. We’ve got to get inside and get into that battle area. Play more inside the critical area in the offensive zone.”
The Ducks, who haven’t won two straight since mid-January, have only a fingertip grasp of third in the Pacific because they’ve played in one less game.
“We’re not frustrated,” Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf said. “We played a great game last game. It’s not the end of the world. It’s a game and they outworked us in the first half of the game. So we have to recognize that and just move forward in the manner that we want to.”
Nashville at Anaheim Lines, Free Pick & TV Info
When: Tuesday, March 7, 10 PM ET
Where: Honda Center, Anaheim
TV: NHL Center Ice
Stream: NHL.com/tv
Radio: Nashville / Anaheim
Opening NHL Lines: Ducks favored by TBA
Why Bet on Nashville?
Nashville comes off a 5-3 home loss to Chicago on Saturday. Brian Campbell scored with 1:05 remaining to lead the Blackhawks over the Predators for their seventh straight win. The goal was Campbell’s first in his last 20 games played. Viktor Arvidsson scored twice and Calle Jarnkrok also had a goal for Nashville, which has lost two straight.For the second consecutive game, the Predators allowed a go-ahead goal late. In Thursday’s 2-1 loss in Montreal, the Canadiens scored with nine seconds remaining to win the game.
“They were both different scenarios,” Nashville coach Peter Laviolette said. “We had numbers on the rush and we ended up getting caught. It hasn’t been an issue all year, but certainly the last two games we’ve given up a late (tie) with a minute to go in the game or less. That makes it difficult.”
Arvidsson notched his 22nd goal in the second period and his 23rd in the third period. His second goal of the night tied the game until Campbell scored with just over a minute remaining. Arvidsson’s point total improvement over last season is the largest in the NHL. Arvidsson had 16 points in 56 games last season and now has a whopping 47 in 63 contests. That represents a 31-point improvement and Nashville still has 18 games to play.
Juuse Saros blocked 28 of 32 shots in the loss to Chicago. Saros made his 14th start of the season Saturday night and recorded his sixth regulation loss after letting in four goals to Chicago. Saros got the start after Pekka Rinne lost to Montreal the night before. Going into the game Saros had only allowed 31 goals for an average of 2.21 goals against. His save percentage Saturday night was .875. Rinne should be back here. He has a 25-16- 6 record with a 2.54 goals-against- average and a .914 save percentage this season.
Why Bet on Anaheim?
Anaheim lost 2-1 at home to Vancouver on Sunday. Richard Bachman made 43 saves, Bo Horvat and Markus Granlund each scored and the Canucks beat the Ducks. Bachman got his first win since Oct. 30, 2015, in his first appearance this season for the Canucks. The Ducks rarely challenged Bachman despite matching their season-high in shots. Bachman had been with the Canucks’ AHL team in Utica, N.Y., all season before being summoned when Jacob Markstrom suffered a knee injury last week during the team’s skills competition in front of their fans.Patrick Eaves scored for the second straight game and Jonathan Bernier made 25 saves for the Ducks, who have not won consecutive games since Jan. 17-19. Anaheim’s three-game winning streak at home ended, and the Ducks find themselves tied with Calgary for third place in the Pacific Division. Sami Vatanen nearly tied it up with just over a minute to go, but his slap shot went wide of the net.
Bernier has been hot and cold in his five straight starts relieving an injured John Gibson. This season, the veteran is 10-7- 2 with a 2.85 goals against average and .905 save percentage. The Ducks have now gone nine games without scoring on the power play. A problem is that the Ducks have had two or less chances in six of the nine games
“If we continually accept being on the outside, we’re not going to draw as many penalties,” Coach Randy Carlyle said. “That’s one of the issues for us. We’ve got to get inside and get into that battle area. Play more inside the critical area in the offensive zone.”
The Ducks, who haven’t won two straight since mid-January, have only a fingertip grasp of third in the Pacific because they’ve played in one less game.
“We’re not frustrated,” Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf said. “We played a great game last game. It’s not the end of the world. It’s a game and they outworked us in the first half of the game. So we have to recognize that and just move forward in the manner that we want to.”
