Even in the worst of times, which is what we are experiencing right now with the current COVID-19 situation, hopes finds a way to spring eternal. For sports fans, the hope is that games will return sooner rather than later. Fans of all sports have been negatively impacted, but you would probably have to say that things are a little worse for followers of the NHL and the NBA. Both of those leagues were nearing the end of the regular season when the shutdowns happened, which means that we would be into the playoffs right about now if things had continued as normal. We are still in a period of real uncertainty, though, as we are not sure how the league will look when play does resume. Will the remainder of the regular season be played, or will we jump right into the playoffs? If it’s straight to the postseason, then the Nashville Predators would be a part of it as the #8 seed in the Western Conference. Let’s take a closer look at their season along with NHL Odds and Stanley Cup Odds.
Nashville Predators 2020 NHL Season Analysis
Nashville Predators Season So Far
As we already mentioned, the Predators have worked themselves into a playoff spot in the West, as they are currently clinging to the final Wild Card spot. They are at 35-26-8 on the season, good enough for 78 points. The pause in league play actually came at the worst time possible for Nashville, as they were on a positive tear that had seen them win 3 straight games, while also going 6-3-1 in the 10 games leading up to the lockdown. They are 4 points out of third in the Central Division, but they are closing in on a Dallas Stars team on a 6-game losing skid.
Nashville Predators Key Stats and Personnel
The Predators have not really had any sort of home ice advantage this season, as the home and away records are actually quite similar. Nashville is 17-14-4 at home, but they have one more win on the road at 18-12-4. That road record suggests that they might prove to be a bit of handful in the postseason even if they don’t have home ice advantage at any point in their run. The Predators have scored 215 goals this season and surrendered 217.
Roman Josi is leading the way for the Predators on the scoring front, racking up 65 points to this stage in the season. Josi is also the team leader in assists with 49. It is Filip Forsberg who is the top goal scorer for Nashville, netting 21. Between the pipes, Pekka Rinne has 18 wins, but it is Juuse Saros who leads the team with a .914 save percentage.
How the Bookies See the Nashville Predators
It is going to be interesting to see how the layoff affects the Nashville Predators, as they were a team rounding into form before everything was shut down. The break in play may prove to be a great leveler once the action does begin again. Right now, you can get the Predators at odds of +2000 to win the Stanley Cup.
