The NHL regular season is coming to an end soon, and while there are still several teams in the fight of their lives for a playoff spot, there are a few more who are just a win or two away from clinching. In fact. There are still a couple of division titles up for grabs, although with time beginning to run out on the season, the teams in the chasing pack really cannot afford to have any more slip-ups. The reality here, though, is that it’s all about ensuring a good seeding at this late stage of the season, as gaining home-ice advantage in the opening round is the top priority for most.
In the Eastern Conference, the Pittsburgh Penguins are still in with a shot at winning the Metropolitan Division, but they have two teams sitting ahead of them. Over in the Western Conference, the Nashville Predators are still hanging around in the race for the Central Division. There is a lot to play for here, so look for both of these teams to come out hard as they go after those valuable late-season points. Nashville is favored by 1 ½, with the O/U set at 6.
Penguins vs Predators NHL Betting Lines & Game Info
- When: Thursday, March 21 at 8 PM EST
- Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
- TV: NHL Center Ice
- NHL Betting Lines: Nashville Predators -150 (Total 6)
Why bet on the Pittsburgh Penguins?
The Penguins looked as though they were set to make one final push for the Metropolitan Division, but 3 straight losses now have them sitting 5 points back of the Washington Capitals at the top. Despite that run, the Penguins are still a respectable 6-2-2 in their last 10 games and are also just 2 points back of the Islanders for second in the division. Even if they can’t run down the Capitals, they can still improve their playoff lot by skipping ahead of New York.
That said, they still need to keep an eye on the Carolina Hurricanes, who are just 2 points back in the division. Allowing them to pass would see Pittsburgh fall into the Wild Card. The Penguins are a very good 18-11-8 on the road and have gone 18-19 ATS away from home.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.39
- Shots: 32.92
- PP/PK Percentage: 25.12
Defense
- Goals: 3.01
- Shots: 33.47
- PP/PK Percentage: 19.42
Why bet on the Nashville Predators?
The Nashville Predators come into this one on a decent run of form, having won 3 in a row and 6 of their last 10. They are now in second in the Central Division, but they are having a tough time running down the Winnipeg Jets, who are also playing well at this late stage of the season.
The Predators are just 3 points off the pace, but they have also played one more game than the Jets. As always seems to be the case with the Nashville Predators, they are once again among the best defensive teams in the league and are in fact one of only two teams in the Western Conference to have surrendered less than 200 goals. The Predators have been money at home, going 21-13-1, but they are also just 14-23 ATS on home ice.
Team Stats
Offense- Goals: 3.00
- Shots: 32.81
- PP/PK Percentage: 13.39
Defense
- Goals: 2.64
- Shots: 29.54
- PP/PK Percentage: 18.78
Penguins vs Predators NHL Betting Trends
- Pittsburgh is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
- Pittsburgh is 13-5 SU in its last 18 games when playing Nashville
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Pittsburgh’s last 10 games
- Nashville is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Nashville is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Nashville’s last 8 games at home
Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction for Penguins vs Predators
The last 5 meetings between these two teams have gone in favor of the home team. Given how both of these teams are playing at the moment, it would not be surprising to see that trend hold, although I have a feeling that this one might go the OT route.
Score: Pittsburgh Penguins 2 – Nashville Predators 3
