The Carolina Hurricanes take a 2-0 Central Division Semifinal lead over the Nashville Predators on the road to Bridgestone Arena in Music City Friday. Puck drop will be shortly after 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Hurricanes-Predators Game 3 odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The story of the series thus far has been the play of Hurricanes G Alex Nedeljkovic. The former second-round pick stopped 54 of 56 shots in the first two playoff games of his career, including a 32-save shutout in Game 2.
The Canes’ outscored the Preds 8-2 and outshot them 69-56 in two games at PNC Arena in Raleigh. The teams split their four meetings at Bridgestone Arena in the regular season.
Hurricanes at Predators: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:41 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Hurricanes -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Predators +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread/ATS: Hurricanes -1.5 (+190) | Predators +1.5 (-250)
- Over/Under: 5 (O: -135 | U: +110)
Hurricanes at Predators: Projected starting goalies
Alex Nedeljkovic (15-5-3, .932 SV%, 1.90 GAA) vs. Juuse Saros (21-11-1, .927 SV%, 2.28 GAA)
Nedeljkovic posted the best regular-season save percentage and goals against average over 23 starts. He has picked up right where he left off in his first taste of the postseason. He was 8-4-1 with a .931 SV% and 2.00 GAA in 13 road games.
Saros hasn’t been the Preds’ main problem through the first two games of the series but has made just 61 saves on 67 shots. He should be expected to up his game at home, as he posted a .941 SV% and 1.86 GAA in 20 games at Bridgestone Arena.
Special NHL Betting Promotion!
Bet $1 on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team scores a goal in the game. Betting offer available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. Place your legal, online bets at BetMGM. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Hurricanes at Predators: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Predators 2, Hurricanes 1
Money line (ML)
The PREDATORS (+120) are worth a shot in their first home game of the postseason, largely based on Saros’ strong home splits.
The Preds also beat the ‘Canes in each of the final two head-to-head meetings of the regular season, with both of those contests in Nashville. They won by scores of 3-1 and 5-0.
Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Against the spread (ATS)
PASS on the puck line without enough value in backing the Predators +1.5 with the goal of insurance. The alternate line of Hurricanes +1.5 (-450) is even worse.
Over/Under (O/U)
Keep hammering the UNDER 5 (+110) in this series and especially with Saros more comfortable on his home ice.
Even if the Preds offense provides enough goal support for the win, it won’t be much against the red-hot Nedeljkovic.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @EstenMcLaren on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1369]