The Carolina Hurricanes and Nashville Predators play Game 4 of their Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series Sunday. Puck drop is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET at Bridgestone Arena. Below, we analyze the Hurricanes-Predators odds and lines, with NHL picks and predictions.
The Hurricanes came up short in Game 3 in the Music City, although they did fight back and forced overtime. In fact, they played into double-overtime in the 64th-longest playoff game in NHL history before falling short.
The Predators managed just two total goals in the first two games in Raleigh against Alex Nedeljkovic, but the floodgates opened for five goals in Game 3, and a little energy and hometown cooking likely didn’t hurt.
Hurricanes at Predators: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:11 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Hurricanes -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Predators +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread/ATS: Hurricanes -1.5 (+165) | Predators +1.5 (-200)
- Over/Under: 5.5 (O: +110 | U: -135)
Hurricanes at Predators: Projected starting goalies
Petr Mrazek (6-2-3, 2.06 GAA, .923 SV%, 3 SO) vs. Juuse Saros (21-11-1, 2.28 GAA, .927 SV%, 3 SO)
Mrazek hasn’t appeared in a game since May 10 in Nashville when he allowed five goals on 27 shots in a loss. He has allowed three or more goals in three of his past four appearances, recording just one win on May 4.
Saros allowed four goals on 56 shots in the 5-4 double-overtime victory on Friday. He has allowed 10 goals in the three games so far, so he can obviously be had, but the Predators’ offense managed just two goals in the first two games which didn’t help him any.
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
Hurricanes 3, Predators 2
Money line (ML)
The HURRICANES (-155) are moderate favorites in Game 4, as they look for the bounce-back game. They hope Game 3 was simply a hiccup.
Carolina is still heavily favored in the series and should win. However, this one likely will be another close affair but expect the offense not to be as plentiful and the hitting to be much greater.
Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Against the spread (ATS)
The Predators +1.5 (-200) will likely keep this one close, and another overtime game cannot be ruled out in Game 4.
I think the Hurricanes -1.5 (+165) win and a wager on them is tempting, but their goaltending concerns me.
They did well in the first two battles in the series, but they still do not have a true No. 1 who can steal games in the playoffs.
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 5.5 (-135) is the way to go here, even after a high-scoring affair in Game 3. The Under is 5-2 in Carolina’s past seven as a playoff favorite, and 6-2-2 in their past 10 battles in Nashville. The Under is 12-5-2 in the past 19 for the Predators as an underdog, too.
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 Joe Williams 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]