The Nashville Predators (37-28-8) visit the Pittsburgh Penguins (36-28-10) Thursday. Puck drop from PPG Paints Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Predators vs. Penguins odds, and make our expert NHL picks and predictions.
The Predators picked up a 2-1 win against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, cashing as a huge underdog (+278) as the Under (5.5) connected. The Preds have cashed the Under in 3 of the last 4 games, and 8 of the last 12 outings overall.
The Penguins were trucked 7-4 against the Detroit Red Wings on the road Tuesday, and Pittsburgh has slipped to just 2-6 in the last 8 games overall. Despite the skid, the Pens are still 1 point ahead of the Florida Panthers for the 2nd wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, and Pittsburgh has a game in hand.
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Predators at Penguins odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:47 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Predators +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Penguins -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Puck line (PL)/Against the spread (ATS): Predators +1.5 (-150) | Penguins -1.5 (+130)
- Over/Under (O/U): 6.5 (O: +102 | U: -122)
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Predators at Penguins projected goalies
Juuse Saros (29-20-7, 2.77 GAA, .916 SV%, 1 SO) vs. Tristan Jarry (21-10-6, 2.98 GAA, .908 SV%, 1 SO)
Saros stood on his head in Boston, stopping 35 of the 36 shots he faced to pick up his 3rd win in the last 4 outings. He has been hot in March, going 6-3-2 with a 2.69 GAA and .916 SV% in 11 starts and 12 appearances.
Jarry allowed just 2 goals on 30 shots in a stunning 5-2 road win against the Colorado Avalanche last time out on March 22. He had been dealing with a lower-body injury recently, and Casey DeSmith has been seeing a lot more work. The latter was horrible last time out, stopping just 18 of the 24 shots he faced in Detroit in a 7-4 loss.
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Predators at Penguins picks and predictions
Prediction
Predators 3, Penguins 2
Moneyline
The PREDATORS (+170) are a solid play as a big underdog.
The Preds are 4-1 in the last 5 games on the road, and they come in brimming with confidence after topping the NHL’s top team in Boston last time out. Nashville is 9-2 in the last 11 games inside the Metropolitan Division, too.
On the flip side, the Penguins (-200) have won just twice in the last 8 games overall, while going 6-16 in the last 22 games against teams with a winning overall record.
Puck line/Against the spread
The PREDATORS +1.5 (-150) aren’t priced out of line if you want a little insurance and can’t bring yourself to play them straight up. Nashville looks to return the favor after falling in the Music City against Pittsburgh in the first meeting on Feb. 28, losing 3-1.
Over/Under
The UNDER 6.5 (-122) is the lean.
The Under has hit in 11 of Nashville’s last 16 games overall, while going 5-2 in the last 7 against Eastern Conference foes. The Under is also 5-2 in the last 7 meetings, including the meeting last month in Smashville.
The Under is also 4-1 in Pittsburgh’s last 5 against winning teams, while going 7-1 in the last 8 against Central Division foes.
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