The Arizona Coyotes go for a second straight win to open their Western Conference qualification round series against the Nashville Predators in Edmonton. Puck drop is set for 2:30 p.m. ET as the second game on Tuesday’s six-game slate. We analyze the Coyotes-Predators NHL betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Coyotes vs. Predators: Projected starting goalies
Darcy Kuemper vs. Pekka Rinne
Kuemper was excellent in his first playoff start since 2014-15 with the Minnesota Wild. He stopped 40 of the 43 shots he faced in the victory, improving to 2-0 against Nashville this season.
Expect the veteran Rinne between the pipes for the Preds after Juuse Saros‘ shaky performance in Game 1. Rinne owns a .914 save percentage and 2.49 goals against average across 89 career playoff starts.
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Coyotes vs. Panthers: Odds, picks and betting tips
Odds courtesy of BetMGM; access them at USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:30 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Predators 5, Coyotes 2
Moneyline (ML)
Back the higher-seeded PREDATORS (-139) to continue their play from the second and third periods of Game 1. Saros allowed three goals within the first 15:42 Sunday. While only one could be considered his fault, expect a stronger performance from the veteran Rinne.
Nashville outshot Arizona 43-37 in the loss and registered 55.9% of the total shot attempts (including missed and blocked shots). Predators LW Filip Forsberg was the best player on the ice and scored two power-play goals in the loss. Look for him to get some more support from fellow top forwards Viktor Arvidsson, Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene.
Puck Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Double down on the Predators despite their 0-1 hole in the series and back NASHVILLE -1.5 (+200) to win by at least two goals on the alternate line and double your money.
The Preds outplayed the Coyotes for the majority of Game 1. A stronger goaltending performance and better puck luck should easily flip the script in Game 2.
Over/Under (O/U)
Look to another alternate line for better value and back the OVER 5.5 (+125). The standard line of Over 5 pays out at just -139, so BetMGM is already expecting a minimum of 6 goals to be scored.
Look for Nashville to focus on the offensive end out of the gates.
Esten’s NHL betting record: 5-6
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