Colorado Avalanche vs Nashville Predators Betting Picks

Nashville is on a 16-8 run after wins over Washington (3-2) and Edmonton (4-3) as underdogs. They're on a 7-4 run as an underdog, including upsets at Minnesota (3-2) as a +153 dog, a win at Florida (2-1) as a +150 dog, and an upset of this Colorado squad (4-3) as a +165 underdog. The surge has them closing in on a Wild Card spot, and they're working on two days of rest. Meanwhile, Colorado is on a 2-3 slide, losing as favorites at -145 and -120, and in its last game at home to Toronto as -235 chalk. Play Nashville. 

This isn't the huge mismatch it was when Colorado hosted Nashville in their first meeting. The Avalanche blanked the Predators, 3-0, as a minus $2.09 home favorite on Nov. 22. The Predators are playing much better since then, and they draw the Avalanche playing in their fourth road game in six days and third in four days. The Avalanche return home after this game, so their full focus may not be at 100%, making a letdown a distinct possibility. The Avalanche have won their last two games, beating the Flyers and Rangers each by a 3-2 score. Nashville has the fewest points in the NHL. However, the Predators have won four of their last six games. They are averaging 3.7 goals per game during these past six games. Their No. 1 line of Steven Stamkos, Ryan O'Reilly, and Luke Evangelista has combined for seven 5-on-5 goals over the last six games. The recent addition of the veteran Stamkos to the top line has made a difference. Typically reliable goalie Juuse Saros is likely to start for Nashville. The prideful Saros should be highly motivated after he was pulled in the Predators' last game, a 6-3 loss to the Hurricanes, three days ago. Take the Predators. 

This is the fourth meeting this season and Colorado has won the last two. The Avalanche have four of their past five games and will likely have Mackenzie Blackwood starting tonight. He is 4-1 his past five starts and he has a 2.53 goals-against average with three shutouts this season for San Jose and Colorado. The Avalanche have won 17 of 29 on the road while Nashville is just .500 at home. The Predators have lost six of seven overall and six of eight against Central Division opponents. Juuse Saros is just 11-23-6 for the Predators and he is the likely starter for this game. Colorado has won 11 of the past 14 meetings and Nashville is 0-7 playing with at least three days rest. Take the Avalanche.