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Predators vs. Ducks Game 1 NHL Playoff Picks | Preview

Its 2011 NHL playoff gambling time once again. The Nashville Predators vs. Anaheim Ducks is on tap Wednesday night. Both will be trying to pick up a win with the line opening with Anaheim as a -145 favorite in this matchup. The over/under is set at 5.5, here is the handicapping preview…

Game 1 Free Playoff Predictions: Nashville Predators vs Anaheim Ducks

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Nashville Predators (44-27-11) at Anaheim Ducks (47-30-5)
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 10:30 PM ET
Venue: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Broadcast: TSN, RIS (HD), SPSO
Predators vs. Ducks Betting Lines from Bodog.com
Spread: Ducks -1.5
Moneyline: Predators +125: Ducks -145
Over/Under: 5 goals

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The Nashville Predators and the Anaheim Ducks kick off what should be a very good first round playoff series on Wednesday night in Anaheim where the Ducks have been very good this season. Nashville comes into the game healthy with zero question marks while the Ducks are fretting about their unstable goaltending situation.

Quick quiz – What is the only team besides the Detroit Red Wings and the San Jose Sharks have made the playoffs at least six of the last seven years? Unbelievably, it is the Nashville Predators. What is concerning however is that the Preds have yet to make it into the second round.

The Nashville Predators enter the series having quietly gone 11-3-1 in their last 14 games. The acquisition of Mike Fisher has really given this team a spark. Patrick Hornqvist has six points in his last three games and Sergei Kostitsyn and Jordan Tootoo have four points in three. However, to think that offense is going to win game 1 is a pipe dream – it’s going to be Pekka Rinne that is going to have to steal the show.

Rinne was third in goals against average and save percentage this season and only has two regulation losses in his last 11 starts. With Corry Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and the boys coming, Rinne had better be sharp. Keep in mind that arguably the best defensive duo in the NHL – Shea Weber and Ryan Suter will be on the ice every time that Anaheim’s top line is on.

The Ducks are hot. They have two lines that were absolutely peaking at the end of the season. Corry Perry finished exceptionally strong, Ryan Getzlaf, Bobby Ryan, Teemu Selanne, and Sakku Koivu have been of the charts. Offense shouldn’t be the problem.

That brings us to the problem – the goaltending situation. It looks like Dan Ellis will start – Jonas Hiller is still not out of the woods with his issues and Ray Emery is still hurt. Ellis was 8-3-1 with the Duck this season though and is playing against his former team.

NHL Betting Trends:
Under is 16-5-6 in NAS last 27 road games.
NAS are 9-3 in their last 12 overall.
NAS are 4-9 in their last 13 road games.
ANA are 10-3 in their last 13 overall.
ANA are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. Central.
Over is 6-2 in ANA last 8 games following a win.
NAS are 6-18 in the last 24 meetings in Anaheim.
Under is 6-2-1 in the last 9 meetings.

Betting Prediction: The Nashville Predators were just a .500 road team this season and the Ducks were very good at home. Nashville finished the season 9-3 overall but were just 4-9 in their last 13 road games. Nashville is 6-18 in their last 24 trips to Anaheim. The Ducks finished the season 15-5-0.

I think this game should be all Ducks – unless the goaltending takes a turn for the worst. Nashville are masters of getting the lead and clamping down defensively after that so getting the lead is paramount for Anaheim. I think they get it done.

Also, the Over is very intriguing – the Ducks have been scoring a lot of goals lately – a 4-2 win sounds about right!

Pick: Anaheim Ducks -145 and the Over – 5 goals

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.