Bet On NHL Hockey: Predators
It is truly a different era in Nashville – for the first time in what seems like generations the Nashville Predators will enter a season without Barry Trotz behind the bench.
NHL Predictions
Nashville Predators
Odds to win the 2015 Stanley Cup: 75/1
Odds to win the 2015 Western Conference: 40/1
Odds to Win the 2014 Central Division: 12/1
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2014-2015 Nashville Predators Betting Preview:
A change in style and culture was needed in Nashville – Peter Laviolette brings his fan-friendly offensive philosophy to town – the big question is whether or not the players on the roster can play his brand of hockey.
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The Predators were a team that was very active during the offseason signing James Neil, Olli Jokinen, Mike Ribeiro and Derek Roy while saying goodbye to Patric Hornqvist, Nick Spaling and Michael Del Zotto. It seems, on paper, to be the offensive injection that Nashville needs – perfect for the style that Laviolette is trying to accomplish for the Preds.
Craig Smith was a breakout performer for the Preds last year and if he duplicates his 24 goal, 52 points performance, Nashville could be a formidable offensive team – the likes we haven’t seen in quite some time.
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Simply put the Preds seem to have a good top 6 forwards – but depth could be an issue and the fact that they play in the uber-tough West and will have to get by Chicago and St. Louis within their own division seems like a tall task to say the least.
Defensively Nashville looks pretty set. The team is anchored by veteran Shea Weber and second-year stud Seth Jones.
Along with being good in their own zone last year the Preds D-men were frequent contributors offensively as well – Weber had a stunning 23 goals and Roman Josi had 13.
The most critical player for Nashville heading into the 2015-2015 season is Pekka Rinne who had a down campaign last year after missing the first 51 games with a hip infection.
He went 10-10-3 with a 2.77 GAA and .902 save percentage – very un-Rinne like numbers for a keeper that had been considered of the NHL elite before last season.
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While Rinne may have looked like a second, maybe third tier of NHL goaltenders last year he still has to be considered one of the better keepers in the game – expect a strong bounce back from this hulking Fin.
FREE Predators NHL Predictions 2014/2015
Nashville will definitely be improved this year assuming they get a full season from Pekka Rinne. The improved offense will only help the defense out – as long as Nashville isn’t defending all game long there is a real possibility of a 40 win season.
The question is – how far will those 40 take them in the tough Central and the even tougher West? My guess is that it takes some time for the team to adapt to Peter Laviolette’s scheme and that the Preds fall just short of a playoff spot this year.
Good things are on the horizon for Nashville with Seth Jones leading the way. But the team is still a year or two away from winning anything. I like where Nashville is going – just can’t support them yet!
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