Free NHL Playoffs Prediction: Predators vs Ducks NHL Betting Odds
Looking for Western Conference Semi Finals Nashville Predators vs. Anaheim Ducks free playoff plays & NHL betting odds? NHL betting sees the Predators taking on the Ducks on Friday May 12th at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NHL Hockey matchups all Stanley Cup playoffs long so stay tuned for more FREE daily NHL hockey predictions.
(41-29-12) Nashville Predators vs. Anaheim Ducks (46-23-13)
2017 NHL Playoffs: Western Conference Round 3
NHL Series Odds: Predators -125 | Ducks -115
NHL Stanley Cup Futures Odds: Nashville +260| Ducks +275
Live NHL Odds
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
The Ducks were able to fend off the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 and advance to the Western Conference finals to face the Preds.
Anaheim finished as the best team in the Pacific Division this season with 105 points, which placed them 11 points ahead of Nashville in overall totals.
However, the Preds will enter this series as the favorite.
Nashville Predators
The Predators are the hottest team in the league right now, rolling through the Western Conference favorites, the Chicago Blackhawks, in the first round in just four games.
They followed the sweep up with a six-game series win over the St. Louis Blues to advance and have a longer break than the Ducks.
Check out the free sports picks from Cappers Picks experts today!
Ryan Ellis has been a standout thus far, tying for the team lead with 4 goals and 9 points this postseason. The defender is part of an excellent top-4 group, which is arguably the best of any team including the likes of PK Subban, Roman Josi and Mattias Ekholm.
Up front, the top line has been excellent, seeing Ryan Johansen gather 9 points through 10 games thus far and Filip Forsberg trails him by just one point.
Their depth has also provided a booth, namely Colton Sissons and his six points. Sissons has helped offset the loss of Kevin Fiala, who sustained a broken leg in game 1 of the St. Louis series.
Pekka Rinne may be playing the best hockey of his career at the moment, and is a major reason why the Preds find themselves in an advantageous spot to reach the Cup finals.
Rinne has a 1.37 GAA and a .951 SV% with two shutouts entering the Western Conference Finals.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks will certainly have their hands full with another tough Western Conference team, as the Preds are as on a serious roll entering the series.
Having gone a full seven games in an up-and-down series versus the Oilers, the Ducks will need to quickly refocus their attention to Nashville.
Ryan Getzlaf has been a stud so far, and will enter as the leading goal scorer (8) and point-getter in the series, having registered 15 points in 11 games played.
Getzlaf is used to the big stage and much of the Preds’ attention will be focused on the Ducks’ captain and his line mate, Rickard Rakell. Rakell and fellow winger, Jakob Silfverberg, have 6 and 7 goals, respectively.
The Ducks blueline is largely back to full health, and the re-addition of #1 D-man, Cam Fowler, has boosted the squad significantly.
The smooth-skating Fowler has netted 5 points in 7 games and will be relied upon to match the speed of the Preds’ forwards.
[dfads params=’groups=234&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
In net, John Gibson’s current playoff numbers aren’t great, with a 2.80 GAA and a .908 SV% in 11 games.
He’s been pulled in two games thus far these playoffs and will need to provide a more consistent effort and limit the disaster 6-goal games, should the Ducks wish to advance.
Free Nashville Predators vs. Anaheim Ducks Playoff Series Prediction:
This series should be a heavy one, as both of these Western Conference teams have the size and speed to throw around.
The Ducks are on shorter rest after taking the Edmonton series to game 7, so the Predators should enter with some fresher legs.
Overall, I like the way Nashville has looked this postseason, and originally picked them to come out of the West. They have given me no reasons to stray from my initial thoughts, and I think the defense and goaltending will ultimately give them the edge.
4* Free NHL Series Betting Pick: Nashville -125
If you’re looking for more NHL picks like this Nashville Predators vs. Anaheim Ducks playoff matchup we’ll be providing 4* free NHL predictions on the blog during the entire 2017 Stanley Cup playoff season, and check out our Experts for guaranteed premium & free NHL Hockey picks!
CappersPicks.com has Stanley Cup odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NHL lines up for early games as well.