Western Conference Finals: Will the Predators upset the Ducks? 5/12/17
The Western Conference Finals get started tonight when the Anaheim Ducks host the Nashville Predators in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals at 9PM ET. Here’s our prediction for the opener.
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS GAME 1 ODDS
According to oddsmakers, the Ducks are a slight favorite at home in Game 1, as they are getting odds of -115 to win. The Predators are listed with a money line of -105 to prevail, while the over/under total for the contest is set at 5 goals.
These two met three times during the season, with the home team winning all three contest. The Ducks were home for two of the three meetings.
THE DUCKS
Following a sweep of the Flames in the opening round of the playoffs, the Ducks went seven games with the Oilers before advancing. Anaheim had to win four of the final five games to reach the conference finals. The Ducks are now 54-26-13 overall with a 33-10-4 mark at home. In their last 10 games, they average 3.2 goals per game while allowing 3.1.
Ryan Getzlaf is leading them in the postseason with eight goals and seven assists while Jakob Silfverberg has seven goals with four assists. John Gibson has been shaky in net. His GAA in the playoffs is 2.80, while his save percentage is .908.
THE PREDATORS
The Predators also opened the playoffs with a sweep, upsetting the Chicago Blackhawks. Nashville followed that up with a six-game series win over the Blues. Nashville is now 49-31-12 overall and 20-22-4 on the road. The Preds are scoring just 2.8 goals per game in the playoffs, but allowing only 1.4 per game.
Pekka Rinne has been amazing in net. He has a GAA of 1.37 in the postseason and a save percentage of .951. Ryan Ellis and Ryan Johansen both have nine points in the playoffs to lead the team. Ellis and Roman Josi are tied for the lead in goals with four apiece.
WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS GAME 1 PREDICTION
Anaheim is coming off a tough Game 7 just 48 hours ago. While the Ducks didn’t have to travel for Game 7 or tonight’s contest, they still shouldn’t have fresh legs. The Predators haven’t played for five days. That can sometimes be a problem, but I don’t think it will be tonight.
Nashville hasn’t struggled on the road in the postseason. They have allowed eight goals in five road games, going 3-2. The Nashville offense should be able to get some shots past Gibson, while Rinne continues to shine. I like Nashville to take the opener tonight.
Western Conference Finals Game 1 Prediction – Nashville Predators -105
