Power Play Strikes Early and Often for Avalanche
The good news is that the Nashville Predators broke through for a pair of power-play goals after scoring just once in their first eight opportunities with the man advantage. The bad news was that Nashville’s penalty kill was an absolute disaster with Colorado scoring on its first four power-play chances to take complete command of the first-round series.
If there was a negative for Colorado, it came when starting goalie Darcy Kuemper had to leave the game after taking a stick to the eye. The Avalanche should be able to advance in this series with or without Kuemper but if he is out long-term, that could be a huge blow.
There have been more than 100 combined hits in each game in the series. Nashville has the most hits (171) through the first three games while Colorado is third with 146.
Colorado’s odds to win the Stanley Cup keep improving with each win in the series. The odds are at +250 while Nashville’s chances have tumbled to +25000, easily the lowest of the 16 playoff teams according to the NHL playoff odds.
Let’s check the latest NHL lines, stats, injury reports, and NHL odds for Stars vs Flames. We’ve plenty of NHL picks and predictions.
Power Play Propels Colorado
When Nashville won the last three regular-season meetings with Colorado including the last two coming in overtime, the Predators’ ability to neutralize Colorado’s power-play was a key factor.
The Avalanche converted on just 23% of its power-play chances in those three losses. It was more of the same in the first two playoff games with two goals in nine opportunities with the man advantage. That all changed in Saturday’s contest.
Colorado not only scored on its first four power-play opportunities but it took just six shots on goal for Artturi Lehkonen, Nathan MacKinnon, Gabriel Landeskog and Nazem Kadri to light the lamp as Colorado led by two goals after two periods.
What a difference a couple of days makes as the Avalanche had 49 consecutive shots saved by goalie Connor Ingram. Colorado beat Ingram six times before Valeri Nichuskin clinched the win with an empty-net goal.
Three down!!!#GoAvsGo pic.twitter.com/4FR12RjWc2
— Colorado Avalanche (@Avalanche) May 7, 2022
While scoring depth is nice at this time of the season, it isn’t necessary when your best players are rolling. The six Colorado players with at least three points in the series are Cale Makar, Landeskog, MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, Devon Toews and Kadri. If they keep producing, Colorado will be winning plenty of playoff games this year.
Something to consider for those who bet online, at least six goals have been scored in seven of Colorado’s last 10 road games in the postseason.
Predators in all Sorts of Trouble
The Nashville Predators knew that Saturday’s third game was not going to knock them out of the postseason regardless of the result but they also knew a loss would put them in the unenviable position of having to win four straight games against the Stanley Cup favorites including two contests on the road.
“We have to win one,” Nashville coach John Hynes said after Saturday’s loss. “We’ve got a group that has been resilient, We know what it is and you’re not out of a series until it hits four [losses].”
Nashville did erase an early 2-0 deficit. The Predators rallied to tie the game for a second time on Roman Josi’s power-play goal in the second period. However, Gabriel Landeskog and Nazem Kadri scored 39 seconds apart and less than two minutes after the Predators tied the game, they were down by a pair of goals.
Getting into a shootout with a high-powered Colorado team is not a recipe for success even if Nashville did win the last two regular-season meetings by identical 5-4 scores.
Giveaways led to Colorado’s fourth and fifth goals. It didn’t help the hopes for a comeback when Nashville went more than 6½ minutes without a shot in the third period. Nashville’s last four shots were either blocked or were off the target and it is hard to come from behind without putting shots on goal.
Limiting Colorado’s power-play opportunities will be key but Nashville did lead the NHL in penalties during the regular season so that will be easier said than done.
The NHL betting lines total has gone over in seven of Nashville’s last eight games.
Avalanche vs Predators Head-to-Head
If there was a series where regular-season results can’t predict postseason success, it would be the one between Colorado and Nashville. Nashville won the last three games during the regular season but find itself down 3-0 in the first-round period.
Nashville had five goals in each of those three wins but has just six goals in three playoff games.
After Colorado’s 7-3 win gave the Avalanche a commanding 3-0 lead in the series, the odds are overwhelming in Colorado’s favor to end the series on Monday with -245 odds to complete the four-game sweep. The odds for the series to return to Colorado for game five are +240 while they jump to +1700 and +2000 for the series to be extended to six or seven games.
Avalanche vs Predators Game Information
- Game: Avalanche (56-19-7 in the regular season); Predators (45-30-7)
- Location: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville
- Day/Time: Monday, May 9, 9:30 p.m. ET
- Avalache vs Predators Live Stream: NHL TV
Avalanche vs Predators Betting Lines
Avalanche vs Predators Prediction
There are plenty of eyes on the goaltending situations. Kuemper and Juuse Saros are questionable. Even if they are cleared to return, considering that the series is 3-0, it won’t be surprising to see Pavel Francouzand Connor Ingram between the pipes on Monday night.
Nashville has never been swept in 21 previous postseason series although the Predators are on the verge of being eliminated in their opening series for the fourth season in a row. Colorado is looking for its third series sweep and the second first-round sweep in a row.
Whether it is at even strength or on the power play, Colorado looks like a superior team. Considering all the injuries the team faced late in the regular season, getting some rest following a sweep could be just what the doctor ordered. Nashville will throw everything it has at Colorado especially with the home fans there to support them. Still, it is hard to go against Colorado.
Pick: Avalanche -250
Pick: Avalanche -1½ (+105)
