NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions for Tuesday: Kings vs. Predators (10/18)
We’re about a week into the new NHL season, and most teams have 2-3 games under their belts so far. While it’s still very early, we’re getting some quality insight into how teams will fare compared to what we expected in the preseason.
As for tonight’s action, there are eight games on the docket, with a quartet of east coast games getting us going at 7:00 p.m. ET. I’ve listed my top three bets for the NHL tonight. Let’s take a closer look at Kings vs. Predators.
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook
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NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions for Tuesday: Kings vs. Predators
Los Angeles Kings vs. Nashville Predators
The Kings have won two straight games and come into tonight’s contest at 2-2-0. They earned a 5-4 overtime victory last night in Detroit and now head south to take on Nashville for the second night of a back-to-back. The Preds are also 2-2-0, but they’ve dropped consecutive games to the Stars 4-1 on Thursday and 5-1 on Saturday. This Western Conference showdown is slated for 9:30 p.m. ET from Bridgestone Arena.
Los Angeles squandered three different one-goal leads last night, but they were able to come away victorious thanks to an unassisted Phillip Danault overtime goal. Jonathan Quick received the start last night and made 29 saves on 33 opposing shots. That amount of action should sideline him in the back-to-back situation, and we’ll likely see Cal Petersen in net tonight. The 27-year-old netminder is 1-0-0 with a 6.00 GAA and .829 SV%.
Nashville opened up the year with two wins over the Sharks in Prague. But they’ve dropped both contests since returning stateside, mainly due to a lack of offensive production. Their 2.3 goals per game rank 26th in the NHL, and they’re also just 1-16 (6.25%) on the power play, which ranks 28th. However, Nashville’s typically a team that relies on strong defense and great goaltending to find success.
It’s expected that Juuse Saros will get the nod tonight between the pipes, and he’s the main reason that I like the Preds to come away victorious at home. The 27-year-old goalie is 1-2-0 to start the season but boasts a 2.54 GAA and .889 SV%. In 39 home games last year, Saros went 25-13 with a 2.26 GAA and .927 SV%. It’s only a matter of time before Nashville gets its feet underneath them and solidifies the defensive end of the ice. Personally, I love the move to bring in Ryan McDonagh (0G, 2A) this year, and he’ll play a crucial role working alongside Roman Josi (0G, 1A) in the defensive zone. I expect the Preds to stifle the Kings tonight and come away victorious at their home barn.
Bet: Nashville Predators Moneyline (-160 via Caesars)
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