2020 NHL Playoffs: Arizona Coyotes vs. Nashville Predators Betting Guide
If the playoffs had started normally, the Nashville Predators would have been tied for the last entry in the Western Conference while the Arizona Coyotes would have missed the cut. However, with this changeup with the qualifying series, both teams will make the cut and engage in a five-game series to see who advances.
This is only the second time these franchises have ever met in the playoffs with the first coming in 2012 when the Preds were quickly ousted by the Coyotes 4-1. These teams are 5-5-1 in their last 11 meetings, so this should be an even, entertaining series.
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Arizona Coyotes vs. Nashville Predators
Odds: Coyotes +110, Predators -134 at FanDuel Sportsbook
Coyotes Outlook
Just what are we to make of the Coyotes? A team that started the season 25-16-4 was the talk of the town early on. They made a big splash in December with the acquisition of Taylor Hall – a quality offensive weapon – but the team mostly nosedived after that. It’s bizarre because the normally-frugal franchise finally made a big move to bolster the team on the ice but they entered the hiatus with just eight wins in their final 25 games.
The Coyotes have been strong in the net where Antti Raanta had a .937 save percentage since the All-Star break. Darcy Kuemper is likely going to start ahead of him, though, as Kuemper has a 2.22 GAA and .928 save percentage on the season. While they are doing their part, the issue is that the offense just isn’t carrying its weight. The Coyotes scored just 2.58 goals per game in their final 11 contests – that ranks 26th in the NHL – and that’s simply not good enough. The good news is that Nashville is leaky on the defensive end between the pipes, so that could assist the Coyotes here.
Predators Outlook
The Predators have been a Western Conference stalwart the last couple of seasons but this year’s team just isn’t that strong. The team fired head coach Peter Laviolette in January and it’s unclear if the team is any better as a result. Goaltender Pekka Rinne showed his age and was replaced by Juuse Saros in net, who put together the best performance of his career. The team did play better going into the break – going 16-10-1 in their final 27 games – but some of the losses in that span were ugly (see: 8-3 loss to Edmonton, 2-1 loss at Chicago). It’s hard to say just how good this team is overall.
What we do know about the Predators is that when they’re on, they have one of the better blue lines in the NHL. Guys like Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis will be huge assets in the playoffs. That could very well be the difference here.
Outlook
Both teams are very similar here: they both have invested a lot into offenses that have underachieved and while the Predators have a good blue line and a more questionable goaltending situation, the Coyotes have the worse blue line but a pair of goaltenders that have really played well this year.
On the whole, I’d say the Predators get a small edge here. They’re experienced, their elite blue line pairing should be a big impediment to the Coyotes success offensively and Saros is dependable enough. They should win this series and move on.
Pick: Predators in 4 at FanDuel Sportsbook
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Dave Golokhov is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Dave, check out his archive and follow him @davegolokhov.