Welcome back to NHL Predictions. Each day, Last Word on Hockey takes a look at the games that are scheduled then offers insight and analysis to help predict who will be victorious in head-to-head matchups. Today we are looking at the game between the Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators. Be sure to check out more NHL Predictions as the 2024-25 season continues.
NHL Predictions
Colorado Avalanche vs. Nashville Predators
Head-to-Head: Avalanche 2-1 Predators
Time: 6:00 p.m Eastern Standard Time (EST)
TV: ALT, FDSNSO
The NHL returns from the Four Nations Face-Off break as the Avalanche (33-22-2) head out on the road against the Predators (19-28-7). This is the fourth and final meeting of the season between these teams. The Avs have won two out of the three games so far with the home team winning each matchup. Will that trend continue tonight?
Avalanche Stars Fresh Off Winning Four Nations
Colorado returns from the break with three players coming off championship performances for Team Canada on Thursday. Cale Makar, Devon Toews, and tournament MVP Nathan MacKinnon all added Four Nations Face-Off gold to their Stanley Cup resumes. The biggest question for them will be whether they will have enough in the tank for their first game back in an Avalanche sweater.
The Avs are only 8-8-1 against division foes which is part of the reason they sit two points out of the top three in the Central Division. They will need all three of Makar, Toews, and MacKinnon to continue their winning ways down the stretch and into the playoffs. Facing the Predators who struggle to keep goals out of their net should be a good matchup for a top-10 offensive team to start their unofficial second half.
Predators Play Better Against Their Division
While Nashville has disappointed this season sitting seventh in the Central Division entering this game, they have put up a fight against their division rivals. They are 7-7-2 within the division. They also play much better at home with a 13-10-3 record. This is encouraging for Predators fans as the team will look to start a mini two-game win streak after beating the Buffalo Sabres 6-4 in their last game before the break.
The six goals in their last game was an offensive outburst for Nashville. They have really struggled to score this season ranking 29th in the league averaging 2.65 goals a game. They will look to Filip Forsberg to continue carrying the offensive load. He is leading the team in goals, assists, and points. He could have a head start off the break after playing for Sweden in the Four Nations Face-Off. Juuse Saros was also at the tournament representing Finland. He played in relief in the last game against Canada on Monday, but should be ready to start today.
Prediction
The Avalanche are certainly the better team entering this game. On paper they are better in almost every area. However, an interesting storyline to watch will be how the Colorado players who played on Thursday play two days latter in a lower stakes environment. The good news for the Avs is they have plenty other player who can contribute. The Predators have the advantage of playing at home which should help their performance. Even with that advantage look for the better team to prevail tonight.
Prediction: Avalanche win 4-1
Prop Bets of The Night
With Colorado looking like the better team, let’s create a same-game parlay focused on them. Martin Necas had three goals in his final two games before the break. Parlaying him as an anytime goal scorer with the Avalanche on the moneyline, and under 5.5 total goals has odds of +902.
Main photo by: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
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