After an incredible comeback victory in Game 4, the Vancouver Canucks return home tonight with a chance to close out the Nashville Predators for their first playoff series win since 2020. The Predators are +100 moneyline underdogs in the NHL odds to bring it back to Nashville.
In what has been an extremely tight and gritty series, can Vancouver close it out at home? Read below for my free Predators vs. Canucks predictions and NHL picks for Tuesday, April 30.
Predators vs Canucks prediction
My best bet
Under 5.5 (-105 at Sports Interaction)
My analysis
Even with a breakout effort from Brock Boeser, who posted the sixth playoff hat trick in franchise history in Game 4, the Vancouver Canucks’ offense is still in quicksand, mustering only 21 shots. They’re averaging just 18 shots per game in the series, and needed a pair of goals late with the goalie pulled.
Vancouver was also fortunate an empty-net shot by Colton Sissons hit the post to even get in position for the dramatic finish, and Elias Lindholm’s OT winner.
Vancouver’s musical chairs between the pipes takes another turn Tuesday, as it’s expected Casey DeSmith will return for Game 5 after an undisclosed injury forced rookie Arturs Silovs into action. Thatcher Demko, the ‘Nucks’ top netminder, played Game 1, and DeSmith started Game 2. Three different Vancouver goalies have a win this series.
The Nashville Predators again failed to have their powerplay click, going 0-for-2 in Game 4, the third straight game the Preds have failed to cash in with the man advantage. They’re a grim 1-for-15 in the series.
While outshooting Vancouver in all but one game this series — ironically, the only game they’ve been able to win — Nashville is putting up just 2.5 goals per game in the playoffs, far off its pace of 3.24 during the regular season.
The Canucks have now ripped off wins in seven of the last eight head-to-heads, with five of those victories (including Games 3 and 4) as moneyline underdogs.
It took lighting in a bottle for these teams to top the 5.5 goal line set for Game 4. With DeSmith likely back in net, that solidifies another layer of defense to a series where time and space are hard to come by.
The Canucks finished in a tie for the second-most home wins in the NHL this season, but the Predators had the third-most road wins in the West.
Advancing to Round 2 is not going to be an easy one for Vancouver, and another low-scoring affair should settle this one.
Predators vs Canucks same-game parlay (SGP)
Under 5.5
J.T. Miller anytime goal
Predators +1.5
Much should be made of Boeser’s unreal Game 4, but J.T. Miller was in lock-step with the Vancouver sniper, picking up assists on each of his goals.
After a sluggish start, Miller is now leading the team in scoring with six points through four games. He was especially prominent at Bridgestone Arena, with a goal and four assists in Games 3 and 4.
Miller hasn’t gone goal-less at Rogers Arena in three straight games since mid-March, picking up four goals in his last seven home games prior to the playoffs. This seems like a prime moment for him to light the lamp.
The last two games have ended in one-goal decisions, and there would have been a third if not for an empty-net goal in Game 1. Six of the last 10 head-to-head meetings have been decided by a single goal, and seven of Vancouver’s final 12 home games in the regular season were one-goal decisions.
Expect the Predators to keep things close with their season on the line.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Predators vs Canucks odds
Predators vs Canucks live odds
Predators vs Canucks opening odds
- Puck line: Nashville +1.5 | Vancouver -1.5
- Moneyline: Nashville +103 | Vancouver -116
- Over/Under: Over 5.5 | Under 5.5
Predators vs Canucks moneyline and Over/Under analysis
- The underdog has won four of the Canucks' last five games.
- Nashville has lost four of its last five games overall.
- The Under has cashed in two of the last three games in this series.
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Predators vs Canucks trend
Vancouver has gotten the victory in 35 of the 55 games it’s played as the moneyline favorites this season. Find more NHL betting trends for Predators vs. Canucks.
Predators vs Canucks game info
| Location: | Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC |
| Date: | Tuesday, 4-30-2024 |
| Puck drop: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TBS, SN |
Predators vs Canucks latest injuries
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