Nashville (1-0) at Chicago (0-1)
When: Saturday, April 15th 2017
Where: United Center, Chicago, IL
Time: 8:05 ET | TV: NBC
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The Nashville Predators look to ride a hot goaltender to a commanding series lead with the Chicago Blackhawks when they play Game 2 of their first round series on Saturday night. Pekka Rinne was terrific, stopping all 29 shots he faced for Nashville’s first ever postseason shutout in the 1-0 win to take home ice away from the Blackhawks. It was a bit of a surprise that Nashville was able to slow down the Chicago offense, because the Blackhawks registered 18 goals in winning the last four meetings of the regular season. “Your goalie is going to have to be your best player because there are going to be times where he is going to have to be the difference maker and tonight he was phenomenal,” Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis said. Nashville’s top line delivered the lone goal, with Filip Forsberg assisting on Viktor Arvidsson’s goal, but the Predators will need to find a little more offense, because Rinne won’t be able to win games by himself. Nashville has killed off 12 straight penalties this month and Arvidsson now has four goals in the last four meetings with the Blackhawks.
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The fact that Chicago clinched the top seed in the Western Conference early and limped into the playoffs might have something to do with their slow start. The Blackhawks lost their last four games of the regular season and went nearly 14 minutes in the first period without a shot on goal in Game 1. Rookie Nick Schmaltz was benched for a brief time on Thursday and his role could change in Game 2. Fellow rookies Ryan Hartman and John Hayden both took turns on the line with captain Jonathan Toews and Richard Panik during Friday’s practice while Schmaltz was moved to Marcus Kruger’s line, which was missing Marian Hossa (rest). Goalie Corey Crawford stopped 19 of the 20 shots he faced and had his best game since the end of March. He had allowed three or more goals in three straight games leading up to Game 1. The Chicago power play has been dreadful lately, converting just twice in their last 27 chances covering nine games. Center Jonathan Toews was held without a shot for the first time in six games.
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Nashville gained a lot of confidence in Game 1 after getting smoked by Chicago in the regular season, but they need to score more goals. Chicago is really struggling to find it’s offense also and are now juggling lines. I think the Predators find the back of the net a few times tonight and Rinne has another solid outing. The Blackhawks will start feeling the pressure if they get down early.
Pick: Predators +155
W/L TRENDS
| Nashville |
- Predators are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
- Predators are 8-2 in their last 10 vs. Western Conference.
- Predators are 6-2 in their last 8 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Predators are 6-2 in their last 8 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Predators are 13-5 in their last 18 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Predators are 5-2 in their last 7 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Predators are 7-17 in their last 24 Saturday games.
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| Chicago |
- Blackhawks are 9-2 in their last 11 vs. Central.
- Blackhawks are 8-2 in their last 10 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Blackhawks are 9-3 in their last 12 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Blackhawks are 41-16 in their last 57 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
- Blackhawks are 21-10 in their last 31 Saturday games.
- Blackhawks are 46-22 in their last 68 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Blackhawks are 1-5 in their last 6 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Blackhawks are 0-5 in their last 5 overall.
- Blackhawks are 0-4 in their last 4 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Blackhawks are 0-5 in their last 5 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Blackhawks are 0-4 in their last 4 vs. Western Conference.
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OU TRENDS
| Nashville |
- Under is 3-0-1 in Predators last 4 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Under is 3-0-1 in Predators last 4 games following a win.
- Under is 3-0-1 in Predators last 4 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Under is 7-1-1 in Predators last 9 overall.
- Under is 5-1 in Predators last 6 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Under is 5-1-1 in Predators last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Under is 5-1 in Predators last 6 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Under is 4-1-1 in Predators last 6 road games.
- Under is 4-1-3 in Predators last 8 Conference Quarterfinals games.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Predators last 5 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Predators last 5 vs. Central.
- Under is 3-1-1 in Predators last 5 vs. Western Conference.
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| Chicago |
- Under is 4-0 in Blackhawks last 4 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Under is 4-0 in Blackhawks last 4 home games.
- Under is 4-0-1 in Blackhawks last 5 vs. a team with a winning record.
- Over is 12-2-3 in Blackhawks last 17 vs. Central.
- Under is 4-1-2 in Blackhawks last 7 overall.
- Over is 13-4-4 in Blackhawks last 21 Conference Quarterfinals games.
- Over is 20-7-4 in Blackhawks last 31 games playing on 1 days rest.
- Over is 17-6-4 in Blackhawks last 27 vs. Western Conference.
- Under is 5-2 in Blackhawks last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
- Over is 5-2-1 in Blackhawks last 8 Saturday games.
- Over is 27-11-16 in Blackhawks last 54 after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game.
- Over is 13-6-5 in Blackhawks last 24 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
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HEAD TO HEAD
- Over is 10-3-5 in the last 18 meetings.
- Home team is 11-5 in the last 16 meetings.
- Predators are 1-4 in the last 5 meetings.
- Predators are 2-9 in the last 11 meetings in Chicago.
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