The Nashville Predators are getting snubbed by bookmakers for Game 4 of their series, with some online sportsbooks listing Detroit at -160 on the moneyline. We handicap the contest and circle the winning side in today’s playoff picks
The first three games of this series all ended with a 3-2 final and tonight’s game from Joe Louis Arena sets up as another close one
One week into the playoffs and road teams have a 14-8 record yet tonight’s three hosts are all laying between -155 and -167 on the moneyline. In the case of Florida at New Jersey it seems justified. After all, the Devils (48-28-6) finished with 102 points this season while Florida (38-26-18) used the key under the Southeast mat to secure home ice on 94 points.
The Panthers were 17-17-7 on the road, one of three playoff teams who did not finish the regular season above .500 as the visitor. The others were Washington (16-21-4) and Detroit (17-21-3) and that brings Game 4 between the Predators and Red Wings into focus.
How does Nashville fit into the picture as a +150 moneyline dog given their 22-16-3 road record?
Of the four playoff teams who earned more road wins in 2011-12, the Predators matchup well in a lot of departments. Yet the Bruins (25), Rangers (24), Canucks (24) and Penguins (22) were all costing bettors between -103 and -127 in their first road game of the series.
Vancouver is being exposed right now as the only playoff rep from the Northwest division, which housed such flops as the Wild and Oilers, but the Predators put bread on their table all season against rivals like the Blues, Blackhawks and this Red Wings team.
NHL PICKS
The Wings are outshooting the Preds 32.3 to 24.7 through three games but the Preds have matched them goal for goal and are keeping the power play in-check. Winning back-to-back games in Detroit is a tall task but with these kinds of odds, the value is on the road dog.
Pick: Take the Predators