Predators at Hurricanes Game 5 Preview

As a few first round NHL series have already come to a close, the Predators and Hurricanes are locked up at two wins each just ahead of a decisive Game 5. The home team has won each game, with Carolina taking the first two games in decisive fashion while Nashville won a pair of overtime thrillers in their own building.

Here is a closer look at how the series has played out so far, the key players to watch, and a free betting pick. Despite dropping the last two games, Carolina is a sizable -198 favorite at home, with Nashville coming in as +166 road underdogs.

Series Recap

Despite getting steadily outshot, the Predators managed to keep things close in Game 1, going into the second intermission knotted up at two. However, the Hurricanes slammed the door with three goals in the final frame, giving them a 5-2 win and an early lead in the series.

A couple nights later in Raleigh, Alex Nedeljkovic earned his first playoff shutout, stopping all 32 shots as the Hurricanes stormed to a 3-0 win. Right wing Sebastian Aho scored an early power play goal in the contest and also added an insurance goal with less than a minute remaining.

For Game 3 in Nashville, goals flew through the first couple periods, as the teams were tied 3-3 after 40 minutes. Center Ryan Johansen gave the Preds a lead in the third with his first goal of the series, only for defenseman Brett Pesce to tie the game with about three minutes left in regulation. The game, which had the teams nearly identical in shots, hits, and faceoff wins, went into double overtime, where with about five minutes left center Matt Duchene scored a highlight reel goal to secure the 5-4 win for the Predators.

Finally, just a couple days after going into a second overtime period, Carolina and Nashville did it again in Game 4. After scoring the game’s first goal within the first minute of action, center Luke Kunin scored the game’s final goal with under four minutes left in double-OT, as the Predators won 4-3 and evened up the series. Unlike a very balanced Game 3, Nashville won Game 4 despite getting outshot 61-43, with Juuse Saros making an impressive 58 saves.

Who to Watch

Starting with the visitors, it has been a very balanced point-scoring effort. 10 different players have multiple points through four games, with defenseman Ryan Ellis leading with four points. Duchene and Johansen, along with left wings Filip Forsberg and Erik Haula, each have three points as well.

In addition, Nashville has to be feeling good about the play of Saros in net. The 26-year old has been a tough nut to crack, where despite a couple games with four goals allowed he has a solid 2.52 GAA and .929 save percentage.

An excellent Game 2 has helped place Aho as Carolina’s leader with five points. He is also averaging 24-and-a-half minutes of ice time per game, first among forwards and fourth overall on the team. Much like Nashville, the Canes have 11 players with multiple points, including Pesce and center Jordan Staal who each have four.

The Hurricanes are continuing to trust the 25-year old Nedeljkovic in net. After making just four career starts before this season, Nedeljkovic has started every playoff game so far, earning a strong 2.13 GAA with a .928 save percentage.

Key Stat

There is no goalie this postseason who has more shots through four games than Saros’ 181. He has, however, stopped 171 of them, as he is likely the single biggest reason Nashville is tied in this series. Another reason is their penalty kill, where the Predators are holding the league’s second-ranked power play from the regular season to just 2-for-14 this series, a measly 14.3 percent.

Betting Pick

Much credit should go to the Predators for hanging around in this series, let alone tying it at two wins apiece. The play of Saros has been phenomenal, and obviously the penalty kill is working.

However, with the series shifting back to Raleigh, expect the Hurricanes to come out strong on Tuesday night. It’s possible we still haven’t seen Carolina at their highest level yet, while it’s maybe even likely we’ve seen Nashville reach their peak with a pair of double-OT victories.

While Carolina is a large -198 favorite to win, they’re just -120 to win in regulation. Now back at home where they won comfortably and in front of a wild crowd, I’m taking the Canes to get it done in 60 minutes and earn a 3-2 series lead.

• Pick: Hurricanes in regulation -120