Ford Ice Center (Nashville)
Nashville and Carolina will meet in another NHL matchup. The teams met in the first round last playoffs. Back then, the Hurricanes knocked the Predators out of the draw. Will the Predators be able to get revenge? There are several options to bet on.
Nashville hasn't changed much
The Predators enter the new season still under the leadership of John Hynes. The very fact that they made it to the playoffs, apparently, justified both their lackluster regular season and their eventual infamous loss. There have been very few changes to the roster, either. The most notable one was the departure of Viktor Arvidsson, who moved to the Los Angeles Kings. Cody Glass, who played for the Vegas Golden Knights, took over Arvidsson's position on the roster.
Nashville gave hockey a celebration in the opening game of the championship, losing to the Seattle Kraken at home. It was their first success in history. The key factor was the play in the uneven lineups: the Predators realized the majority once but conceded twice on the penalty kill. The work of the special teams made the difference: 3-4.
Carolina aims for a successful season
Rod Brind'Amour's team has been swimming with the biggest fish for years. But after having a successful regular season and a successful first-round playoff run, Carolina has been knocked off time after time in the following rounds.
In the new championship, the Hurricanes, apparently, want to break the unpleasant tradition by all means. Why? It's about time! In the offseason, Carolina bolstered both the scoring line by signing Jesperi Kotkaniemi and the bottom by signing Derek Stepan. The defense, having lost essentially only Dougie Hamilton, has literally been transformed. Bear, DeAngelo, and Cole are great defensemen who have certainly strengthened Carolina. There's no getting around the revamped goaltending squad. Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta are a set worthy of a true contender.
The first game of the season confirmed Carolina's ambitions. 6-3: the Hurricanes overcame the strong New York Islanders. Andrei Svechnikov scored a double. Teuvo Teravainen made a goal+assist.
Head-to-head encounters
Last season, Carolina beat Nashville in 10 games out of 14, closing the regular season series 6-2 and the playoff series 4-2.
Expert Betting Tips
Nashville has no prospects this season, frankly. John Hynes's team was mediocre last season and will likely remain so in the new championship. That means the Predators don't stand a chance against Carolina again.
Prediction: a win for Carolina.
Betting options:
- Carolina To Win (incl. Overtime And Penalties) for 1.84;
- Handicap Carolina (0) for about 1.87.
Other predictions
