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Here's everything you need to know about the Vancouver Canucks vs. Nashville Predators Game 6 on Friday, May 3 – our expert NHL prediction and pick.
Canucks vs. Predators odds have Nashville as a -130 moneyline favorite, while the total is set at 5.5 goals. There have been five or fewer total goals scored in three of the past four games of this series.
Find out why I think we should expect a similar result in Game 6 as I make a Canucks vs. Predators pick and prediction.
Canucks vs. Predators Odds
Friday, May 3, 7 p.m. ET, TNT & truTV
| Canucks Odds | +110 |
| Predators Odds | -130 |
| Over / Under | 5.5 -105 / -115 |
Odds via bet365. Get up-to-the-minute NHL odds here.
Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver's goaltending situation is still up in the air, but I think we should expect Arturs Silovs to take the crease Friday.
Casey DeSmith was healthy for Game 5, but remained the backup. Additionally, if the Canucks pull Silovs and DeSmith gets shelled, that presents a tough situation for Game 7. If Silovs starts Game 6 and gets shelled, Vancouver can confidently go back to DeSmith on Sunday.
Either way, both netminders have been playing well. Silovs stopped 20-of-22 shots in Game 5, but the Canucks lost 2-1.
Two games prior, DeSmith stopped 29-of-30 shots for a .967 SV% en route to a 2-1 win.
Nashville Predators
Meanwhile, Juuse Saros is set to take the cage for Nashville. Saros has certainly endured some turbulence in this series, but returned to form in Game 5, when he stopped 19-of-20 shots for a commanding .950 SV%.
We could see a repeat performance on Friday evening, especially considering how well the Predators have done at limiting shots. Not only is Nashville preventing Vancouver from getting pucks on net, but the few shots it is allowing aren't from high-danger scoring areas.
Among the 16 playoff teams, the Predators rank fourth in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60). However, one of the three teams in front of them is the Canucks, who rank first in the same category.
Canucks vs. Predators
Betting Pick & Prediction
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that if these defenses are preventing high-danger scoring chances, the offenses also aren't creating them. Looking at the analytics, both teams rank in the bottom four among playoff teams in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60).
Meanwhile, I trust the goaltenders in this matchup. Saros is one of the league's best netminders and looked like his typical self in Game 5.
On the other hand, Silovs has done a tremendous job. I'd be surprised if the Canucks go back to DeSmith in Game 6, but if they do, I trust him too.
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