The NHL Playoff action is back on Saturday evening as the Winnipeg Jets will clash with the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee in game five of their best-of-seven series. The series is now at 2-2 after the Preds beat the Jets in game four by a score of 2-1.
Winnipeg Jets Form
The Winnipeg Jets have been one of the better teams this season as their offence was one of their main strengths. However, that offensive firepower was not present in the 2-1 loss in game four of this series. The Jets only scored less than 2 goals on 3 occasions so far this season at their home ground. They will have to improve in this game as their away offensive record is not so good this year and the Preds are very efficient at their home ground. The Jets away record this year is 22-23 and they have averaged 2.87 goals per game and have allowed 2.82 goals per game in those games.
In the playoffs so far, Winnipeg has been in good form as they are the 3rd best team in scoring at 3.56 goals per game, converting on 25.0% of their chances. The Jets have also been solid on the defensive side of the game as they are placed on the 4th spot in goals allowed, conceding an average of 2.33 goals per game, allowing the opposing teams to convert on 26.9% of their chances.
Nashville Predators Form
The Nashville Predators have a good scoring record this year including the playoff games. However, they scored an average two goals in game four in this series, yet they still won by 2-1. It seems that they have changed their strategy and started to focus more on the defensive side of the game. This worked really well for the Preds, who have now tied up the series at 2-2 and have the home-ice advantage in the next game. Also, Pekka Rinne had a good game as he had 32 saves of the 33 shots he faced during the game.
The Predators home form for the year stands at 31-15 so far and they have averaged 3.37 goals per game and have conceded an average of 2.61 goals per game in those games.
On the offensive side of the game, the Predators are solid during the playoffs so far as they head into this game on the 6th spot in scoring at 3.40 goals per game, converting on 21.9% of their chances. At the defensive side of the game, their form is average as they are placed on the 9th spot in goals allowed, conceding an average of 3.10 goals per game, allowing the opposing teams to convert on 16.1% of their chances.
The previous game was a surprise for many as it was expected that there will be lots of goals. However, it seems that both the Jets and the Preds are focusing more on their defensive game. I expect that the Preds to win this one as they have been a very strong home team this season. On the other side, the Jets away form is 22-23 so far. Also, they are not so solid on the offence on the road so I will take the Preds as they dominated at their home ground this season.
My Free Pick & Prediction for Winnipeg Jets vs. Nashville Predators today on 5/5/2018 is: Take the Nashville Predators -160 (money line bet)
Enjoy today’s free pick and (hopefully) another winner! Now, to get today’s premium picks from The Sports Betting Whale who has won tens of millions of dollars from betting on sports, click here to lock in your VIP access to The Whale Picks.