DeSmith, Canucks Look to Grab Commanding Lead over Predators

Thatcher Demko’s injury dealt a crushing blow to the Vancouver Canucks’ Stanley Cup hopes. However, that misfortune wasn’t enough to slow them down in Game 3. The Canucks edged the Nashville Predators to take a critical 2-1 lead in their first round series out West.

Can they carry that momentum into Sunday’s Game 4 (5 p.m.) at Bridgestone Arena?

The Predators are -1.5 (+195) favorites on the puck line and -130 on the moneyline, with the Canucks +1.5 (-238) on the spread and +110 to win outright.

The projected total is 5.5, with a slight edge to the Over at -115. Additionally, Vancouver is now a -255 favorite to win the best-of-seven series, compared to +215 for Nashville.

What should bettors expect? Read on as we break down both teams and assess the Canucks vs Predators odds in our NHL playoff game preview.

Canucks vs Predators Betting Trends

The Vancouver Canucks are 43-42 against the puck line, including 21-21 away from home. While Vancouver went Under the projected total in Game 3, its record against the Over/Under is 43-39-3. Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators are 44-41 ATS, including 20-22 at home. As for the Over/Under, the Predators are 39-42-4.

It’s important to remember these betting trends when assessing the Canucks vs Predators odds.

DeSmith Rises to the Occasion

No Thatcher Demko, no problem? Vancouver survived without its No. 1 goaltender in Game 3, riding veteran backup Casey DeSmith to a 2-1 victory. DeSmith made 29 saves, bouncing back from a subpar performance in Game 2 to give the Canucks a 2-1 edge in the series.

The Canucks spent much of the evening on their heels, managing only 12 shots. But like they did for much of the regular season, the Canucks found a way to win.

DeSmith’s experience — the 32-year-old spent five of the previous six seasons with Pittsburgh — bodes well for a team carrying Stanley Cup aspirations. With Demko week-to-week with a lower-body injury, the Canucks’ hopes hinge largely on the former Penguin.

Following Game 3, the Canucks’ Western Conference odds improved from +850 to +650. The Canucks also now have +1800 odds to win the Stanley Cup, the eighth shortest on the board.

The Canucks will look to continue their success on the road, where they are 24-14-4 OU and 21-21 ATS. A Game 4 victory would put them in the driver’s seat to make the second round for the first time since the 2019-20 campaign.

Nashville squandered a prime opportunity in Game 3, but not for a lack of trying. The Predators had a commanding 30-12 edge in shots but beat DeSmith only once, with Luke Evangelista scoring at 16:48 of the third period to break the shutout bid.

As such, the Canucks became the first team to win a playoff game with only 12 shots since Pittsburgh defeated Nashville in Game 1 of the 2017 Stanley Cup Finals.

The Predators went 0 for 5 on the power play and are now just 1 for 14 this series. That concerning trend will need to improve in order to knock off Vancouver.

Meanwhile, there are no such worries in goal. Juuse Saros has just an .880 save percentage this series but had a solid regular season, going 35-24-5 (2.86 GAA, .906 save percentage). The two-time All-Star remains arguably the biggest key to the Predators’ Western Conference hopes, which dropped from +1300 to +2200 following Game 3. That leaves them as the biggest longshots on the board per NHL rankings.

The Predators dropped to 11-4 in Game 3s at home, their second straight such loss.

Nashville has largely performed well for bettors, going 44-41 ATS. But the Predators, in some respects, have underperformed at home (20-22 ATS). Be sure to keep that in mind when assessing the Canucks vs Predators odds.

Handicapping the Game

The Canucks are now 4-1 against the Predators this season. More importantly, they’ve shown the ability to beat the Predators without Demko, who was tied for third in the NHL with a .918 save percentage.

While Demko joined the Canucks for their trip to Nashville, it will again be DeSmith in Game 4. Normally that would be a concern, but DeSmith rose to the occasion with his Game 3 performance. That obviously bodes well.

Nashville has been resilient this season, especially in the second half. The Predators had an 18-game point streak from Feb. 17 to April 15, outscoring opponents 106-71 during that stretch.

Can they recapture that form before it’s too late?

For NHL predictions, betting analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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