Predators Still Alive, Look to Force Game 7 Against Canucks
Predators vs Canucks Odds: Nashville -130 Moneyline Favorite

Nashville isn’t done yet. The Predators’ Western Conference first-round series with the Vancouver Canucks is headed to a Game 6. The puck drop is set for Friday (time TBA) at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, with the Canucks holding a 3-2 series lead.
Nashville is -1.5 (+190) on the puck line and -130 on the moneyline, with Vancouver +1.5 (-230), and +110 to win outright. Meanwhile, the projected total is 5.5 with a slight edge to the Under at -115. The Canucks are still -330 favorites to win the series, compared to +270 for the Predators.
To help get bettors ready for Game 6, let’s break down both NHL teams and assess the Predators vs Canucks odds.Â
Vancouver Canucks vs Nashville Predators 
Location: Bridgestone Arena; Nashville
Day/Time: Streaming: TBD
Canucks vs Predators Betting Trends
The Vancouver Canucks are 44-43 against the puck line and 44-40-3 against the Over/Under. Meanwhile, the Nashville Predators are 45-42 against the puck line and 40-43-4 against the Over/Under.
It’s important to remember these betting trends when assessing the Predators vs Canucks odds.Â
Saros Bounces Back
After Juuse Saros struggled in Game 4, the Nashville netminder bounced back with a solid effort to help extend the series. Saros kept Vancouver off the board for the first two periods and finished with 19 saves, including a key stop on J.T. Miller — one of the NHL scoring leaders with 103 regular-season points — in the final seconds.
Saros, whose save percentage for the series is still only .879, is arguably the biggest key to Nashville’s hopes of advancing. He was extremely productive during the regular season, recording a 2.86 goals against-average, a .906 save percentage, and three shutouts.
The Predators now head back home, where they have already lost twice this postseason. Interestingly, they didn’t lose more than two straight games at Bridgestone Arena all season while amassing a 23-16-2 record.
To continue prolonging the series, Nashville will surely need to improve its special teams play. The Predators are still just 2 for 20 (10%) on the power play this series despite Roman Josi’s game-tying goal in Game 5. They performed far better in the regular season, converting on 21.6% of their attempts.
Nashville’s Western Conference odds grew from +6000 to +2500 following its win. However, it remains a longshot for the Stanley Cup (+7000). Be sure to keep that in mind when making your hockey picks.Â
Silovs Can’t Save Canucks
Vancouver went back to Arturs Silovs in goal, and he performed relatively well. Silovs, making his second consecutive start, carried a shutout into the third period and finished with 20 saves.
Unfortunately for the Canucks, it wasn’t enough.
Vancouver has now lost two home games this series after going 27-9-5 at Rogers Arena during the regular season.
Silovs will presumably get another start. The 2019 sixth-round draft pick replaced Casey DeSmith, who notched his first postseason win in Game 2. DeSmith took over for Vezina Trophy finalist Thatcher Demko, who is sidelined week-to-week with a lower-body injury.
Demko’s absence is a big blow to Vancouver’s Stanley Cup hopes, which dropped from +1700 to +2200 following Game 5. But the Canucks still should have enough in the tank to outlast the Predators. Vancouver hasn’t been past the first round of the NHL bracket since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.
Vancouver may need to ratchet up the pressure on the net. Tuesday marked the third straight game in which the Canucks were outnumbered in both shots on goal (22-20) and shot attempts (57-55). Nikita Zadorov accounted for the Canucks’ only goal.
Handicapping the Game
After missing an opportunity to put away the best-of-seven series at home, Vancouver heads back to Nashville. The circumstances certainly aren’t ideal, especially with Demko still sidelined.
Vancouver is 5-2 against the Predators this season but must contend again with Saros. The two-time All-Star rose to the occasion in Game 4, making several key stops.
This was always shaping up to be a long series, and it’s played out as such. At this point, it wouldn’t be surprising to see it go the distance. A bet on Nashville might be in the cards.
Canucks vs Predators Betting Lines
For Predators vs Canucks odds, betting analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.