Arizona Coyotes vs Nashville Predators 08/02/2020 NHL Spread, Game Analysis and Previews

Arizona Coyotes vs Nashville Predators 08/02/2020 –Game 1 of the best-of-five qualifying series between the Arizona Coyotes and the Nashville Predators takes place on Sunday inside the Western Conference bubble slated at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The game starts at 02:00 PM Eastern Time and will be available on TV via USA and online streaming at NHL.TV. The Predators will be making their bubble debut as the higher seeded team at 6th place and are favored to win at -130 money line based on the latest NHL Odds. The 11th-seeded Coyotes will aim to make the most out of their chance to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs as they try to defy the -130 price to win the first game.

Arizona Coyotes vs Nashville Predators 08/02/2020

When: Sunday, August 2, 02:00 PM EST

Where: Rogers Place, Edmonton, Alberta

TV: USA

Stream: NHL.TV

Arizona Coyotes vs Nashville Predators 08/02/2020 Betting Odds:

Team	PUCKLINE	TOTAL	ML
Arizona Coyotes	+1.5 (-235)	5.5 o (+110)	+105
Nashville Predators	-1.5 (+195)	5.5 u (-130)	-125

Eleven-seed versus six-seed. Are the odds stacked against Arizona? Maybe on paper, but not so fast.#ARIvsNSH preview: https://t.co/YNJiNZjckr

— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) August 1, 2020

Arizona Coyotes

Arizona Coyotes entered the break with dim chances of making the postseason as they sat with a 33-29-8 record. But thanks to the revised format, the Coyotes have earned an extra life despite being seeded fifth in the Pacific Division. Rick Tocchet will try to rely on the strengths of his weapons, most particularly his goalies, who are expected to become the difference-makers for the squad. Prior to the hiatus, the Coyotes were tied for third in goals allowed per game at 2.61. Thursday’s 4-1 loss in an exhibition match against the Vegas Golden Knights should serve as a timely wake-up call for Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta, who will be taking turns for Arizona in manning the middle of the pipes. 

Players to watch: Clayton Keller (GP 70, G 17, A 27, PTS 44), Nick Schmaltz (GP 70, G 11, A 34, PTS 45), Conor Garland (GP 68, G 22, A 17, PTS 39).

Nashville Predators

Nashville’s own goaltenders are not to be disregarded. The Predators may be behind the Coyotes in goals allowed per game, but Juuse Saros and Pekka Rinne have shown enough to prove that they are likewise reliable. When the games were suspended in March, the Predators were four points behind the third seed in the Central Division. But instead of playing with the wildcard disadvantage, they will bank on the favorite tag over the Coyotes in the qualifying series. Team captain Roman Josi will remain as the focal point for the Predators in the series. With 65 points to lead the team, the Swiss defenseman is also poised to win his first Norris Trophy in his career.

Players to watch: Roman Josi (GP 69, G 16, A 49, PTS 65), Filip Forsberg (GP 63, G 21, A 27, PTS 48), Matt Duchene (GP 66, G 13, A 29, PTS 42).

Arizona Coyotes vs Nashville Predators Betting Predictions

Trends

Coyotes

Coyotes are 4-0 in their last 4 games following a home loss of 3 or more goals.
Arizona is 10-3 in their last 13 games playing on 2 days rest.
Arizona is72-149 in their last 221 vs. a team with a winning record.
Over is 5-0 in Coyotes last 5 Sunday games.
Under is 6-1 in Coyotes last 7 when their opponent allows 2 goals or less in their previous game.

Predators

Predators are 4-0 in their last 4 after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Nashville is 7-1 in their last 8 games playing on 2 days rest.
Nashville is 4-1 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 2 goals or less in their previous game.
Over is 6-0-1 in Predators last 7 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
Under is 9-1 in Predators last 10 games playing on 2 days rest.

Coyotes vs Predators Betting Picks

It’s been a while since the last actual match on ice for both Arizona and Nashville. Expect jitters to be present for both sides but the Predators are poised to draw the first blood in this affair. It will be a hard-fought win, though, as the Coyotes will bring the intensity to make the matters interesting in Game 1.

Score Prediction: Coyotes 2, Predators 3.