Winnipeg flashed a powerful pose in their first-round win over Minnesota. The Jets dominated the Wild winning four out of five games. Despite being favored with the Stanley Cup playoff odds Nashville needed six games to eliminate Colorado. On the positive the Predators played their best playoff game in closing out the Avalanche. Now the Jets and Preds matchup in a best of seven Western Conference semifinal. Many experts are touting it as the most attractive matchup so far. And with good reason. Winnipeg and Nashville are two of the most complete teams in the NHL Playoffs.
Jets vs. Predators Western Conference Semifinal Game 1
Date and Time: Friday, April 27th, 2018 at 8 p.m. ET
Location: Bell MTS Place, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, Tennessee
NHL Betting Online Odds at SBG:
| Team | Spread | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jets | +1½ (-235) | 5½ (-110) |  |
| Predators | -1½ (+195) | 5½ (-110) | |
| |||
Jets vs. Predators TV Coverage: Check Listings
What to Expect
This best of seven series will open with two games at Nashville. Games three and four are at Winnipeg. If necessary game five will be at Bridgestone Arena. The sixth game would be at Bell MTS Place. Nashville would host a game seven if needed. Regular season results saw Nashville win the President’s Trophy for best record. Winnipeg was just three points behind the Preds. Last year the Predators won the Western Conference championship. Pittsburgh defeated them in the Stanley Cup Final.
Jets
Winnipeg was the second highest scoring team in the NHL regular season. Almost as impressive was their rank of fifth for goals against. Home ice was a huge advantage for the Jets. Bell MTS Place saw the Jets post a mark of 32-7-2. Only 15 of their 41 home games went under the total. Against Minnesota they won all four of their home playoff games. Under the total paid in four of their five games vs. the Wild.
Predators
Nashville is a justifiable favorite with the Stanley Cup Playoff odds. They were strong both home and away. At Bridgestone they were 28-9-1-3 and 25-9-3-4 away from home. Rankings of seventh for goals for and second for goals against do impress. First round action saw the Preds win three out of four at home. Their last three games went under the total.
Important Names on the Ice
Defenseman PK Subban is a large presence for the Predators. Subban combines hard hitting defense with powerful offensive ability. Veteran Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien is nearly as impressive. “Big Buff” has five assists with a plus three so far in post season.
Team vs. Team
Nashville has had the edge in their sportsbook series with the Jets. In the last 11 meetings the Predators got the money seven times. Four of the last five in this series went over the total. On home ice the Preds have beaten Winnipeg in four of the last five games. Additionally, four of the last five at Bridgestone Arena have gone over the total.
Matchup to Watch
Nashville got a first round wakeup call against Colorado. It was a reminder of what it will take to beat the Stanley Cup Playoff odds. Expect the Preds to be sharper and better prepared for the Jets. Their experience of winning the West last year is the matchup advantage.
Jets vs. Predators NHL Playoff Lines Picks
Nashville is the pick to beat the Jets and make the Western Conference Final!
NHL Betting Online Pick: Nashville Predators
NHL Betting Online Score Prediction: Preds 4 games, Jets 2 games
Catch highlights of the Preds closing out Colorado!