NHL Playoffs, Nashville Predators vs Vancouver Canucks: Game 1 Best Bets

The quest for the 2024 Stanley Cup begins as the Vancouver Canucks host the Nashville Predators in Game 1 of this First Round of the NHL Playoffs.

The Canucks ended up running away with the Pacific Division and secured the #1 seed. Now they face the Wild Card squad from the Central Division in this first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, a postseason they haven't fade since the 2019-2020 season.

After missing the playoffs last season, the Predators are back in the postseason. Prior to last season, Nashville had an 8 season streak of making the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and now they have their sights set on making it back to the Finals like they did in 2016-2017.

Who will take game one in Vancouver?

Let's take a dive into this game and find our best bets.

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Nashville Goes North for Game 1

Matchup Information – Predators vs Canucks

• Venue & Location: Rogers Arena (Vancouver, BC)
• Date: Sunday, April 21st, 2024
• Puck Drop: 10:00pm Eastern
• Where to Watch: ESPN

Betting Odds, courtesy of BetOnline

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Puck Line

• Predators +1.5 (-205)
• Canucks -1.5 (+175)

Money Line

• Predators +125
• Canucks -140

Total

• Over 5.5 (-116)
• Under 5.5 (+100)

Can Canucks Stay Hot Against Predators?

The Canucks handled business in every game against Nashville this regular season. In all three meetings, the Canucks came out on top, beating the Predators 3-2 in Nashville, 5-2 at home, and 5-2 back on the road. Now two of these meetings happened in late October, with the 3rd happening just before Christmas, so it's been a while since these teams met.

But have the Predators improved enough to upset Vancouver at home?

Believe it or not, the Predators actually won more games on the road this season than they did at Bridgestone Arena, where as the Canucks won four more games at home. The Canucks averaged 2.7 Goals Against per game ranking tied for 5th in the NHL, while the Predators found themselves at 3.02 Goals Against per game, ranking 15th. Vancouver also averaged more goals per game as well, scoring 3.4 compared to the Predators 3.24.

Ultimately, I think the Predators rely heavily on their defense to bring them a victory on the road, but I'm not convinced that it will be enough. Vancouver ranks 5th in the league in goal differential this year, while the Predators are last amongst Western Conference Playoff teams in that category.

Point being, Nashville has their work cut out for themselves on the road.

Nashville Predators vs Vancouver Canucks Best Bets

Best Bet: Vancouver Canucks ML (-140) BetOnline

I'll bet on the home team tonight. The Canucks have beaten Nashville all three times this season, and beat them in four straight games dating back to last season. The Predators have not beaten the Canucks in Vancouver since November of 2022, and I don't see it happening tonight.

Thatcher Demko ranked 5th amongst qualifying goalies in Goal Against/Game this year, allowing just 2.45 and stopping 91.8% of shots, which ranked tied for 3rd. Juuse Saros is much further down the list for the Predators.

He ranks 26th in goals against, allowing 2.86 per game, and stopped only 90.6% of shots, ranking 23rd.

I'd much rather back the team that scores more, gives up less, and the Top 5 keeper, compared to Top 25. Give me the Canucks at home for a little bit of juice.

NHL Player Prop Bets: Predators vs Canucks

Check out which NHL prop bet our guy, Gretzky Betzky, likes in this game along with the others on the NHL Slate!

Check out our Best NHL Player Prop Bets!

What About the Other NHL Playoff Games?

Don't worry, we've got you covered all NHL Postseason at Betting News. Check out the articles below for more game previews, predictions, and FREE Expert Picks.

• FREE Expert Picks for every NHL Playoff Game
• Avalanche vs Jets Game 1 Preview
• Best NHL Player Prop Bets Today!
• Join our FREE NHL Bracket Challenge for a chance at Merch!