The Predators are slim favorites against the Red Wings at Bodog.ca, checking in at -115 on the latest series odds. Detroit isn’t far behind either at -105.
The Predators and Red Wings split the season series with three wins apiece, but Nashville won the last two matchups, including a hard to come by 4-1 win in Detroit.
The Predators have home ice advantage in the series which could be the deciding factor since the Red Wings are so hard to beat at home.
Nashville also boasts a solid record at home versus Detroit with a 4-2 record in their last six home games against the Wings. Nashville appears to have all the makings of a Cup winner. They have an elite goal tender in Pekka Rinne one of the top defensive tandems in the league in Shea Weber and Ryan Suter and an elite sniper in Alexander Radulov.
The only thing Nashville doesn’t have on their side is history, as they’ve only won one playoff series in franchise history.
The Red Wings to put it simply are the Red Wings. Loaded with talent up from led by Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg and playoff star Johan Franzen. Seriously though, in 83 playoff games Franzen has 37 goals and 72 points!
Jimmy Howard appears to be finally healthy after battling numerous injuries all season and he’ll need to match Rinne for the Wings to advance. One other thing the Wings will need to do to advance is win on the road.
Detroit was great at home this season at 31-7-3, but they were a poor 17-21-3 on the road. They’ll begin the series on the road Wednesday night as a +115 underdog at William Hill.