Predators vs Lightning Odds
| Predators Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -170 | 6.5 -108o / -112u | +140 |
| Lightning Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +142 | 6.5 -108o / -112u | -164 |
The 2023-24 NHL season gets underway on Tuesday afternoon as the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Nashville Predators.
These clubs squared off twice last season, and Tampa Bay won both matchups by a combined score of 8-4.
Will the Lightning take care of business once again, or can the Predators pull off the upset on the road?
Here's a look at the odds, as well as my Predators vs. Lightning betting pick and prediction.
Nashville Predators
A new era (sort of) of Predators hockey gets underway this season with Barry Trotz as GM and Andrew Brunette behind the bench. I love both hirings and think both were necessary steps in the right direction, though there are definitely still some question marks with the roster's overall construction.
Trotz made sure the team parted ways with Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen, and surprisingly brought in Ryan O'Reilly to center the first line when many (myself included) thought Nashville was about to enter a rebuild.
It is clear Trotz wants to re-tool instead of rebuild.
Whenever you have Juuse Saros, you are in a hockey game, which is why I like the Predators at +140. A perennial Vezina candidate, Saros put together another brilliant season in 2022-23 with a .919 SV% and a 2.69 GAA.
He also ranked first among all starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes at 5-on-5. The product in front of Saros leaves a lot to be desired, but he keeps Nashville in games and is always capable of stealing a win.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Speaking of goaltending, that has been the main headline surrounding the Lightning over the past few weeks. Rumors started swirling when Andrei Vasilevskiy, the backbone of this team during its dominance over the past decade, was just lightly participating in training camp activities.
It turns out that Vasilevskiy's back needed to go under the knife, and he's now expected to remain on Injured Reserve for the first few months of the season. As someone who has a future on the Lightning to win the Cup this year, that absolutely sucks.
Now, Tampa Bay is obviously good enough to tread water without Vasilevskiy, but the Lightning could be on upset watch through the first few months of the season with Jonas Johansson taking over in net.
A career backup, Johansson performed well in his three games with the Colorado Avalanche last season, but that was behind the best blue line in hockey. Tampa Bay has some very impressive blue liners, but it is more talented on the offensive end and finished last year ranked 19th in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes at 5-on-5.
Predators vs. Lightning
Betting Pick & Prediction
In the short run, Vasilevskiy's absence is going to hamper a team that's leaky defensively and that's going to put a lot of pressure on Johansson, even against a Predators offense that is average at best.
I wouldn't be shocked if Nashville gets off to a solid start this year. The Predators boast both newcomers with a lot to prove as they approach the final chapters in their careers (Ryan O'Reilly, Gustav Nyquist and Luke Schenn) and strong young players (Juuso Parssinen, Luke Evangelista) to help the main core.
In a game where the goaltending edge is clearly in favor of the Predators, I'll take a shot on them at +140 against a Lightning team that hasn't had to care much about the regular season until December over the past half-decade.
