Jets vs Predators Game 7: Sudden Death in Nashville

• Game 7 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals will be decided on Lower Broadway on Thursday night
• Will Pekka Rinna’s strong play in Game 6 carry over into Game 7?
• Will the Jets’ power play come back to life?

On Tuesday night the Nashville Predators kept their streak of never losing back-to-back games in this year’s playoffs alive as they evened up their series with the Winnipeg Jets at three games apiece. The Preds are now 5-0 after a loss in the playoffs, but will have to find a way to win two in a row—something neither of these teams have been able to do in this series.

Nashville jumped out to an early lead 1:02 into the game through a deflected shot by Viktor Arvidsson. The goal was initially disallowed for a high stick but was overturned. Filip Forsberg added goals in the second and third periods to silence the packed house at the Bell MTS Centre. An empty netter officially ended things at 4-0.

Home ice hasn’t proved to hold the typical advantage in this series as both teams are 1-2 playing at home. In fact, in the NHL Playoffs overall this year, home ice has not proven to be overly fruitful, with home teams posting a combined 32-34 record. This year aside, NHL Game 7’s historically have seen home teams go 100-70.

Rinne Shuts Down Jets’ Stars

After being yanked from the net twice already in this series, including after allowing six goals in Game 5, Rinne turned in a confident and complete performance in Game 6, shutting out the Jets and turning aside 34 shots.

Which Rinne shows up in Game 7 will go a long way in deciding the outcome of this series. In Nashville’s three wins, Rinne has a 1.46 GAA and .957 save-percentage, compared to a much worse 5.78 GAA and .835 save-percentage in their three losses.

Head-To-Head Results

Jets vs Predators Game 7 Betting Advice

Pick: Nashville ML & Under 5.5 Goals

The winner of this game and series could most likely come down to which team’s top line can take over the game. Both team’s first units have been on fire with the Preds’ top line of Ryan Johansen, Forsberg, and Arvidsson recording a combined 37 points in this series and totalling eight points alone in Game 6. On the Jets’ side Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Blake Wheeler have 33 in the series and also had eight of their own in Game 5.

The Jets will also need their powerplay to be more effective as going 0/3 in the first period and 0/4 overall Tuesday was a key contributor to their downfall.

In terms of the total, it’s worth noting that Game 7’s are typically played close to the vest as over the last 15 playoff Game 7’s only four times have there been over five goals scored. In fact, in that same sample size three or less goals have been scored eight times.

This one is almost too close to call. These were the top two teams in the league this year and they’re now deadlocked in Game 7. However, the Predators have the experience of reaching the Finals last year, and will have home ice. They should carry the momentum from Game 6 into this game. I’ll take the Preds in a tightly contested and close Game 7.

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