Nashville Predators Favored in NHL Qualifying Round Against Arizona Coyotes

• The Nashville Predators and Arizona Coyotes will face off in a best-of-five qualifying-round series
• Nashville enters as the #6 seed in the West; Arizona is #11
• We examine the odds and pick a winner in this best-of-five series
  

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While the start date is up in the air, the NHL is back with the Nashville Predators and Arizona Coyotes facing off in the Qualifying Round of the 24-team playoff.

Regardless of it being the middle of summer, it’s playoff hockey. We’ll take it.

The league announced the top 12 teams in each conference are playoff-bound, with the top four receiving byes to the Round of 16. The remaining eight teams in each conference are seeded and battle it out in a best-of-five series.

Predators vs Coyotes Qualifying Round Series Odds

Odds taken May 27th.

This is a true gift for the Coyotes.

When play was paused, the Predators controlled the second Wild Card spot. Arizona was four points back, with Vancouver and Minnesota ahead of them. All three teams had a game in hand on the Coyotes.

The #Coyotes will play the Nashville Predators in a best-of-five qualifying round series when play resumes. #Yotes

— Alexander Kinkopf (@AEKinkopf) May 26, 2020

In fact, on May 12th, Arizona’s Stanley Cup Odds were at +6000. Since then, they’ve improved to +5000. The Preds sit at +1800.

Predators, Coyotes Offensive Comparison

Nashville has been a hard team to gauge this season.

They had 55 points in 50 games; three fewer points than the Coyotes. Since then they earned 23 points, inching up the standings. But it didn’t solve their offensive woes.

Predators vs Coyotes: Offense

Since February 1st, both teams scored 45 goals, but it took Nashville two more games. They allowed 49 goals against for a minus-four differential. Arizona was plus-four in differential, and generated more high-danger chances over the last two months of the season.

Predators, Coyotes Head-to-Head in 2019/20

Both games were in 2019, so there isn’t a lot of recent history. Arizona went three-for-six on the power play in a 5-2 October win, while Nashville fired 41 shots on net in their 3-2 win in December.

Series X-Factor: Taylor Hall

On December 16th, the Coyotes acquired Taylor Hall from the Devils.

The move made sense. Arizona was ninth in the NHL based on points, with a young core that could use a game-breaker.

But what works on paper doesn’t always pan out on the ice.

Taylor Hall: Devils vs Coyotes

The thinking was that a change of scenery from the bottom-feeding Devils to the upstart Coyotes would kick Hall’s numbers into gear.

In fact, his points-per-game dropped following the trade. Hall had just four points in the seven games before the stoppage with a pair of two-point games.

Taylor Hall will play in “postseason” games and potentially still get the chance to use his Draft Lottery magic

— Chris Ryan (@ChrisRyan_NJ) May 26, 2020

Hall has six points in five games in his lone playoff appearance. He also has the most to gain or lose when the NHL returns, as he tops the list of pending free agents. If Hall is the difference maker he has typically been when healthy, it should mean a bigger pay day.

Neutral Site Plays in Coyotes’ Favor

If this were a normal series, the edge would go to the Predators. Even though they slumped the last two seasons, Nashville is 19-11 at home in the playoffs since 2015.

Quick hits on #Coyotes – Predators from 2019-20:

– Teams traded home wins (1-1-0); played two of three scheduled match-ups
– Phil Kessel netted his first ARI goal vs. NSH in a two-goal outing on Oct. 17
– ARI Point Leaders: Clayton Keller (3A) & Nick Schmaltz (3A)#Yotes pic.twitter.com/PEoDomd0fs

— Alexander Kinkopf (@AEKinkopf) May 26, 2020

But without home ice advantage, it’s a different series. Both teams have struggled to find consistency this year, and who knows if Pekka Rinne plays up to his playoff standard after a poor regular season?

With a motivated Taylor Hall in the fold, I think the Coyotes find their stride and pull off the upset.

The Pick: Arizona Coyotes (+105)

Additional NHL Qualifying Round Coverage:

• Opening Series Prices for All NHL First-Round Playoff Matchups
• Canucks Open as -140 Favorites Over Wild in Best-of-Five Qualifying Round
• Penguins Massive -200 Favorites Over Canadiens in Opening Best-of-Five Series Odds
• Islanders vs Panthers Opening Series Odds and Picks
• Calgary Flames vs Winnipeg Jets Series Odds Open as a Pick’em
• Opening Hurricanes vs Rangers Series Price and Picks