Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks Game 1 Odds and Predictions – Free NHL Picks 4-28-11

Free NHL Playoffs Picks and Odds – Game 1 Nashville Predators at Vancouver Canucks Favorite, Moneyline, Total and Predictions 4/28/11: The Nashville Predators are a resilient bunch, once thought to be an overachieving pretender earlier in the year the Preds’ have become one of the toughest and grittiest hockey clubs in the league. They play a ‘grind it out’ style of game, which might not look good on television, but it has gotten them to the second round of the NHL playoffs. Mike Fisher has been the most productive player, on a consistent basis, and he is revitalizing his career in the music city. Once thought to be washed up, Fisher has emerged onto the scene in Nashville with his deceptive speed and quick shot. He leads the team with 6 points and a +2 rating through 6 games, but his contributions to the penalty kill and cycle game also should be somewhere on the stat sheet. He is being complemented by Joel Ward and Jordin Tootoo, of all players, each with 5 points apiece. The contributions of tough, gritty players like Jordin Tootoo show that this Nashville club has all hands on deck for the long haul.

The Vancouver Canucks were able to muster their way out of the opening round and now are in prime position to go straight on through to the finals. The Chicago Blackhawks were a club that had caused the Vancouver Canucks great turmoil over the years and much doubt was casted over this Vancouver bunch for never being able to topple the men from the windy city. Tuesday’s extraordinary overtime victory not only was good in that it propelled them to the second round, but it gave the Canucks an injection of confidence and fulfillment. They had finally surpassed the Blackhawks and could now rest hope in the fact that they did not have to face them again. Vancouver was excellent in all facets of their game on Tuesday night and they offered little room to the speedy Hawks’ snipers. Roberto Lulongo bounced back after a horrific game 6 appearance and had one of the finest nights of his career. His breathtaking robbery of Patrick Kane in the overtime period not only saved the Canucks from elimination, but it saved the entire city another year of scrutiny and pessimism.

The complimentary play tonight lies with the UNDER(Check the latest NHL Odds at SBG Global Sportsbook) . Both clubs are coming off of long, grueling series in which many ailments and bruises piled up. The Canucks feed on playing for the opening goal in playoff games and then sitting on it for the duration of the match. Roberto Lulongo and Pekke Renne are both playing at their maximum levels at the current moment and I do not foresee a drop in their play tonight. The Predators love to play a tight knit game and their defensive transition game is tops in the league. Shea Webber might be the best defensemen, not named Lidstrom, and I expect him to give the crashing Canucks forwards a tough time getting to the net. The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Nashville’s last 7 games when playing Vancouver and has gone UNDER in 5 of Nashville’s last 6 games when playing on the road against Vancouver. The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Vancouver’s last 17 games and has gone UNDER in 7 of Vancouver’s last 8 games at home. The stakes are even higher in the second round and the pressure is mounted, I expect both clubs to take a while to feel each other out. We will consider the goals to be few and far between tonight in the highly anticipated opening game of the second round of the NHL playoffs. Cheers!

Free Pick: UNDER 5
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