Sports Betting Overview
The Nashville Predators do not get enough credit for putting together a team that will challenge for the Stanley Cup in the playoffs. If Nashville was in any other division besides the Central Division, then it would either be in first place or only one point out of first. But chasing the red hot St. .Louis Blues has not been easy for any team in the Central Division. But Nashville has been able to stay neck and neck with the Detroit Red Wings for second place in the division and fourth place in the Western Conference. Nashville has more wins in regulation than the Red Wings and that is what is keeping the Predators in fourth place in the conference.
In Chicago, the March Madness spreads are getting some interest and the NBA trade deadline 2012 has come and gone without much fanfare. The Chicago Bulls may not need upgrades at the trade deadline, but the Chicago Blackhawks could have used just a little more help on defense. One of the things that has helped the Blackhawks is the return of goaltender Corey Crawford. After being injured in late February, Crawford has returned to put together a three-game winning streak which includes one shutout. It is the kind of boost the Blackhawks needed as the team gets ready to roll into the playoffs to try and see if it can create the same excitement it created two years ago when Chicago won the Stanley Cup.
Nashville Predators
Last year’s Predators’ team was seen as a strong team that was designed to do well in the playoffs. For the first time in team history, the Predators got to the second round of the playoffs last year. But the Predators have made so many good personnel moves since then that anything less than a Conference Finals appearance is going to feel like a failure. The betting sports news experts have seen how much depth the Predators have created in its roster and are wondering if maybe the Predators will not be challenging for the Stanley Cup this year. This is a strong team that is getting world-class goaltending from Pekka Rinne. This is going to be a hard team to beat.
Chicago Blackhawks
It is normal for a team to struggle without its starting goaltender, especially this late in the season. But a sportsbook review of the Blackhawks without Corey Crawford shows a team that is lost without its starting goalie. The Blackhawks just do not play strong defense and it tries to compensate with fast-paced offense. That tactic works on a lot of teams in the NHL. But it is not going to be nearly as effective against the Nashville Predators.
The Bottom Line
The Predators have the speed and power to catch and punish the smaller Blackhawks. This is not going to be a lopsided mismatch, but it is going to show how Nashville is prepared for the playoffs and Chicago is not.
Gambling Advisor blog Pick: Nashville Predators
