The Nashville Predators (19-10-1) return from the COVID-19 break with hopes of notching an eighth consecutive victory on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals (18-6-7).
Bookmaker Bovada fancies goals here with the odds for over 5.5 goals at -130 and for over 6.5 goals at +115.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 28th, 8:30 P.M. (EST)
Nashville had a very slow start to the season with just one win from the first five outings of the campaign, but only seven more losses have followed and the team has played spectacular hockey at both ends of the ice.
The Predators are getting just below three goals per game (2.93); and with goaltender Juuse Saros in top form, their defense has been stringy with a 2.63 goals-against average. They have allowed over two goals just twice during their current winning streak.
Saros enters Wednesday’s matchup on a personal five-game winning run. He’s put together a strong 15-8-1 record for the season with a 2.22 goals-against average, a .924 save percentage and two shutouts.
The Predators attack has come to life thanks to the improved form of Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen. Duchene has struggled in Music City ever since coming over as a free agent in 2019 and he put up just 13 points in 34 games last season, but the two-time All-Star is close to averaging a point per game in 26 games this term.
Johansen has had a couple of poor seasons on the bounce managing just 58 points in total, but he’s currently on pace to finish 2021-22 with 66 points.
Duchene is nursing an upper-body injury and his absence will be a big blow for the team on Wednesday. Head coach John Hynes will also be sweating on the status of captain and leading scorer Roman Josi, who’s been in COVID-19 protocols but should be eligible to come off the COVID-19 list on Wednesday.
Washington has seven players in the protocols and head coach Peter Laviolette will be forced to roll with a weakened squad, but Alex Ovechkin is available and sometimes it appears that it’s all that the Capitals need.
The veteran sniper is having one of the best seasons of his career sitting third in scoring with 47 points and having already scored 22 goals in 31 games.
Ovechkin has moved past Marcel Dionne and Brett Hull on the all-time goals list this season to claim the fourth spot and he continues to produce at a high level even at 36. The Great Eight has potted 13 goals in 21 career games against Nashville and is set to be a treat all night on Wednesday.
