While some teams may have better records, no team may be hotter than the Nashville Predators. They have a 6-2-2 record over their last 10, and a four-game winning streak, but some of those six wins include two over the Colorado Avalanche, and one each over the Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes. It may not always be pretty for Nashville, but they've proven they can beat some big contenders.
It’s hard to figure out the Los Angeles Kings, who seemed like a team destined to fall off with a stagnant offense and questionable defense and goaltending, but have exploded recently with massive offensive outputs. They've alternated wins over the past six games, scoring a combined 19 goals in the three wins and just five goals in the three losses. They are the worst kind of team to try and handicap.
It feels like a great chance to back Juuse Saros, the NHL’s third star of the week, who won two games and stopped 53 of 55 shots. I’d feel good with Justus Annunen in net as well, but will be slightly less confident than if they put their starter in against the Kings. This should be Saros’ game, but keep an eye on the projected goalies, as he was in Toronto last night for his old battery mate Pekka Rinne’s Hall of Fame induction, meaning they might give Annunen the first game of the back-to-back to give their starter some extra rest.
Predators vs Kings prediction: Predators ML (+105) available at time of publishing. Playable to that number.
