NHL Lines: Predators Get Opportunity To Shine vs Hurricanes

The Western Conference has been truly dominant in the NHL over the past 10 years, with teams from the west winning the Stanley Cup 7 times during that stretch. It is the Central Division that is home to the current champion Chicago Blackhawks, and there are many who believe the winner will come from that division again this season. One of the favorites on NHL lines are the Nashville Predators, and they will begin their season at home to the Carolina Panthers on Thursday night.

Hurricanes @ Predators: NHL Odds and Game Preview

Date: Thursday, October 08, 2015 Time: 8:00PM Venue: Bridgestone Arena Opening Line: Nashville -125

Say it with us: GAME DAY. #CARvsNSH >>> http://t.co/OtBL2L8O8v pic.twitter.com/oHENA5x8hS

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) October 8, 2015

The Predators were far and away the hottest team through the first half of the season in the last campaign, but they fell off a little in the second half. They also were a little roughed up in the playoffs, which is why they added a little toughness to the line-up this time around. The Predators are a team that can score in bunches, and if they can add a little bit of an edge to their game, they might well be very tough to beat this year. They are likely to be the top challengers to the Blackhawks in the division, and they really shouldn’t have a problem locking up a playoff spot in a division that might once again send 5 teams to the postseason. If you are looking for someone to add to your fantasy hockey team this season, I would take a serious look at Pekka Rinne. There is an awful lot of work to be done in Carolina before the Hurricanes will ever get a sniff at a playoff position. They have key players like Eric Staal and Cam Ward heading into contract years, which may mean they end up being dealt before the season is up if their contracts do not make financial sense. There has to be a temptation to blow this whole team up and start fresh, and there will be some new faces on the team to start the year. Noah Hanifin, the top pick in the draft for the Canes, will make his first NHL start on Thursday, and the hope is that he will add a little bit of solidity to a defensive group that was more than a little shaky last season.

Key Betting Trends

Carolina is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games Carolina is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road Carolina is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Nashville Carolina is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Nashville The total has gone OVER in 4 of Carolina’s last 5 games when playing on the road against Nashville Nashville is 2-10 SU in its last 12 games The total has gone OVER in 5 of Nashville’s last 6 games Nashville is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home The total has gone OVER in 5 of Nashville’s last 5 games at home Nashville is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Carolina

Consider This Before Placing Your Bets

It’s always nice to start the season on home ice, and it’s even better when the team coming to town is on that is expected to struggle. This is a real opportunity for the Predators to light things up and send a bit of a message to the rest of the Central Division, and it’s one I think they’ll take.