On Tuesday, the Anaheim Ducks travel to Nashville to face the Predators at Bridgestone Arena at 8:00 PM ET, streamed on ESPN+. Anaheim enters at 2-2-1, while Nashville is 2-2-2. The Ducks are looking to snap a two-game losing skid, and the Predators are trying to halt a three-game losing streak. Skate to an edge with NHL picks for the Anaheim Ducks at the Nashville Predators.
Anaheim Ducks Look to Rebound on the Road
Anaheim comes into this matchup at 2-2-1 overall and 1-1-1 on the road. The Ducks are averaging 2.80 goals per game while allowing 3.60, with a team shooting rate of 33.0 shots per night. The power play has been effective to open the season, converting at a rate of 25.0%, while the penalty kill has not been the best but above average at 76.9%. Leo Carlsson leads Anaheim with six points (two goals, four assists), and Chris Kreider has been the team’s top goal scorer, netting four goals, including three on the power play.
Lukas Dostal has handled most of the goaltending work, posting a 1-2-1 record with a 3.02 GAA and a .898 save percentage. Dostal has kept Anaheim competitive despite a weak defense that has left him facing many shots in several games. The Ducks’ defense remains a work in progress, allowing 28.2 shots per game, while a high number of penalty minutes have tested the penalty kill too often.
Anaheim’s latest game ended in a 2-1 overtime loss to Chicago on Sunday. Mason McTavish tied the game late with a power-play goal, but Ryan Donato’s overtime goal handed the Ducks their second straight defeat. The Ducks took 36 shots and went 1-for-5 on the power play. Dostal made 28 saves in the loss. Before that, Anaheim fell 4-1 to Carolina and beat Pittsburgh 4-3. They’ll look to recover against a Nashville team that has also struggled to win games to start the season.
Injuries:
Ryan Strome (C) – IR, expected return Oct 31 Jansen Harkins (C) – IR, expected return Nov 22 Nashville Predators Aim to Stop Skid at Home
Nashville is 2-2-2 and has dropped three straight, though the Predators are 1-0-1 at home. The team is scoring 2.50 goals per game and allowing 3.17. Erik Haula leads with four points (two goals, two assists), while Roman Josi has three assists, two of which have come on the power play. Nashville is a poor 8.7% on the power play, but an exceptional 83.3% on the penalty kill.
Goalie Juuse Saros remains the backbone of the team, with a .919 save percentage and a 2.35 goals-against average in five starts. Despite solid play in net, Saros has faced inconsistent support from his blue line. The Predators are allowing 29.3 shots per game and have spent 49 minutes in the penalty box through six contests, which can be costly given their recent struggles generating offense.
On Saturday, Nashville fell 4-1 to Winnipeg. Michael Bunting scored the Predators’ only goal in the final minute, while Saros stopped 20 of 24 shots. The Predators were outshot 11-3 in the opening period and trailed 2-0 after the first. Despite dominating the second period with a 17-4 shot advantage, they couldn’t capitalize. The loss followed a 3-2 overtime defeat to Montreal and a 7-4 loss to Toronto, both on the road. Nashville’s last win came a week ago in Ottawa, where it posted a strong 4-1 victory.
Injuries:
Jonathan Marchessault (RW) – Day-to-Day, expected return Oct 21 Nicolas Hague (D) – IR, expected return Oct 23 Anaheim Ducks at Nashville Predators PickSpread Pick for Ducks vs. Predators  Anaheim Ducks +1.5 (4 Units)
Anaheim has been competitive in nearly every game, with four of five games decided by two goals or fewer. The Ducks’ balanced scoring and strong power play provide them an advantage against a Nashville squad that has struggled to score on even strength as well as on the power play. Dostal’s play in net keeps Anaheim competitive each night, and especially against a Predators offense averaging only 2.5 goals per game. With Carlsson and Kreider leading the attack, a power play and penalty kill that are both improving, Anaheim’s ability to maintain puck possession in the attack zone makes the +1.5 puckline a solid bet. Nashville’s limited output on attack and recent trend of posting low-scoring games will result in another disappointing game for the Predators.
Over/Under Pick for Ducks vs. Predators
This matchup features two teams relying on goaltending while both offenses search for answers. Anaheim has combined for just four goals in its last two games, and Nashville has scored six in its last three. The Ducks have improved defensively over the past two contests, holding opponents to three or fewer goals in both, and Dostal has posted a save percentage near .900 despite facing a high number of shots. Saros, with a 2.35 GAA, consistently gives Nashville a chance to win even with limited goal support. With both teams’ goals for averages of less than 3.00 and spending time on the penalty kill, the pace should be far from up-tempo, resulting in the total finishing under.
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