Avalanche vs. Predators Prediction and Odds for Game 3 (Expect Another Defensive Slugfest)

After a 2-1 overtime victory on Thursday, the Colorado Avalanche hold a 2-0 lead as the series moves to Nashville at 4:30 PM EST today.

Nashville won three straight over Colorado in the regular season but have their backs against the wall in Game 3 of this NHL Playoffs First Round matchup. The Avalanche are heavy favorites over at WynnBET Sportsbook to win the Stanley Cup (+240), so the Predators need to pull off a miracle to keep their hopes alive.

Connor Ingram is expected to draw the start in goal for Nashville and he was exceptional in the first postseason start of his career in Game 2. Ingram stopped an obscene 49 shots from the Avalanche but ultimately fell short in overtime.

Can the Predators pull out a victory with their backs against the wall or will Colorado keep rolling?

Let's check out the odds from WynnBET to help pick a winner in this Avalanche vs Predators Game 3 matchup:

Avalanche vs Predators Odds, Puck Line and Total

Puck Line:

• Avalanche -1.5 (+110)
• Predators +1.5 (-130)

Moneyline:

• Avalanche: -245
• Predators: +195

Total:

• 6.5 (Over -120/Under +100)

Avalanche vs Predators Prediction and Pick

Thursday's game felt like an insurmountable gut punch for Nashville. Connor Ingram was phenomenal in goal, stopping 49 shots, but the Predators' offense couldn't give him the necessary support in a 2-1 overtime loss.

The Game 3 loss gave the Predators their sixth in seven games, and now they're in as close to a must-win contest as it gets. Nashville doesn't have the firepower to keep up with the mighty Avalanche, so I expect a defensive-oriented game plan to keep things close in hopes of stealing a win at home.

But Colorado is better than the Predators at every level and their advanced stats back that up. The Avalanche have the superior offense, defense, and goaltenders. That being said, I was thoroughly impressed by Ingram's performance. He's back in net for Game Three and his .961 save percentage on Thursday was utterly ridiculous.

With Ingram's performance and the Avalanche's superior defense, I love the value on the under here. It's 6-2 in Colorado's last eight as a road favorite and they limited the Predators to three goals total in the first two games of this series.

We can't forget that the Avalanche aren't the same team on the road, either. In their last five away from home, they're averaging only 1.8 goals per contest. I think they win, but I'm not willing to pay such a hefty price against a desperate Nashville squad, so I'll instead stick with the bet I love: the under.

Pick: Under 6.5 (+100)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.