Nashville Predators vs Carolina Hurricanes Prediction, 12/19/2021 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Nashville Predators vs Carolina Hurricanes

Date: Sunday, December 19, 2021

Location: PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC

TV: Bally Sports South

David Rittich and the Nashville Predators (18-10-1) are headed to PNC Arena on Sunday where they'll take on the Carolina Hurricanes (20-7-1).

The Nashville Predators had a good night with a 5-2 win over the Avalanche in their previous contest. The Predators had a good offensive performance and it was apparent in this victory. In the matchup, they finished 5 of the 35 shots they looked to score on. Furthermore, they had 5 power play tries and notched 2 goals. Nashville earned 10 penalty mins for this matchup.

The Predators have had 857 shots attempted against them and hold a save percentage of .910. When at even strength, the Predators have allowed 57 goals while earning 65 on the offensive side of the ice. Nashville Predators opponents have 92 power play tries (5th in pro hockey) and have come away with 20 goals in those attempts. For the current campaign, they have 37 points and their points percentage sits at .638. Nashville has taken 868 shots and has a shooting percentage of 9.8%. When discussing their scoring capabilities, the Nashville Predators have earned 85 goals (13th in hockey) so far this year and have conceded 77. Nashville is sitting with 81 power play chances and they have scored 20 goals during those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 24.69%.

The player guarding the cage in this matchup is David Rittich. Opponents have notched 357 goals against Rittich in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 2.83. Rittich has played in 139 games during his pro hockey career. His save percentage is .906 for his 7,560 minutes on the ice. He has accumulated a win-loss mark of 67-41-16 and he has gotten the start in 125 games. In his career, Rittich has compiled 68 quality starts and his percentage for quality starts is .544. Rittich has had 3,808 shot attempts against him and he has 3,451 total saves.

When they were on the ice last, Carolina went up against the Red Wings in a game where the Hurricanes got the win by a final of 5-3. They had 1 power play chance in this matchup and recorded 1 goal on that try. The Hurricanes converted 5 goals out of the 33 shots on goal they took.

The Hurricanes are sitting with 72 goals at even strength and 18 goals (10th in the NHL) while on the power play. Carolina has attempted 923 shots (12th in professional hockey) and has accumulated a shot percentage of 9.75%, while allowing their opponents 754 shots. For the season, the Carolina Hurricanes have tallied 90 goals, 41 points, and a points percentage of .732. They have recorded 84 power play chances and they have earned a power play rate of 21.43%. They have earned a penalty kill percentage of 88.35% on their opponents 103 chances on the power play, and their save percentage sits at 91.9%. They have granted a total of 61 goals to be scored by way of 49 goals at even strength and 12 goals while they had less men on the ice.

On the other side of the ice you are going to see Frederik Andersen protecting the goal. Andersen is sitting with a lifetime record of 241-105-48 and has participated in 413 games. Andersen's quality start percentage is 57.1% and he has made 229 quality starting assignments in his NHL career. He has accounted for 11,274 saves out of the 12,310 shots attempted, which gives him a save % of .916. His opposition is averaging 2.61 goals per game and he has conceded 1,036 goals in total. He got the starting nod in 401 games and his ice time sits at 23,783 mins.

Who will win tonight's hockey game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Nashville

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