Standings & Form

Nashville currently sits 21st in the NHL standings with a record of 37-34-8, accumulating 84 points. Their recent form, marked by wins in three of the last five games (WLWWL), suggests a slight upward trend. Meanwhile, San Jose holds the 24th spot at 37-35-6 with 81 points and a patchy recent record of LLWLW, indicating some inconsistency as they try to close the gap.

Defensive Structure

Defensively, Nashville has allowed 212 goals through 79 games, averaging about 2.69 goals against per game. San Jose’s defense has been more porous, conceding 236 goals in 78 outings, a rate of roughly 3.03 goals per game. This difference in defensive sturdiness could be a deciding factor, especially in a matchup where both teams are similarly matched offensively.

Scoring Rates & OT Records

Offensively, Nashville has netted 194 goals, slightly outpacing San Jose’s 187. Both teams have shown resilience in overtime with Nashville holding an 8 OT loss record and San Jose 6, indicating competitive play beyond regulation. However, Nashville’s ability to close out games might edge them ahead in tight situations.

Game Prediction

Given the Predators' better defensive numbers and a slightly stronger recent run, they appear favored to take this game at home. The expert consensus and AI predictions align on Nashville winning, with odds around 1.65 to 1.75, reflecting their marginal edge in both structure and form. San Jose will need to tighten up defensively to challenge effectively on the road.