posted March 28, 2008 at 15:55 in NHL Articles

The Nashville Predators are the bubble team in the West, making every game huge for the Preds as they look to continue their dominance this evening on the road over the Columbus Blue Jackets, and lurking inside is a money-making play for NHL betting enthusiasts.

The Preds are in ninth place in the conference, just two points behind Vancouver for the conference’s final postseason berth, as they attempt to reach the playoffs for the fourth straight season.

Nashville won all eight meetings with Columbus in 2006-07. The Preds have won six of seven this season, losing in a shootout in their last trip to Nationwide Arena on Jan. 12.

Nashville has collected at least a point against the Blue Jackets in 15 straight games. If the Preds are to earn another in the final meeting of the year with Columbus, Dan Ellis needs to continue his strong play in net.

Ellis, who looks to lead Nashville to a third straight win, made his seventh straight start Tuesday and had 36 saves for his fifth career shutout in a 3-0 victory over the team he'll again face tonight.

Key NHL wagering trends:

- Predators are 6-2 in their last 8 Friday games.

- Predators are 8-3 in their last 11 vs. Central.

- Predators are 5-1 in their last 6 games playing on 2 days rest.

- Predators are 54-25 in their last 79 vs. a team with a losing record.

Columbus responded to the loss to Nashville with a 4-0 win over Chicago on Wednesday. Goalie Fredrik Norrena stopped 17 shots and the Blue Jackets added three goals in the final period to end a three-game skid.

Norrena has made nine career appearances (eight starts) against Nashville and has a record of 0-7 with a 2.94 GAA.

Key to victory in this game for Columbus is the play of Rick Nash, who has a career-high 67 points in 2008, but none against Nashville. He’s gone 10 consecutive games against the Preds without a point.

In his career, Nash has eight goals and seven assists that's good for 15 points versus Nashville.

The Blue Jackets have posted only 11 goals in this campaign’s first seven matchups, although Tuesday’s loss was the first time they faced Ellis.

- Blue Jackets are 2-5 in their last 7 vs. Central.

- Blue Jackets are 6-15 in their last 21 vs. Western Conference.

- Blue Jackets are 6-2 in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.

- Blue Jackets are 19-43 in their last 62 vs. a team with a losing record.

BetUS NHL odds lists Nashville the slight -120 money-line favorites and -1½ +215 on the spread with a game total of 5 over -125.

- Predators are 96-45 in their last 141 games as a favorite.

- Predators are 4-0 in their last 4 games as a road favorite.

- Predators are 7-3 in their last 10 games as a favorite of -110 to -150.

Analysis: Columbus is a solid 20-12-7 at Nationwide Arena but only 4-9 in their last 13 games on home ice. It's hard to not support a Nashville team that's suiting up a hot goalie that needs wins to reach the playoffs with the regular-season winding down.

The Preds are 25-6 in the last 31 meetings as the dominance continues in this one.

NHL Free Picks: Nashville Predators -120

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