The 2022-23 NHL season is officially upon us.
The new year opened Friday with the Nashville Predators’ 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks in the NHL Global Series at the O2 Arena in Prague. The clubs will then face off again Saturday in the Czech Republic capital before heading home next week.
Here’s a look at the best bets for Saturday’s game.
Predators vs Sharks Odds
All NHL odds are current as of Saturday, Oct. 8, at 10 a.m. ET.
Predators vs Sharks Predictions
Best Bet: Under 6 Goals (-106) at FanDuel Sportsbook
Wager: 1 Unit
This is the second of a back-to-back that will close a lengthy journey for each side in Europe. You can bet each team is tired and dying to get home, which means the intensity in the second game might not be the same as the season-opener.
Plus, the Predators still are in goal-suppression mode with goalie Juuse Saros and defenseman Roman Josi.
All that means expect a close, low-scoring game, that will probably end 3-2 or 2-1.
Will There Be Overtime: Yes (+330) at FanDuel Sportsbook
Wager: 0.5 Units
As referenced above, I think this will be a tight, low-scoring game.
Even though Game 1 was lopsided, and both sides are tired, you’d think San Jose will try to do whatever it takes to leave Europe with one point. That means trying to get to OT.
It might be easier said than done. But given the likely sleepy start from Nashville too, and again the second of a back-to-back, extra time is far more likely Saturday than it was Friday.
Roman Josi Over 0.5 Points (-150) at Caesars Sportsbook
Wager: 1 Unit
Josi is coming off a 96-point season but was held off the scoresheet in Nashville’s season opener. Don’t expect the superstar Predators defenseman to be held down in two straight.
Here’s a glimpse at predictions from the season opener
Best Bet: Predators -1.5 (+130) at Caesars Sportsbook
Wager: 1 Unit
The Sharks have missed the playoffs in three straight seasons and are stuck between a rebuild and having a bunch of high-cost veterans under long-term contracts.
San Jose has a rookie general manager, Mike Grier, and a first-year coach, David Quinn, who is tasked with enacting a new system while also starting the regular season almost a full week ahead of the competition.
Plus, the Predators are solid. They’ve made the playoffs in each of coach John Hynes‘ four seasons behind the bench, and are led by arguably the best defenseman in hockey Roman Josi, (+750 Norris Trophy on FanDuel, tied for the second-shortest preseason odds), newly acquired veteran blueliner Ryan McDonagh and elite goalie Juuse Saros (+1000 for Vezina Trophy on FanDuel, third-shortest odds).
Nashville also has a great top-6 forward group that includes free agent acquisition Nino Niederreiter, who scored 24 goals with the Carolina Hurricanes a year ago, and Matt Duchene and Filip Forsberg, who each surpassed 80 points during the 2021-22 season.
If you’re nervous about laying a goal-plus in a game played abroad, keep in mind that 16 of the previous 34 (47 percent) games played overseas were decided by more than a goal. Nashville should be much better than San Jose and should be trusted to win by two or more.
Predators To Win in 60 Minutes (-128) at Caesars Sportsbook
If you aren’t comfortable trusting Nashville to win by two-plus, this is a good hedge. The odds aren’t overwhelmingly profitable, but they’re solid enough given the likelihood that the Predators win in regulation.
Roman Josi: Anytime Goal Scorer (+330) at FanDuel
The Global Series has been something of a homecoming for Josi, who scored twice in his hometown of Bern, Switzerland in Nashville’s Global Series Challenge win over SC Bern on Monday. Josi has led the Predators in points each of the past three seasons, and popped in 23 goals in 2021-22.
Look for him to find the back of the net in the opener.
