Nashville Predators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 4/10/2022

Time: 4 p.m. ET

Venue: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA

Where to watch: TNT

DraftKings: Penguins -180, Predators +155

BetMGM: Penguins -185, Predators +155

Caesars: Penguins -175, Predators +155

Predators: 41-26-4

Penguins: 41-22-10

We've reached the point in the season where the games in the NHL calendar are starting to tighten up. Teams are starting to catch up with games in hand and having to play many games in many days to make it happen.

And as it stands, the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins are in different realms of the standings in their respective conferences, both coming off losses on Saturday and in need of some points to keep pace.

For Nashville, it's rather simple. After getting run out of its own building Saturday against the Florida Panthers -- no shame in that, mind you -- the Predators lead by only two points for the first wild card in the Western Conference ahead of the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights. Juuse Saros got lit up like a Christmas tree in less than 25 shots.

"We needed more tonight," Predators coach John Hynes said. "I felt we just played the game. I didn't think our competitive level was where it needed to be. I didn't think our pace and speed was what it needed to be. I thought our execution with the puck needed to be better.

Needing more from a John Hynes-coached team is almost comical, but there's only so much that a group that depends on Roman Josi and Filip Forsberg can do. That team will not last long in the playoffs if it does not give Saros some help in front. Get some help for that goalie that has carried your carcass defensively for the better part of the season, especially if you're playing Calgary or Colorado in the first round ... if you even make it, that is.

Meanwhile, the Penguins are in a bit of desperation in of itself, losing its fourth straight game in a 6-3 loss to the Washington Capitals. Despite the fact Evgeni Malkin recorded his 700th NHL assist, Tristan Jarry did what he could to make 39 saves but nothing more to help.

"Tonight, for me, was a different story than some of the other games," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "Tonight, we just weren't good enough. We didn't play well enough. We didn't execute. We were careless with the puck. So tonight, we beat ourselves in a lot of ways." 

The Penguins, currently sitting in third in the Metropolitan Division, are now eight points back of the New York Rangers. Barring an epic collapse by those on Broadway, the Rangers will lock that up or continue to catch up to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Penguins do not have it in their arsenal to catch up to either at the moment.

When talking about two teams that combined to give up 10 goals the night before, goaltending will of course rule the day here. In a projected battle between David Rittich and Casey DeSmith, I like the latter who has played well. Rittich has the ability to turn into a pumpkin at any given moment and I can't trust him to win a big game. Even if his nickname is Big Game Dave. On this night, however, we'll get something along the lines of Big Game DeSmith or something stupid like that. Penguins win 4-2

Predators are 22-12 when playing their second game in five days this season.

Penguins are 37-22 in non-conference games the last three seasons.

Penguins are 22-8 the last three seasons when revenging a loss when they scored one goal or less.

Predators:

Filip Forsberg -- Ryan Johansen -- Philip Tomasino

Eeli Tolvanen -- Mikael Granlund -- Matt Duchene

Yakov Trenin -- Colton Sissons -- Tanner Jeannot

Nick Cousins -- Luke Kunin -- Matt Luff

Roman Josi -- Dante Fabbro

Mattias Ekholm -- Alexandre Carrier

Mark Borowiecki -- Jeremy Lauzon

David Rittich

Penguins:

Jake Guentzel -- Evgeni Malkin -- Bryan Rust

Rickard Rakell -- Jeff Carter -- Evan Rodrigues

Danton Heinen -- Teddy Blueger -- Kasperi Kapanen

Filip Hallander -- Brian Boyle -- Anthony Angello

Brian Dumoulin -- Kris Letang

Mike Matheson -- Chad Ruhwedel

Marcus Pettersson -- Mark Friedman

Casey DeSmith

Points: Roman Josi -- 87

Goals: Filip Forsberg -- 38

Assists: Roman Josi -- 68

Goalie: Juuse Saros -- 35-22-3, 2.55 GAA, .921 SV%

Points: Sidney Crosby -- 72

Goals: Jake Guentzel -- 33

Assists: Kris Letang -- 54

Goalie: Tristan Jarry -- 33-18-6, 2.41 GAA, .919 SV%