Nashville Predators vs. Pittsburgh Penguins Game 5 Odds, NHL Betting Pick

The Pittsburgh Penguins will attempt to keep the home team perfect in the Stanley Cup Final as they host the Nashville Predators as solid chalk in a pivotal Game 5 on Thursday. The Predators have rebounded from a 2-0 deficit, winning the last two games by a combined score of 9-2 to even the series at 2-2.

Betting line: The Penguins opened as -139 favorites (wager $139 to win $100); the total is at 5.5 goals, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Line updates and matchup report.

NHL betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 3.4-2.0, Predators (NHL picks on every game)

Why the Predators can pay on the NHL lines

Nashville has the momentum heading back to Pittsburgh, scoring eight goals on opposing goaltender Matt Murray in the last two games at home after totaling four in the first two on the road.

More importantly, goalie Pekka Rinne has bounced back nicely from a pair of shaky efforts for the Preds early on by allowing only one goal apiece in the past two. Rinne still has a shot to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, but he must find a way to win on the road to do that and take home the Cup, whether it be in Game 5 or 7.

Why the Penguins can pay on the NHL lines

The Penguins are a confident bunch as the defending Stanley Cup champs and lost Game 5 at home a year ago against the San Jose Sharks before closing them out in six on the road. You can bet they do not want to repeat that scenario again, especially because this time around the Predators would have a chance to close them out at home.

With the series tied 2-2, Pittsburgh obviously has the benefit of home-ice advantage in two of the last three games, which is a huge confidence booster considering how big an impact that has had on the series so far heading into Game 5.

Smart betting pick

It is hard to go against the home team's unbeaten record in this series, particularly because the host has also won all four so far by two goals or more. The line has been very good to bettors riding that trend in the Stanley Cup final, but don't expect another blowout in this spot. This will be a one-goal game, with the under the best wager after cashing in two of the last three.

NHL betting trends

Nashville is 2-5 in its last seven games on the road.

Nashville is 4-10 in its last 14 games against Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh is 5-0 in its last five games at home.

All NHL lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.