The Nashville are earning crucial points in the Western Conference playoff chase with some inspiring play and a little luck. The Coyotes haven't been so fortunate.

Nashville Predators looks to continue its solid play this month when it hosts the slumping Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday night at Sommet Center

GAME: Phoenix Coyotes (27-29-3-2) at Nashville Predators (29-28-1-3)
DATE/TIME: Thursday, February 26 - 8:00 PM EST
LINE: 130, -150 TOTAL: 5.5
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Oddsmakers currently have the Predators listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Coyotes, while the game's total is sitting at 5½.

The Coyotes (27-29-5) had a strong offensive showing in the opener of their three-game road trip, beating Los Angeles 6-3 on Saturday. While they didn't match that effort Tuesday against the Blues, the talk after the game was more about their defensive play.

Shane Doan potted the lone marker for Phoenix in its 2-1 loss to St. Louis on Tuesday night.

St. Louis cashed as -165 home favorites as the game played under the 5.5-goal total posted by sportsbooks.

The Predators (29-28-4) won a season-high four straight to start the month and are 8-4-1 in February after going 4-8-0 last month. They've earned a point in their last three games (2-0-1) to inch closer to a playoff spot in the West, where fifth place and 10th place are separated by three points.

Nashville is coming off impressive back-to-back wins. On Saturday night in St. Louis, Shea Weber's shot somehow trickled into the net 2:36 into overtime to give the Predators a 1-0 victory.

Joel Ward scored the winner in the third period, as the Predators defeated the Blackhawks 5-3 on Tuesday night.

Nashville won as +140 home underdogs as the game played over the 5.5-goal total set by sportsbooks.
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Current streak:
Nashville has won 2 straight games.

Team records:
Phoenix: 27-29-5
Nashville: 29-28-4

Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Chicago are 4-6
After playing St. Louis are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7

Nashville most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 8-2
After playing Chicago are 6-4
After a win are 5-5

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Phoenix's last 7 games when playing on the road against Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Phoenix's last 11 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Phoenix's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 6 games on the road
Nashville is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Nashville's last 7 games when playing at home against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Nashville's last 11 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 18 of Nashville's last 25 games at home
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