The Nashville Predators wrap up a five game home stand with a tilt against a Stanley Cup favorite coming off an embarrassing loss. That’s the Reader’s Digest version of the storyline of tonight’s Predators / Kings game. The Kings are coming to the end of a road-heavy early schedule, playing six of their first eight on the road, wrapping it up in Nashville tonight before heading home to Staples Center. Nashville is looking to build off of the momentum of a modest two game win streak. A win tonight would put the Predators above .500 for the first time this young season.
This is the first of three meetings between these two teams this season, two of them inside the friendly confines of Bridgestone Arena, and it is a game that will give Pred Nation an idea of how much the Predators have improved over this home stand. Seven goals in the past two games was a good sign, Craig Smith returning to rookie year form is another, the offensively activated defense will give opponents fits if continued.
It should be a matchup of Olympic goaltenders, Jonathan Quick for the Kings (and Team USA) and Pekka Rinne for the Preds (and Team Finland.) Both goaltenders are off to mediocre starts with higher than normal GAA’s and lower than normal save percentages. At least the Preds won’t have to worry about Jonathan Bernier as he has already done his damage last week.
The Predators are coming off of a game that has been accurately described as “sloppy” by head coach Barry Trotz, but a win is a win and good teams win games that they don’t play their best in. LA is a team that will make Nashville pay for any sloppiness they bring forward to tonight’s game.
Game time is 7pm… coverage on 102.5 the Game, the Predators Radio Network and Fox Sports Tennessee. Limited tickets remain and tonight is College Night.
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Random Notes
- Seth Jones’ play is causing Team USA to take a serious look at the youngster for the Sochi games. He does have some solid international experience.
- After three games against the east, Nashville will get back to the west… Nine of their next ten games are against the Western Conference. Through last night’s games, the West is dominating Eastern Conference teams so far, posting a 30-11-4 record.
- Another night… another controversial head shot in a nationally televised game. This time it’s the Capitals Troy Brouwer on the Rangers Derek Stepan.
- Expect to see Tim Thomas in the lineup for Florida tonight against his old team as the Panthers host Boston.
- A busy Thursday with 24 teams in action – 6pm starts… Canucks @ Sabres, Hurricanes @ Leafs, Oilers @ Islanders, Penguins @ Flyers. 6:30 starts – Blue Jackets @ Canadiens, Devils @ Senators, Wild @ Lightning, Bruins @ Panthers. 7pm starts – Blues @ Blackhawks, Kings @ Predators. 7:30pm start Sharks @ Stars. 8pm start – Red Wings @ Avalanche
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