The season series for the Nashville Predators and the Boston Bruins begins tonight, and ends next Tuesday in Beantown. It’s an important game for both teams as Boston is trying to get their act together on the road, a win tonight will give the Bruins a .500 record away from home this season, the Predators are trying to avoid back-to-back losses for the first time this season and hope to keep pace in the Central as they come into tonight’s game third in the division, three points behind first place Chicago.
It is the final home game before the NHL’s three day Christmas break for Nashville. After tonight the team has a few days off until their next game. The team will do some community outings and enjoy their annual Christmas gathering before heading off on a three game roadie that takes the Predators to St. Paul, Columbus and Boston.
Boston comes into tonight’s game struggling a bit, going 3-5-2 in their last ten and 1-4-1 in their last six. Their power play is misfiring, going 1-21 over their past 12 games. The Bruins are starting to get healthier with the recent return of Zdeno Chara and the pending return of David Krejci who has joined the team on this road trip. Krejic participated in a full practice yesterday but is still listed on IR as of this writing.
Nashville is coming off a successful road trip with a bitter after taste. Getting four out of six possible points on the last roadie was good, but that 2-0 loss to San Jose still seems to sting a bit as it was a subject of discussion at yesterday’s practice. The other hot topic at practice? Faceoffs. Multiple players talked about it and to their credit… took accountability for improving in this area… no one was using the absence of faceoff ace Paul Gaustad as an excuse. They will be challenged tonight as Boston is top five in faceoff wins in the league.
Between the pipes it should be a Finnish showdown with Tuukka Rask in net for the Bruins and Pekka Rinne, two excellent goaltenders that could really put on a show. Rask is not quite where we have been used to seeing him, fairly pedestrian numbers for him so far this season, Rinne is well… Rinne. Leading the league in wins, save percentage and goals against, top five in minutes, shutouts and games played.
Game time is 7pm, very limited tickets remain. Coverage on Fox Sports Tennessee, 102.5 the Game and the Predators Radio Network. Pregame starts at 6:30pm on both TV and radio.
Here’s the preview, from NHL.com
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Random Notes
- A win for Nashville tonight will be GM David Poile’s 1171st victory as an NHL GM, placing him all alone at 2nd on the all-time GM win list. He will pass former Bruin GM Harry Sindin on that list.
- Road to the NHL Winter Classic premiers tonight on Epix. If you are on DirecTV, you are out of luck… but since you have a computer (or tablet, or smartphone) you can watch it online for free. Starts tonight at 9pm central.
- Is there a bigger mess in the NHL then the situation in Edmonton? After the bizarre press conference, more losses came and the inevitable firing of Dallas Eakins, and now, the leaks of information that Taylor Hall is uncoachable??? Please… clear out the whole front office and start over.
- Camps for World Juniors teams are opening for the tournament that begins on 12/26 in Toronto and Montreal. The US Team is gathering in Boston with 30 invitees including Preds prospect, blueliner Jack Dougherty. The US is looking to keep their string of success at this tournament going as they have medaled in three of the last five years.
- A lot of eyes will be on Jack Eichel in the US camp. The BU freshman is expected to be at or near the top of the 2015 draft class.
- Speaking of all eyes… it does look like Connor McDavid will be able to participate as he is practicing with Team Canada at their camp in St. Catharines, Ontario. McDavid, who many expect to be the top choice in the 2015 draft is hoping to play in one of Team Canada’s exhibition games next week.
- Y’know… you have to wonder if Buffalo fans are happy or not at the run the Sabres are on. They have effectively played their way out of the Connor McDavid/Jack Eichel sweepstakes with a truly amazing run, 7-3-0 in their last ten and four straight wins after last night’s shootout win over Ottawa. They are now 11 points clear of the league basement.
- Eleven games tonight – Lightning @ Flyers, Ducks @ Maple Leafs, Hurricanes @ Canadiens, Blue Jackets @ Red Wings, Capitals @ Panthers, Kings @ Blues, Bruins @ Predators, Sabres @ Jets, Wild @ Blackhawks, Rangers @ Flames, Oilers @ Coyotes.
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