The Predators are back home for one game after having their win streak snapped on Thursday night. It may only be one game; but it’s a whopper… a potential playoff preview as the Chicago Blackhawks come to town. Tonight will complete the season series between these two teams. The Blackhawks are locked into a pitched battle with Minnesota for the division title, trailing the Wild by a single point, the only problem for Chicago is the two games in hand that the Wild hold over them.
The Blackhawks have been on a tear, going 9-1-0 in their last ten and are coming in tonight off a win at the United Center last night. Nashville has been on a bit of a roll lately as well, 6-3-1 in their last ten and filling the net quite nicely until Thursday… a quick word on the Montreal game… That is the kind of game I was talking about, when I referred to the offensive output covering for the defensive play. When the offense dries up, you have to count on the defense. It is still a work in progress for the team, but the runway for fixing it is growing shorter.
The response to Thursday’s loss is a big question for Nashville, dropping a game with less than ten seconds on the clock hurts… I will be watching the first 5-10 minutes very closely to see how this team comes out. An advantage for Nashville is that the Blackhawks are on the back half of a back-to-back.
The battle in net? Rinne vs. Crawford is the assumption, as Scott Darling was injured yesterday and Corey Crawford was in net, the Hawks recalled Jeff Glass from Rockford . It’s a very even matchup in net as both goaltenders have equal GAA’s of 2.54… Rinne’s save % is .914, Crawford’s is .919, each goaltender has posted 25 wins so far this season.
Speaking of injuries… we have no information on Ryan Ellis, who left Thursday’s game with a lower-body injury. I would expect an update after day-of-game skate.
It’s just your typical Saturday night at Bridgestone Arena with the Blackhawks in town, the District will have outstanding beer sales starting at about 10am… and will continue until closing tonight. Expect a playoff atmosphere at Bridgestone Arena as the bandwagon will definitely be in town. Game time is 7pm CT, coverage on the Predators Radio Network gets started with pregame at 6pm on the Predators flagship, 102.5 the Game, pregame on Fox Sports Tennessee gets going at 6:30pm. Game coverage begins on both media at 7pm.
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Random Notes
- Where We Stand – After yesterday’s play, the Nashville Predators have 73 points in 64 games played and remain 3rd in the Central Division, leading St. Louis by six points. The Blues have a game in hand on Nashville. Per sportsclubstats.com, the Predators playoff chances are at 89.5%
- Frosty streak on the line… Wendy’s has been giving out free Frostys for seven consecutive home games… that’s a franchise record.
- The 23 man roster limit is no longer in effect and Nashville is carrying 25 as of this morning.
- Wondering if we see the debut of PA Parenteau tonight, he did join the team in Montreal but was a scratch.
- The Predators head west after tonight's game, three games in California comprise the week.
- The Blackhawks have won their last seven straight road games, outscoring their opponents 33-16 in that span. They are also 8-2-1 on the back half of a back-to-back.
- Ten games in the NHL tonight, all times CST – 6pm – COL @ WPG, NJD @ BOS, MTL @ NYR, TBL @ BUF, DAL @ FLA, CBJ @ OTT. 6:30pm – PHI @ WSH. 7pm – CHI @ NSH. 9pm – VAN @ LAK. 9:30pm – DET @ EDM.
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