The Predators conclude a less than stellar road trip in Los Angeles tonight with a conference showdown against the surprising LA Kings. A new coach has breathed new life into this team as new head coach John Stevens has this Kings team playing well and (gasp!) having a little fun!
The Kings have been battling for Pacific supremacy with the Vegas Golden Knights, another Pacific Division shocker, but have fallen off the pace a bit lately as the Knights have opened up a five point lead on LA. That happens when you go 4-4-2 over the last 10. It’s a familiar refrain to Pred Nation as it matches Nashville’s last 10 record.
Both teams are coming off losses they would like to forget, LA to Calgary, Nashville to Arizona.
A key to tonight’s game for Nashville will be to get it done in regulation. The Kings are masters of the extra frame, leading the league in overtime wins since the NHL went to the 3 on 3 format. They are 29-12 in OT for a 71% win percentage.
Nashville is still learning how to play without Filip Forsberg, his upper body injury has the Preds star forward out until at least the All-Star break. Forsberg’s injury has allowed opponents to focus their top defensive attention on the FIST line and the effect has been powerful. Getting Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson on track would help. Johansen does need to take the shot a little bit more, doing that will open up opportunities for his wingers. You can almost see defenses anticipating the pass from Johansen, giving them a critical step toward the passing lane or shot lane. A few more shots from the Preds 1C will stop that tendency in it’s tracks.
Expect a goaltending battle tonight as well… Pekka Rinne vs. Jonathan Quick… two all-star caliber goalies having great seasons. Game time is 9:30 central… pregame gets going on 102.5 the Game at 8:30pm… Fox Sports Tennessee’s coverage begins at 9pm.
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“Where We Stand” update… a daily tracking of where the Preds are in the standings and the games that impact them most. Brought to you by Mark Lonsway, the real estate professional for hockey fans.
After last night’s play, the Predators stand third in the Central Division, three points behind Winnipeg (2 GIH) and two points behind St. Louis (3 GIH) … the Preds lead Dallas by three points (2 GIH) and Minnesota by five points (1 GIH.)
Impact games tonight (all time Central) – 2pm - Edmonton @ Dallas. 8pm – Minnesota @ Colorado.
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Random Notes
- I like the quotes coming out of practice yesterday, especially from Scott Hartnell, showing the kind of veteran leadership and presence that helps a team like this.
- After a 16-2-2 stretch, the Preds are 2-4-2 in their last eight games. 18-6-4 over their last 28… I’ll take that every day. Do that in their next 28 and the team has 92 points, with 14 more games to play.
- A little separation is beginning to happen 9in the West… while Arizona is firmly in the basement, Edmonton and Vancouver need to really get on a roll or they are in danger of being realistically out of the playoff race by February. The new demarcation line appears to be Calgary and Chicago at 44 points right now… Edmonton trails by 5 points, the Canucks by 7.
- Eeli Watch – Eeli Tolvanen finished the World Juniors tournament with 1 goal and 5 assists for Team Finland. Tolvanen now returns to Jokerit in the KHL… I expect him to play on 1/7 against Metallurg.
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SlapShot Radio’s tenth anniversary season is on. As the longest running hockey show in the region, SSR feeds hockey fans what they crave… intelligent, fun, entertaining talk about their favorite sport and we do it from the opening of training camp all the way through UFA day… the only local hockey show that does that.
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