It’s Game Night in Smashville as the Nashville Predators return home for a Tuesday night showdown against Western Conference power San Jose. The Sharks hit town after sweeping a two game homestand, beating the Sabres and Islanders. The Sharks and Preds have been served a heavy dose of Eastern Conference competition in the first few weeks of the season as both teams have completed their season series with the New York Islanders and have made trips through the Northeast.
San Jose is off to a solid (if unspectacular) 4-3-1 record and are led in scoring by Logan Couture, with five goals, Timo Meier, Joe Pavelshi and Evander Kane have four each. Expect to see Martin Jones in net for the fish tonight, he’s 3-3 with a solid GAA of 2.36… frankly, he’s not getting a lot of help from his blueline. A blueline that is trying to incorporate Erik Karlsson into their lineup. Karlsson is adjusting, but not exactly lighting it up for all the hype. Again it is early, but 0 goals and 4 assists and a -4 over his first four games isn’t what fans of the fin were expecting. He won’t stay there, he’s too strong offensively to remain where he is.
Nashville returns after a successful sweep in Western Canada, solidifying a 7-1-0 start that has featured good beginnings of games (a new one) … mediocre second periods, strong finishes and some special teams struggles. Look, it’s nice to be able to quibble about a less than stellar power play when you are winning seven out of eight, but it is something that will bite this team if they don’t get it together. The good news is that the power play is showing signs of life and the penalty kill is also improving. All good signs for a team looking to extend a five game win streak.
The big story in Smashville is the little goaltender… OK, he ain’t that little but when compared to 6’5… Pekka Rinne, Juuse Saros does seem a bit, ummmm… diminutive. But boy he plays big. Saros is back in net tonight after a masterful shutout of the Edmonton Oilers Saturday night. He was calm, controlled and very purposeful in his movements, certainly signs of a well-prepared goaltender. He will be net tonight and also Thursday in New Jersey while Pekka Rinne recovers from the Friday night injury in Calgary. Rinne is on IR until at least Friday, but the Predators have been really close-mouthed on details of the injury.
Game time is 7pm in Smashville… very limited tickets remain for what should be a really good hockey game. Pregame coverage gets going at 6pm on 102.5 the Game and the Predators Radio Network. Game coverage begins at 7pm with the Voice of the Predators, Pete Weber and Hal Gill on color and don’t forget, tonight’s tv coverage is on NBCSN so Willy and Chris get the night off.
See you at the Bridge!
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Random Notes
- Eeli Tolvanen update – The Admirals stand at 5-1-1 on the AHL’s Central Division. Milwaukee has spent six of their seven games on the road and begin a five game homestand tonight vs. San Antonio. Tolvanen has 1 goal and 5 assists so far.
- Juuse Saros is being backed up by Troy Grosenick tonight. Grosenick has seen two NHL games, ironically for the San Jose Sharks. He earned a shutout in his only NHL start.
- Tonight is San Jose’s only visit to Smashville. The Preds play the Sharks twice more this season, both are at the Shark Tank.
- The ten game mark is looming, not only for Eeli Tolvanen, but for players in the NHL like Buffalo’s Rasmus Dahlin (no way he gets sent back to juniors) Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard (for team desperate for D, he’s probably staying I Oil Country) and Ottawa’s Brady Tkachuk (likely staying as he is playing really well so far.)
- Another heartbreaker for St. Louis last night. They couldn’t hold a late 3-1 lead against Winnipeg, then dropped the game in OT… Something is not right in Blues land.
- Man, things are looking bad in Motor City… the Red Wings are bad… 1-6-2 bad and in the basement of the East.
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