It’s Game Night in Smashville as the Nashville Predators welcome the Arizona Coyotes to town for a Tuesday night showdown of the last two teams to lose to the Dallas Stars. The Preds on Saturday, the ‘Yotes last night. The Predators have won 10 of their last 16 against Arizona and seven of their last eight inside the friendly confines of Bridgestone Arena, but have lost both games to Arizona this season.
I know coaches hate this term… but tonight is a “trap… game. After an emotional loss on Saturday night to Dallas, and a rematch on Thursday night, tonight’s game against the Coyotes could easily be overlooked by a team that sometimes struggles to get off to great starts. Jumping on a team that lost last night with aggressive forechecking, on your toes hockey is critical to coming away with two badly needed points and an end to the Preds home losing streak and salvage the season series.
In net for Nashville, I am pretty sure we will see Pekka Rinne, that decision is not so clear for Arizona. Darcy Kuemper gave up five goals to Dallas last night including four in the third period, but backup Calvin Pickard has a 3.78 GAA and a .869 save percentage in 12 games played so far this season.
Arizona is a good young team, some solid veteran leadership is mixed with some really good young talent, the big question mark for the Coyotes is in net.
Nashville is looking to ramp up for the playoffs. With 28 games to go in the regular season they are looking to get the power play on track, get healthy and get the second line going. All things that need to happen to the Preds to make noise come springtime.
Game time is 7pm at Bridgestone Arena, coverage starts at 6pm with pregame on 102.5 the Game. TV pregame starts at 6:30 on Fox Sports Tennessee. Limited tickets remain…
See you at the Bridge.
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The Where We Stand section
Nashville maintains the second slot in the Central Division, four points behind the Winnipeg Jets, Winnipeg holds two game in hand over Nashville. The Preds lead Dallas by six points, Minnesota by ten points and Colorado by 14 points.
Nashville currently holds the 4 seed in the Western Conference playoff race and has a 99.6% chance of making the playoffs according to SportsClubStats.com… the “85% chance… line stands at 90 points right now.
Impact Games Tonight – 6pm MIN @ BUF. 7pm SJS @ WPG. 8pm CBJ @ COL.
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Random Notes
- Milwaukee Update –The Admirals are back in action on Wednesday against Texas.
- You Can Play – Tonight is the Predators fourth annual Pride Night featuring rainbow stick tape and special warmup jerseys that will be auctioned off.
- You Can Play 2 – The “Play Like A Girl… Leadership Summit is Saturday at Ford Ice Center as part of the NWHL’s All-Star Weekend festivities.
- Expansion Talk – On last night’s SlapShot Radio, we interviewed the Deputy Commissioner of the NWHL, Hayley Moore. When asked about possible expansion to Nashville she said that they would love to see a packed house for the game Sunday and implied that it would certainly send a message to the league.
- Recovering – Kyle Turris was a full participant in practice yesterday… looks like his return is close.
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