It’s Game Night in Smashville as the Nashville Predators return home for a single game before heading out on the road again. It’s a critical matchup against the Winnipeg Jets, a team in desperation mode, fighting for their playoff lives as they are nine points out of the final wild card slot with 13 games left on their schedule, their “tragic… number is 17. The Predators are looking to hold off the suddenly streaking St. Louis Blues for 3rd in the Central Division. It goes without saying… every point is critical.
Winnipeg has some real talent on this team, but once again seems to be underachieving. The Jets hit the road after a very disappointing 2-4-0 homestand. The struggles on special teams and lack of third period discipline have magnified the issues in Winnipeg as much was expected of this team and once again, it has disappointed. It is what makes this Jets team very dangerous tonight. They have very little wiggle room.
The bright spot in this season for the Jets has been the outstanding, Calder-worthy play of rookie Patrick Laine who has been tearing things up since the All-Star break, posting 19 points (10g, 9a) in 17 games. He is leading all NHL rookies in scoring with 32g and 27a in 61 games. He has been scoreless over the last two games. Another danger point for Nashville, Laine doesn’t stay quiet for long.
The Predators turned their west coast roadie from disappointment to success in 60 minutes on Saturday afternoon, capturing four out of six points and steadying the ship for their last 14 games. The best news from Saturday could’ve been James Neal finally cracking the scoresheet after a bit of a scoring drought. A streaky scorer, the Predators can certainly use Neal’s offensive punch to supplement the continuing hot play of the JOFA line.
The Predators need to start off strong, taking away any hope from the Jets will be a key as Winnipeg knows their playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. One other area to wach tonight is the face off battle… both teams have been doing very well in this area over the last couple of weeks.
Game time is 7pm, limited tickets remain. Coverage gets started at 6pm with Predators pregame on the Preds Radio Network. Predators Live presented by Nissan gets going at 6:30pm on Fox Sports Tennessee. Game coverage starts at 7pm on both media.
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Random Notes
- Where We Stand – After yesterday’s play, the Nashville Predators have 77 points in 68 games played and remain 3rd in the Central Division, leading St. Louis by two points. The Blues have a game in hand on Nashville. Per sportsclubstats.com, the Predators playoff chances are at 82.2%.
- Impact Game Warning - STL @ LAK – Huge game for both teams, as LA trails St. Louis by three points. Not quite an elimination game for the Kings… but close.
- Miikka Salomaki was recalled from Milwaukee yesterday after playing three games for the Ad’s.
- Craig Smith is posting a point per game against Winnipeg inside the friendly confines of Bridgestone Arena, four points in his last four games against the Jets at home.
- Speaking of point-per-game pacing… PK Subban has slightly over a point per game over the past 15 games, Ryan Johansen has been there for the past 10, as has Vicktor Arvidsson over his last 18 and Filip Forsberg has been on a goal per game pace over the last 10 games.
- Coming into tonight’s game, the Nashville Predators have lost 196 man-games to injury.
- Eight games in the NHL tonight, all times CST – 6pm – CBJ @ PHI, TBL @ NYR. 6:30pm – CAR @ NYI. 7pm – WPG @ NSH. 8pm – 8pm – PIT @ CGY. 9pm – BOS @ VAN, COL @ ARI. 9:30pm – STL @ LAK.
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