"We have to find ways to win and get rolling and move up in the standings. We know we can be better. We have to be better. [We] have to get back to the way we were playing a few weeks ago, and start getting some wins. We're a confident group, and we have the guys in here to do it. We're going to pick it up, and just keep improving and getting better." - Mike Fisher / Captain, Nashville Predators
The Predators dropped a tough one to the Broad Street Bullies in that game as the Flyers were building a 10 game win streak. A streak that got busted Saturday afternoon by the Dallas Stars as Philly finished a three game road trip. How will the Flyers react to that loss and the breaking of that streak? And how do the Predators get back on the horse to put together a consistent string of solid hockey.
It’s all about the wins and losses, despite the fact that the Predators are fairly satisfied with their overall play, their results have not been good since the calendar page flipped to December, 2-4-2 with a pair of 1-1-1 home stands is certainly not the recipe for making the playoffs… let alone any kind of run. It is all about eliminating the silly mistake, the bad giveaway at the wrong time that has cost this team at least six points in the month of December.
If the Predators are able to get a run started, they may need to do it without PK Subban, Adam Vingan is reporting that he is not on the trip, but CBSSports.com is reporting that Subban is scheduled to join the team. Other than that bit of mystery, the injury list remains static for Nashville. For Philly, Michal Neuvirth, Mark Striet and Sean Couturier are all skating, but listed as doubtful for tonight’s game.
It should be another Rinne vs. Mason matchup tonight… one that Pred Nation has seen many times before. Rinne was a surprise observer on Saturday night and normally returns after a rest in fine form. Mason has been a rock for the Flyers and looks to have finally recaptured the form that gave him the Calder so many seasons ago.
Stringing together a few wins heading into the holiday break would make this Christmas a whole lot merrier for all of those involved. Game time is 6pm CT from the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia. Pregame on 102.5 the Game starts at 5pm, pregame on Fox Sports Tennessee gets going at 5:30pm… Puck drop at 6:07pm CT.
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Random Notes
- The holiday roster freeze takes effect today.
- One positive to take from Saturday’s loss… it was the first time in ten games where they did not give up three or more goals.
- Today is the 99th anniversary of the first NHL games.
- Columbus won their 9th straight yesterday… giving their head coach, John Tortorella 500 wins as an NHL coach, the first American born coach to reach that milestone.
- The NHL and NHLPA are meeting this week to discuss the leagues potential participation in the Olympics.
- Five games in the NHL tonight, all times CST – 6pm – NSH @ PHI, DET @ CAR. 6:30pm – ANA @ TOR. 7pm – EDM @ STL. 8pm – CGY @ ARI.
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