It’s Game Night in Smashville as the Nashville Predators host the Florida Panthers for the curtain closer of a three game home stand. The Panthers hit town on a bit of a roll as the owners of a three game win streak including a 3-1 win at St. Louis on Tuesday. The Predators are trying to get a roll going of their own and build off of Tuesday’s dominating 5-2 win over Arizona, but they will have to do it without Mike Fisher for at least the next four games as the Predators center was placed on IR yesterday after leaving the game midway through the second period Tuesday.
The Panthers come in with injuries as well, Nick Bjugstad is out and expectations are that Dmitry Kulikov will also sit as the Cats are on the front end of a back-to-back and Kulikov will probably go tomorrow in Columbus. Florida’s offense comes from a familiar name, 43 year old Jaromir Jagr leads the team in goals (8) and points (18.) The ageless wonder continues to play at a high level and is one goal away from tying the legendary Marcel Dionne for 4th on the NHL’s all-time goal scoring list. Solid defensively, the Panthers have another familiar name between the pipes… Roberto Luongo, posting very good numbers in 20 games this year, 2.31 GAA and a .926 save percentage, although, given the back-to-back situation, I would not be surprised to see backup Al Montoya tonight.
Nashville looks to have moved Calle Jarnkrok to 2nd line center to replace Fisher… that’s where he skated in yesterday’s practice. Jarnkrok was solid in that role Tuesday night. Miikka Salomaki skated again yesterday and appears to be close to a return from IR. Paul Gaustad also skated yesterday but was in a “no-contact… jersey so his return may be a little further off. Colin Wilson, a scratch on Tuesday for a lower body injury, was a full participant as well, skating on the wing of the 3rd line.
The Predators swept the season series against Florida last season and the Panthers haven’t won in Music City in almost 16 years, but this is a Florida team on a definite upswing… it should be a good one tonight in Smashville… game time is 7pm, limited tickets are available for this Subway Student Rush Night. Coverage on 102.5 the Game and Fox Sports Tennessee, pregame on both begins at 6:30pm.
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Random Notes
- All-Star voting is underway and Shea Weber has moved into the top 30 of vote getters, other Preds… Roman Josi at 53, Pekka Rinne at 55 and Filip Forsberg at 74. You can vote up to 10 times a day at the NHL’s All-Star Voting Site
- IN case you are wondering… here is how the voting works for the All-Star Game…
Fans will cast votes online at NHL.com/Vote and via a mobile ballot for one player from each Division, without regard to position. Voting concludes Friday, Jan. 1, with the top vote-getters by division – regardless of position – named All-Stars and captains. The remaining 40 NHL All-Stars will be named by the NHL Hockey Operations Department.
- Cody Bass was solid in his Predator debut Tuesday night, he brought a physical edge that seemed to fire the team… he bears watching as Bass was one of the last cuts in camp back in October and Coach Laviolette was free with his praise for the forward post game.
- This is the first of two three-game stretches against the East in December, the Preds go to Detroit and Boston this weekend, after five divisional games and a match up against Calgary, the Preds will host Montreal, Detroit and the New York Rangers.
- Construction continues on the All-Star Winter Park presented by Bridgestone… it is slated to open next Saturday 12/12.
- Former Pred Kevin Klein was injured Monday in NY’s win over Carolina, he is slated to miss 2-3 weeks with a strained oblique.
- Jaromir Jagr is gathering all-star votes as Panther fans try and get him into the game… he seems a little (kiddingly) less than enthralled… awesome tweet from the vet…
Fans-I appreciate your votes for All-Star game, but 3 on 3 would kill me,and i don't want to die yet:)Thank you for understanding. Too old:)
— Jaromir Jagr (@68Jagr) December 2, 2015- Seattle rumblings won’t go away as new arena plans appear to be moving forward.
- Eight NHL games tonight, with five of the Central Division teams playing (all start times CT) – 6pm - COL @ NYR, NJD @ CAR. 6:30pm – WSH @ MTL, CHI @ OTT, ARI @ DET. 7pm – FLA @ NSH, TML @ MIN. 9pm – DAL @ VAN.
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