The Predators are in Newark tonight to take on the New Jersey Devils for their first road game of the season. Last season, the Predators feasted on the Eastern Conference, going 20-10-2, picking up 42 points and were one of only four teams to earn at least 20 wins against the east.
Nashville comes into tonight’s contest with strong defensive game, solid special teams and an offense that has been opportunistic but not exactly blowing out the back of the net. The biggest issue for Nashville seems to be discipline. Giving Edmonton five power play opportunities on Saturday night was not a solid strategy for consistent winning, however the PK has been very good and Pekka Rinne has been lights out so far, posting a .50 GAA and a save percentage of .982 in the Preds two wins thusfar.
For New Jersey, they are trying to figure out what kind of team they are. In danger of an 0-3 start for the first time in 14 years, the Devils seem to have more questions than answers right now. Starting with, who’s in net tonight? Cory Schneider did not practice yesterday, he and his wife Jill are expecting their first child, and may already be here by the time you read this. The other question mark is blueliner John Moore, he blocked an Ovechkin one-timer on Saturday against the Caps and sat out the practice with a bone bruise. Updates on both players are expected after day of game skate this morning.
Don’t expect to see many changes to the Predators lines, the Jarnkrok to the first line experiment didn’t last past the first period of Saturday’s game. Nashville has been reaping the rewards of stability in the first couple of games, simply enhancing the team vs. wholesale changes has paid dividends in the skill areas. Not as much time being spent on learning a new system, more time spent on learning and enhancing the finer points of it. Pekka Rinne should get the start.
Most coaches will tell you, they love to have early 2-4 game road trips like this one and the annual CMA roadie happening later this month. It allows the group to simply focus on the game, do things as a team with limited distractions from life at home. The team has taken full advantage of this team building opportunity every season.
These two teams split the season series last season, each holding serve at home. The Predators haven’t won in New Jersey since December of 2010. Game time is 6pm Central time with coverage on Fox Sports Tennessee and the Predators Radio Network, locally on flagship station 102.5 the Game. Willy Daunic and Stu Grimson have the TV call, the Voice of the Predators Pete Weber and Chris Mason will be on radio duty.
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Random Notes
- A shout out to Eklund for his well-reasoned take on the whole Jimmy Vesey kerfuffle.
- With the start tonight, Pekka Rinne will pass Tomas Vokoun for the lead in the franchise all-time games played by a goaltender.
- Nashville d-man Seth Jones was named one of Nashville’s 25 Most Beautiful People for 2015… by Nashville Lifestyles Magazine.
- The Predators Thursday night opponent, the New York Islanders posted their first win at Barclay’s Center yesterday, beating Winnipeg 4-2, sending the Jets to their first loss of the season.
- At this time last week, if you told me that the Ducks, Kings, Penguins and Blue Jackets would be a combined 0-8-1 right now and the Coyotes would be 2-0, I wouldn’t have believed you.
- Going into tonight’s action there are nine unbeaten teams in the NHL… The Sharks, Coyotes, Preds, Wild, Caps, Rangers, Lighting, Habs and Red Wings.
- Bad news out of St. Louis, rookie Robby Fabbri was diagnosed with a concussion after taking an elbow to the head in Saturday’s loss to the Wild. Fabbri had the game winner in his NHL debut in St. Louis’ season opener.
- Columbus has been flatter than a pancake so far… 0-3 start and a rather lifeless performance yesterday afternoon in Buffalo. Can’t blame injuries for this…
- Speaking of Buffalo… while Connor McDavid gets all the press, Jack Eichel is making a difference with the Sabres. He scored his second goal of the season yesterday afternoon, which proved to be the game winner. This kid is the real deal and looks like he has been in the league for years.
- Steven Stamkos posted his 500th career point in Tampa’s 6-3 win over Boston
- On the college hickey scene, congratulations to UAH forward Brennan Saulner who was named WCHA Player of the Week on the strength of his 3g-2a-5p performance in the Chargers series split with UConn over this past weekend at the VBC in Huntsville.
- The Chargers play an exhibition game against The UNiversity of Alabama Frozen Tide club hockey team on Saturday at the Huntsville IcePlex before returning to NCAA action against Alaska-Anchorage on 10/23 and 10/24 at the Von Braun Center.
- Congratulations to the ASU Sun Devils hockey team on their first NCAA D-1 victory Saturday over Alaska.
- Big time props go out to the Anaheim Ducks and their PA Announcer Phil Hulett for the experience they gave to Kai Quinonez, a 13 year old battling a rare blood disorder… check it out here…
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