Game Night in the Rockies as the newest Nashville Predator makes his debut tonight at Pepsi Center in a critical Central Division tilt against the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche trail the Predators by two points in the division and for the second Wild Card spot having made up seven points in the standings over the past five weeks, Nashville does have a game in hand over the Av’s.
Pred Nation gets its first look at Ryan Johansen in gold, using yesterday’s practice as an indicator, he will be centering a line with James Neal and Colin Wilson to start off his stint with the Preds, a line with some serious size and power potential. Mike Ribeiro is slotted in the 2C spot, centering Filip Forsberg and Calle Jarnkrok, Mike Fisher is centering the third line between Miikka Salomaki and Craig Smith. The bang and crash fourth line remains a constant with Paul Gaustad centering. Gabriel Bourque was a full participant for the second consecutive practice, his return from IR seems to be immenent.
The blueline also reflects the change as the top two pairs remain static and Anthony Bitteto sliding into the third pair with Barret Jackman. Obviously, that third pair will be watched pretty closely over the next few games, with the minutes being closely monitored. I do expect Shea Weber and Roman Josi’s minutes to increase over the next few games as Bitetto gets used to being back in the lineup.
Colorado, on the other side of the rink, is 11-4-2 since the start of December, that stretch features a sparkling 8-2-1 record against the Central Division, including a 3-2 win over Nashville at Bridgestone Arena. This team was left for dead back at Thanksgiving and has certainly snuck up on the pack. It gives you an idea of how hard it is to make up points in this league. Led by Matt Duchene and Nathan MacKinnon, the Av’s have gotten decent defensive play (although Erik Johnson will miss his second consecutive game with an injury) and excellent goaltending from Semyon Varlamov, who gets the start tonight.
It is unclear at this writing who gets the start for Nashville as they are on the front end of a back-to-back concluding tomorrow night in Arizona, Carter Hutton should get one of the starts.
So the offensive potential is ramped up… it’s the first game of a four game divisional road trip that should give the team the time needed to integrate their newly acquired center into the team dynamic. Getting off to a good start on this roadie is very important so I will be watching the first 10 minutes of the first period very carefully as this team needs to come out with some jump.
Game time is 8pm central with coverage on the flagship station of the Predators Radio Network, 102.5 the Game and Fox Sports Tennessee… those of you outside the Predators viewing area in the US will get the game on NHL Network.
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Random Notes
- “Where They Stand… - Entering tonight’s play, the Nashville Predators stand 5th in the Central Division with a two point lead over Colorado (1 game in hand.) The Predators trail MIN by 5 points, CHI by 9 points (2 GIH,) STL by 7 points (3 GIH) and 1st place Dallas by 17 points (3 GIH). The Predators are currently in the second Wild Card slot, ahead of COL, Calgary trails the Preds by five points and the rest of the Pacific Division trails by 6 or more points.
- Ryan Johansen’s first live presser from yesterday...
- More all-stars as the AHL announced their selections yesterday. Preds prospects Frederick Gaudreau and Vladislav Kamenev will join their head coach on the AHL team.
- Capital’s forward Alex Ovechkin is closing in on 500 career goals, he potted number 497 last night.
- Dallas’ little hiccup has allowed the Capitals to pass them in the President’s Trophy race, although the Stars broke their losing streak last night with a shootout win over Winnipeg.
- To give you an idea of how the Pacific Division is struggling, the last place team in the Central would be in 3nd place in the Pacific and in a playoff spot.
- There’s an outdoor party tonight down at Bridgestone Winter Park, music, skating and there even might be a hockey game going on…
- The Florida Panthers won their 11th consecutive game last night… these Cats may be for real.
- Six games on the NHL schedule tonight (all start times CT) – 6pm – BOS @ NJD, CBJ @ CAR. 7:30pm – BUF @ CHI. 8pm – NSH @ COL, TBL @ EDM. 9pm – STL @ ANA.
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