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End of the Roadie - Game Night in the Desert

November 15, 2018, 8:41 AM ET [3 Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The Nashville Predators conclude their annual early November road trip with a chance to end up with a 3-1-1 record on the odyssey if they are able to take down the surprising Arizona Coyotes tonight in Glendale. The Desert Dogs are surprising as they are only 3 points out of a playoff spot and are 6-3-1 in their last 10- games. These Coyotes have a little bit of bite and the Predators need to come in wary of it.

Nashville has lost their last two games, their first losses on the road of the 2018-19 season. The last two games have slow starts, inspired comebacks, some simply amazing goaltending and special teams that have been anything but.

The power play conversion is pathetic… 11.6%... ranked dead last in the league, and it is not even close. The penalty kill is only marginally better, killing off 78% of their shorthanded situations, good fir 22nd in the league. With the injury situation starting the grow worse, Dan Hamhuis, Calle Jarnkrok and now Viktor Arvidsson on the shelf for undetermined amounts of time, it’s time for this team’s vaunted depth to show itself.

Help on the penalty kill is on the way. Austin Watson served his suspension and returns to the Predators lineup tonight. Watson has been a key contributor to the PK and should have an immediate positive impact. Watson’s knack for coming up with goals at the exact right time will also be helpful here.

Secondary scoring, a real concern in the first few weeks of the season, seems to be stepping up. Craig Smith and Rocco Grimaldi on Tuesday night, Kevin Fiala on Monday night, Ryan Hartman, Yannick Weber, Roman Josi and Mattias Ekholm on Saturday in Dallas. It needs to continue as the JOFA line has been crippled by the loss of Arvidsson.

We talked about this last night on SlapShot Radio. Who is the best fit on the top line now that Arvidsson is out. Colton Sissons has been tried out there with decent results, but I wonder if his game is the right fit. I wonder if Ryan Hartman needs a shot on the top line. His shoot first mentality could be a nice fit and wouldn’t disrupt other lines, especially the FiST line that finally seems to be coming around.

The Coyotes goal scoring is by committee, with Clayton Keller and Brad Richardson leading the way with 5 each, five players have 4 each. This team has some solid wins, especially in November, a sweep in a home and home with Philly and wins over Washington and Carolina. Inside of those wins was a 4-0 loss at Pittsburgh and a 6-1, last game of the roadie shellacking in Detroit. Tonight is the Yotes first game at home after a nine day roadie to the East Coast.

So it’s one of those “Irresistible Force” vs, “Immovable Object” games. The Predators go home after this one for a seven out of eight at home stretch over the Thanksgiving holiday, last games of long roadies can be tough… The Coyotes are home after a long roadie, traditionally a “letdown” game.

Game time is 8pm central. Pregame starts at 7pm on 102.5 the Game, 7:30 on Fox Sports Tennessee. Game coverage begins on both media at 8pm. Chris Mason will be doing his best Pierre McGuire impersonation and doing color between the benches tonight instead of at press level.

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Random Notes

- Milwaukee Update – The Ad’s were shutout in Iowa last night, 3-0. Eeli Tolvanen was unable to follow up on his breakout game from Sunday, obviously being held off the scoresheet. Milwaukee is back in action for Iowa again on Friday night.

- Filip Forsberg’s two goals against the Sharks were his first since his hattie back on Oct. 27th. His 12 goals have him in a six way tie for 3rd in the NHL.

- Exciting news as the Nashville Predators and NWHL announced that the NWHL’s All-Star Weekend is coming to Nashville in 2019.

- The NWHL All-Star Game will be part of an NHL/NWHL double header on February 10 at Bridgestone Arena. The skills challenge will be held at Ford Ice Center on Saturday February 9th.

- What pleasure to talk to Scott Hamilton on last night’s SlapShot Radio. His cancer benefit show, Scott Hamilton and Friends is this Sunday at 5pm at Bridgestone Arena. It should be a lot of fun!

- The Chicago Blackhawks finally won a game with their new coach, a 1-0 win over St. Louis on Wednesday Night Hockey.

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