3 Keys: Avalanche @ Predators

 

The Nashville Predators will face another Central Division opponent tonight in the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche are off to a surprising start, while the Predators have some work to do with all the injuries they've faced this season.

 

Here are three keys to tonight's game:

 

1.) BONINO INJURY- PREDATORS

 

The Predators called up Frederick Gaudreau from the AHL to take Nick Bonino's roster spot. The center depth will be challenged once again as it was last June for the Preds. They will need players to step up like Kevin Fiala and Calle Jarnkrok, who will each see new line mates tonight. Nashville will need to get some scoring help from the blue line and they will also need to be a little better defensively. The Predators need to get the puck out of the zone when they can and not have too many failed clears since they are missing a decent faceoff man in Bonino.

 

2.) SPECIAL TEAMS- AVALANCHE

 

The Avalanche are going to need to win the battle of the special teams tonight. They need to capitalize on their power play opportunities with some nice puck and player movement. The Avs also need to get some traffic in front of the net for deflections and to take the goalie's eyes off the puck. Colorado will also need to stay out of the penalty box since the Preds power play can be dangerous at time. If they take penalties then they are going to need to win the board battles and get the puck out on its first clearing attempt. If they fail to clear the puck, then the Predators will likely find a way to make them pay since they have some guys that can find the back of the net.

 

3.) FORSBERG VS. YAKUPOV- PREDATORS/AVALANCHE

 

Nail Yakupov seems to have found a new gear with top six playing time and new line mates with the Avalanche. Yakupov has three goals through six games, is finishing his chances, and is playing with speed. The Predators are going to need to find a way to slow down his line tonight. Filip Forsberg is off to a good start through five games for the Predators. He has five goals, two assists and seven points on the young season. The Avs are going to need to keep an eye on him on the power play since he can snipe the puck.