The Preds start off its week by hosting Central Division opponent, the Colorado Avalanche. On Thursday night, the will travel to Philadelphia to face the Flyers. Nashville ends its week on Saturday in New York to face the struggling Rangers.
Nashville recalled forward Frederick Gaudreau from the AHL. He is likely to take the roster spot of injured center Nick Bonino. The Predators need to make sure that they are solid in all phases of the game, but especially even strength play since they have more power play goals than even strength goals entering tonight's contest with the Avs. Nashville needs to pressure defenseman Anton Lindholm, if he draws into the lineup for injured Patrik Nemeth, since he has only played in two games so far. If Semyon Varlamov is in net for the Avalanche tonight then the Preds need to make sure that they elevate the puck to get deflections out in front of the net. The Avs have yet to win a game when trailing after two periods so the Predators may want to have the lead heading into the third period.
Colorado needs to get the first goal of the game since they are 4-0-0 when doing so. If Pekka Rinne starts then the Avs need to get the puck elevated and get him moving laterally. The Avalanche special teams are going to need to be better than they have to start the season. Colorado is going to need to establish the forecheck and play a physical game. The Avalanche will need to keep an eye on Filip Forsberg and Scott Hartnell.
The Predators need to be careful since this is a revenge game for Philadelphia. Nashville is going to need to stay out of the penalty box since Philly's power play can put the puck in the net. The Preds will need to figure out a way to stop the balanced attack of the Flyers. If Nashville learned anything in its 6-5 win against Philly last week, it should have been to get the puck on net because Brian Elliott and Michal Neuvirth can be shaky at times during a game. The Predators need to watch out for the defense of the Flyers joining the play in the offensive zone.
On Thursday night, the Flyers will have a rematch against the Predators, who they lost 6-5 to last week in the final three minutes of the game. The Orange and Black need to use its speed to attack the Predators and force turnovers. The Flyers need to get the first goal, not sit back and then start taking penalties. The will have to watch out for the speed of the Predators in transition especially Filip Forsberg. Philly will need be disciplined and stay out of the penalty box since the can really score with the man advantage.
The Predators end its week facing the struggling New York Rangers, who went 1-5-0 to start the season. Nashville will need to take advantage of it power play opportunities, and have good energy from the start of the game. The Preds will need a good forecheck and offensive zone time. They will also need to keep attacking since the Rangers have given up eight third period goals. The Predators are going to need to keep an eye on Mika Zibanejad, who may have new linemates for tonight's game, since he leads the team with five goals.
The Rangers just need to have a better effort all around, but especially at even strength. New York needs to be better defensively and that starts with every player on the ice being responsible with and without the puck including the goaltender. The goalies for the Rangers need to start making some saves, and the bottom six need to start producing more. The Blue Shirts need to get off to a fast start including the first goal, and keep attacking. The Rangers need to play a complete 60 minute game especially since they have struggled in front of the home crowd in the early going.
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