The Nashville Predators ended the first half of the season in a good position despite key players spending some time on the IR. The Predators, like most NHL teams, should have some resolutions for the second half of the season.
Resolution #1: Health and Cohesion
The Predators need to get healthy and stay healthy to get some kind of run going down the stretch. They saw key players miss a chunk of time due to injury, but some have returned. After the Christmas break, Viktor Arvidsson and P.K. Subban returned to the lineup, but Filip Forsberg is still out and could be for a few more weeks. The team is currently without Colton Sissons and Kyle Turris, who are key players in the lineup.
The Predators can only hope that they can get all of their players back and into the lineup so they can start building some chemistry and contributing on a nightly basis.
Resolution #2: Find a Road Game
The Predators started the season winning eight straight road games, but then managed to go winless in their next 10 on away from Bridgestone Arena. They finally ended the road winless streak in Washington on New Years Eve. If the team wants to be in a good position heading into the postseason then they'll need to figure out a way to to get over the problems on the road.
If they want to straight out the road woes then the Predators will need to limit the amount of times that they give up the first goal on the road. They gave up the first goal in nine of the ten games during the winless streak. The Preds need to get off to better starts, which includes getting the first goal and setting the pace early with a big play. The biggest key to a better road record is going to be getting Pekka Rinne on track since he is a different goalie on the road versus at home.
Resolution #3: Light It Up on the Power Play
The Preds need to find a way to get the power play going since they are too talented to have one of the worst power plays in the League. They have been without key players at points this season, but the power play should still be better than what it is.
One of the key problems with the power play has been the overpassing instead of getting a shot on net when it is there. They are also looking for the perfect play, but if a lane is open then the shot needs to get on goal. The Predators should get some bodies in the front of the net for deflections and rebounds. They just really need to try to keep it simple and not overthink while up a man. The biggest key to getting the power play back on track is to get more puck and player movement instead of standing still on the ice.
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