The Nashville Predators are coming off of a week where they split its first two games of the season. There were mixed results in the games as well as on the ice. In the first game, the Predators got off to a slow start, but the goals started coming in the second period. In the team's second game of the season, the Red Wings won the third period, so they won the game.
The Predators start its week off on Tuesday night against a winless San Jose Sharks team, but that doesn't mean this game will be an easy win. On Thursday night, the Capitals visit Bridgestone Arena, and Evgeny Kuznetsov will be in the lineup after serving his suspension. The Predators end its week with a quick pit stop in California to take on the Los Angeles Kings. This week could either help or hurt the team in the standings.
Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2019- Sharks at Predators- 8 p.m.- NBCSN
The Sharks will come out ready to play tonight since they have a 0-3-0 record. The whole team has looked bad and has been outplayed in every game this season. If the Sharks want to get its season back on track, they should start with finishing its chances, and getting the big boys on the scoreboard. In three games, the Sharks have three goals, and Logan Couture is the leading scorer with two points. Yes, the offense getting on track will help, but the goalies just need to be better by not allowing any soft goals.
The biggest problem for the Sharks has been the inability to score goals. The Predators need to get the first goal of the game since the Sharks are 0-3-0 when the opposition scores first. If the team can get establish the forecheck, then it could be a very long game for the Sharks. The Preds would benefit from getting pucks on the net when the opportunity is there because Aaron Dell and Martin Jones have been anything but sharp. This would be a good game to get the depth scorers involved since the Sharks can't keep the puck out of its net.
Thursday, Oct, 10, 2019- Capitals @ Predators- 8 p.m.
The Capitals have looked good in its three games so far this season, but they have the potential to get even better with the addition of Kuznetsov to the lineup. The addition of Kuznetsov balances out the Capitals' lines. The Capitals have struggled to play a full, 60-minute game on the season, and that will be one key to winning this game. The power play hasn't been horrible to start the season, but they've only scored two power-play goals in 11 opportunities. The key to winning the game against the Predators will be keeping its top six forwards off the score sheet.
The Predators will want to take advantage of their power play opportunities since the Capitals are only killing 71.4% of the penalties taken. The goaltender, whether Juuse Saros or Pekka Rinne, can't allow any soft goals, but will have to make some outstanding saves. The Predators need to keep the top six forwards of the Capitals in-check to have a shot at getting two points. The biggest key to this game will be getting everyone involved for the Predators, whether on the score sheet or just by playing his position.
3.) Saturday, Oct, 12, 2019- Predators at Kings- 6 p.m.
The Kings haven't seen much action on the ice up to this point in the season. The team has only played one game and will hit the ice for the second time on Tuesday night. The Kings' top line did most of the damage in its first game of the season, and are going to have to continue its play if the Kings want two points in this game. The special teams will need to be sharper since the Predators have a decent power play, and the Kings need to take advantage of its man-advantage opportunities. The key to winning the game is better goaltending since the Predators have a solid top six, who can convert on its chances.
The Predators should look to get the first goal of the game to take the home crowd out of the game. The Predators defensemen can move the puck from the backend, so they should get involved early with the stretch pass. Kyle Turris is a key player for the Predators this season, and if he can get going early that would help the team tremendously. The Preds should use its speed to enter the offensive zone to create chances. The key to this game for the Predators will be to stop the Kings' top line because as they go the Kings go.
Preds Prey Prediction
The Predators play two games at home this week and one on the road. The team has the potential to go 3-0-0, but I don't think that this happens because the Capitals get even better with the addition of Kuznetsov to the lineup. Sure, the Sharks will be a desperate team, but the Predators take charge of the game after that first 10-minute push by the Sharks. The Kings come out and give the Predators a little bit of a hard time, but the Preds take care of business in the end. The team finishes the week with a 2-0-1 record. The overtime loss comes against the Capitals.
Matt Duchene will have another big week for the Predators on the stat sheet. In two games, he has five assists for five points. The forward will get his first goal against the Sharks, and that will give him the confidence to get more. The Predators will get the power play figured out and Duchene will contribute to it. Duchene has a combined 38 points against the Sharks and Kings in 41 career games played against the two teams.
The biggest problem for the Sharks has been the inability to score goals. The Predators need to get the first goal of the game since the Sharks are 0-3-0 when the opposition scores first. If the team can get establish the forecheck, then it could be a very long game for the Sharks. The Preds would benefit from getting pucks on the net when the opportunity is there because Aaron Dell and Martin Jones have been anything but sharp. This would be a good game to get the depth scorers involved since the Sharks can't keep the puck out of its net.
Thursday, Oct, 10, 2019- Capitals @ Predators- 8 p.m.
The Capitals have looked good in its three games so far this season, but they have the potential to get even better with the addition of Kuznetsov to the lineup. The addition of Kuznetsov balances out the Capitals' lines. The Capitals have struggled to play a full, 60-minute game on the season, and that will be one key to winning this game. The power play hasn't been horrible to start the season, but they've only scored two power-play goals in 11 opportunities. The key to winning the game against the Predators will be keeping its top six forwards off the score sheet.
The Predators will want to take advantage of their power play opportunities since the Capitals are only killing 71.4% of the penalties taken. The goaltender, whether Juuse Saros or Pekka Rinne, can't allow any soft goals, but will have to make some outstanding saves. The Predators need to keep the top six forwards of the Capitals in-check to have a shot at getting two points. The biggest key to this game will be getting everyone involved for the Predators, whether on the score sheet or just by playing his position.
3.) Saturday, Oct, 12, 2019- Predators at Kings- 6 p.m.
The Kings haven't seen much action on the ice up to this point in the season. The team has only played one game and will hit the ice for the second time on Tuesday night. The Kings' top line did most of the damage in its first game of the season, and are going to have to continue its play if the Kings want two points in this game. The special teams will need to be sharper since the Predators have a decent power play, and the Kings need to take advantage of its man-advantage opportunities. The key to winning the game is better goaltending since the Predators have a solid top six, who can convert on its chances.
The Predators should look to get the first goal of the game to take the home crowd out of the game. The Predators defensemen can move the puck from the backend, so they should get involved early with the stretch pass. Kyle Turris is a key player for the Predators this season, and if he can get going early that would help the team tremendously. The Preds should use its speed to enter the offensive zone to create chances. The key to this game for the Predators will be to stop the Kings' top line because as they go the Kings go.
Preds Prey Prediction
The Predators play two games at home this week and one on the road. The team has the potential to go 3-0-0, but I don't think that this happens because the Capitals get even better with the addition of Kuznetsov to the lineup. Sure, the Sharks will be a desperate team, but the Predators take charge of the game after that first 10-minute push by the Sharks. The Kings come out and give the Predators a little bit of a hard time, but the Preds take care of business in the end. The team finishes the week with a 2-0-1 record. The overtime loss comes against the Capitals.
Matt Duchene will have another big week for the Predators on the stat sheet. In two games, he has five assists for five points. The forward will get his first goal against the Sharks, and that will give him the confidence to get more. The Predators will get the power play figured out and Duchene will contribute to it. Duchene has a combined 38 points against the Sharks and Kings in 41 career games played against the two teams.
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