Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 12/24/17-12/30/17

The Nashville Predators will look to put some distance between themselves and the competition this week since all three of their games are against Central Division opponents.

The Predators will take on the St. Louis Blues tonight with just one point separating the two teams for the top spot in the Central. On Friday and Saturday, the Preds will play a home-and-home series with the Minnesota Wild. The teams will be in Minnesota on Friday night and Nashville on Saturday night. There should be some good hockey played between the divisional rivals.

The Preds will need to keep an eye on Brayden Schenn, who leads the Blues in goals, assists and points this season. Nashville will need to get good goaltending from whichever goalie starts tonight's game. The Predators need to be very good while at even strength since the Blues have scored 73 even strength goals on the season to Nashville's 64. The Preds should try to have the lead entering the third period since they have only forced overtime twice in the nine times they have been trailing after the second period this year. Nashville needs to get off to a good start and play a solid 60 minute defensive road game.

The Blues will need to get their power play going since it is ranked 24th and a clear weakness on this team. St. Louis needs to be aware of where the Preds defensemen are on the ice since they like to join the play in the offensive zone or make the long stretch pass to start a breakout of their own zone. The Blues should also keep an eye on Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson because both players have speed and can finish a play. St. Louis will need to get some stellar goaltending tonight since the Preds know how to put the puck in the opposition's net. The Blues will need to get the first goal of the game and come out playing with some energy.

On Friday night, the Predators will play the first of a home-and-home series with the Minnesota Wild. The Preds will need to use their speed in transition to get behind the Wild defensemen. Nashville will need to have their skating legs so they can draw penalties. The Predators need to get shots on goal and have someone in front of the net for second chance opportunities. Nashville need to have a better finish to games since that has been the one area where they have really struggled this year. They have been outscored 41-31in the final period of games, and that needs to change. The Preds will also need to find a way to contain Jason Zucker and Eric Staal, who lead the team in points and goals.

The Wild will need to play really well at even strength since they have given up more goals at even strength than they've scored this year. Minnesota need to keep an eye on Kevin Fiala and Kyle Turris, who have played well together since the trade to acquire Turris. The Wild should try to get pucks on net and bury the chances that they get throughout the game. Minnesota will need to get plenty of traffic in front of the net, and get good goaltending of their own for this game.

On Saturday night, the venue changes but the opponents are the same as the Wild visit the Preds. Nashville needs to take advantage of a weak road penalty kill of the Wild and put some pucks in the net when on the man advantage. The Preds need to be good on the forecheck and force some turnovers. The Predators will need to have good energy from the start of the game to the end of the game since this will be the back end of a back-to-back series with the Wild. Nasvhille needs to have good goaltending again, and play with discipline, which may be hard to do since they are the most penalized team in the League.

The Wild need to stay out of the penalty box since the Preds have a solid power play. Minnesota needs to get the first goal of the game to take the home crowd out of the game a little. The Wild should try to have the lead entering the final frame since they only have one regulation win and an overtime loss when trailing after two periods. Minnesota needs another good game from its goaltender, whether it is Devan Dubnyk or Alex Stalock. The Wild need to have a good start to the first half of the first period.

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 12/3/17-12/9/17

The Nashville Predators look to carry over their red hot play from the month of November, where they went 10-3-1, into December.

The Preds will play two games at home this week and another one on the road. Nashville will start their week off by taking on the Boston Bruins, who are playing better of late and have gotten some key injured players back into the lineup. On Tuesday night, the Preds will play the second game of a back-to-back set in Dallas against the Stars, who are on a winning streak of their own. It will be a big chance for Nashville to pick up two big points within the division. The Predators will end their week by facing the Golden Knights, who have been a surprise in the early going, at home.

Nashville will need to have a good game at even strength since the special teams of the Bruins have been decent so far. The Preds will need to stop the top line of the Bruins, especially David Pastrnak, who leads the team in goals and points. The Predators are going to need to be good with the puck and avoid turnovers and costly mistakes, which the Bruins can force a team into making. Nashville will need to have a good game from the goalie, Pekka Rinne since the Bruins will get their chances. The Preds will need to keep an eye on Charlie McAvoy and Torey Krug since they both like to jump into the offensive zone, and can set up teammates.

The Bruins will need to keep the play of good special teams going in this game since the Predators can put the puck in the net on the power play. Boston will need to keep a eye of Filip Forsberg, who leads the team in goals and points. The Bruins will want to have the lead entering the final frame of the game since they have only gained a point in one of the eight games when trailing after the second period. Boston will need to get the first goal of the game and take the raucous Nashville crowd out of the game. The Bruins are going to need to play a solid, 60 minute road game and bring the team defense.

On Tuesday night, the Predators have a chance to gain two big points in the Central Division. Nashville will need to have the lead entering the third period since they have yet to win a game when trailing going into the third period. The Preds will need to get it together on the power play since they are only converting 12.5% of its opportunities while away from home. Nashville is going to have to rely on team defense meaning the forwards and goalie will also have to be good. The Predators will need to keep a eye on defenseman John Klingberg, who leads the team in assists.

Dallas will need to stop the balanced attack of the Predators and a good way to do that is to get the forecheck going early to get some sustained offensive zone time. The Stars will need to watch Nashville's defensemen as they like to join the play on the rush or even lead the rush into the offensive zone. The Stars are going to need to stay out of the penalty box, and get a good game from the starting goaltending. Dallas will want to get the first goal of the game, and avoid the turnovers in the neutral zone since the Preds have some speed in the transition game.

The Preds finish off their week with a game against the Golden Knights. Nashville will need to keep an eye on the red hot William Karlsson, who leads Vegas in goals and points. The Predators will need to play a consistent game for 60 minutes and not slack off once they have the lead or in the final period of the game where they have been outscored 33-22 so far on the year. The Preds will need to have a lead entering the third period. The special teams of the Predators will need to be good, as will the goaltending to have a chance at winning the game. Nashville needs to be better at even strength especially since the Golden Knights are decent at even strength play themselves this year.

Vegas will need to have a good game from their starting goaltender, whomever that may be by the time the puck drops on Friday night. The Golden Knights will need to be aware of the transition speed of the Preds. Vegas needs to have a better third period since Nashville has also been struggling to finish games. The Golden Knights need to avoid turnovers and mistakes with the puck since Nashville can make one pay for turnovers. Vegas is going to need to be aware of where Forsberg is when he is on the ice.

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 11/26/17-12/2/17

The Nashville Predators will look to continue their hot streak as they head into a week where they play three of their four games at home. 

The Preds are looking to win their 10th game in the last 11 games played, and will enter the week with a 9-1-0 record in the past 10 games played. It won't be an easy task, although it may look like some easy points on paper since most of the teams they play are towards the bottom of their divisions.

Nashville will have a Sunday afternoon game in Carolina to start off the week. It won't be an easy game despite the Hurricanes record and them being out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference right now. The Predators will need to get pucks on net, and be in position for the second chance opportunities. Nashville will need to play a solid defensive game to contain a pretty balanced Carolina lineup. The Preds will also not want to look past the Hurricanes to the Blackhawks. The Predators will want to win the special teams battle and capitalize on the power play since Carolina has a pretty weak penalty kill. Nashville will also want to know where Teuvo Teravainen and Sebastian Aho are on the ice at all times, and make sure that they don't have much time to create or move the puck.

The Hurricanes will have a tough task in trying to put the flames out on the Preds hot streak. They will need to play a solid defensive game, and help each other out on the ice. Carolina will also need to know where Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen are on the ice at all times since they are two of the top three point producers for the Preds. The 'Canes will  need to watch the Predators defensemen since they like to join the play in the offensive zone. The Hurricanes need to be better at even strength since their special team numbers aren't the best in the world. Carolina is going to need to have traffic in front of the net because Pekka Rinne has been solid all season for the Predators in net.

The Blackhawks will visit Nashville on Tuesday night in a Central Division showdown. The Predators will need to get traffic in front of the net since Corey Crawford has been good this year for Chicago. Nashville will need to find a way to slow down the balanced lineup of the Blackhawks since they have four lines that can score. The Preds will look to have a better start to this game since they have been getting off to slow starts and then picking up the play in the second period this year. The Predators will look to get the first goal of the game and keep attacking from there.

Chicago needs to find a way to be consistent, and they should start with having a solid,60 minute road effort against a division opponent. The Blackhawks have really struggled so far this year and are falling behind in the playoff picture. Chicago will need to rely on its goalie to have a good game since they will give up shots and chances. The Blackhawks will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Preds power play is one of the best in the NHL. Chicago will need to have a solid game at even strength and force the Preds into some turnovers with a good forecheck and pressure.

Vancouver will visit Music City on Thursday night and look to leave with two points. Nashville will need to contain Brock Boeser because he has been really good for the Canucks so far this year. The Predators will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Canucks can put the puck in the net with the man advantage. The Preds will need to have the lead entering the third period since they have yet to win a game when trailing after the second. Nashville will want to establish a forecheck game early and keep applying the pressure throughout the game. The Preds also need to be a lot better at finishing games, and be tighter defensively in the final period of games.

The Canucks have been a surprise team through the first quarter of the season, and the main reason has been Boeser, who leads the team in goals, assists and points. Vancouver will need to stay out of the penalty box, and get the first goal of the game to quiet the home crowd. The Canucks will need to get plenty of traffic, shots on net and take advantage of their scoring chances throughout the game. Vancouver will need to have the lead entering the third period since they don't have a regulation win when trailing after two periods of hockey. The Canucks are going to need the goaltending to have a big game for them by making saves. 

The week ends with a visit from the Anaheim Ducks on Saturday night. The Predators will need to get plenty of traffic in front of the net and shoot high. The Preds will need to find a way to contain Rickard Rakell and Corey Perry, who are the two leading scoring on the Ducks. Nashville will need to be better in the third period of this game, and stop the top six forwards of the Ducks since the bottom six hasn't contributed much on the offensive side of the puck this year. The Preds will want to get off to a fast start, and keep the pressure on the Ducks.

Anaheim will need to get the first goal of the game since they are 6-1-2 when doing so, and it may take the raucous crowd out of the game a little bit. The Ducks will need to get the power play going since they have struggled with the man advantage this year, but there are major parts missing like Ryan Getzlaf and Ondrej Kase. Anaheim is going to want to stay out of the penalty box, and watch out for the transition speed of the Preds. The Ducks will need to play a team game on defense and that includes the forwards covering their man and the gap control being manageable. 

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 11/19/17-11/25/17

The Nashville Predators will look to continue their hot streak this week as they face a couple of Central Division foes and a team that is struggling in all aspects of the game.

The Predators will face the Winnipeg Jets, Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues this week. They have a chance to gain some points within the division and those points are always important and they want to get as many as they can.

Nashville will need to make sure that they contain Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele by spending time in the offensive zone, and not taking any bad penalties. The Predators will need to get the first goal of the game and keep the crowd involved from the start. Nashville will need to have a better start to this game since they've struggled in first periods of games at times this year. The Preds will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Jets' power play is operating at almost 22%. Nashville will need to get traffic in front of Connor Hellebuyck since he has had a great start to the season, and has taken over the number one goalie position over Steve Mason.

The Jets will need to find a way to contain Filip Forsberg, who leads the Preds in all three major offensive categories. Winnipeg will need to be aware of the Predators defense since they like to join the play in the offensive zone and can put up some points. The Jets need to get the first goal of the game to quiet the crowd. Winnipeg will need to stay out of the penalty box since Nashville's power play can strike at any time. The Jets will need to shoot the puck and make sure they get plenty of traffic in front of the net.

The struggling Canadiens visit Nashville on Wednesday night. The Predators will need to shoot the puck since the Habs are starting a rookie goalie, and are struggling defensively. Nashville will need to get off to a fast start, attack and get in on the forecheck. The Preds need to get the tone from the beginning of the game and not sit back at any point. Nashville shouldn't look past the Habs to the Blues because that would be a mistake even though the Habs are really struggling.

The Habs will need to be aware of where Filip Forsberg is on the ice at all times. They need to make sure that they play a discipline game and not give the Preds anymore chances on the power play than necessary. Montreal will need to be consistent within the game, and stay focused instead of having lapses throughout the game. The Habs will need to get anyone on the roster going and have a big game. Montreal will need to find a way to keep Roman Josi and P.K. Subban out of the offense for the Preds.

The Predators finish up their week against the St. Louis Blues, who are one of the best teams in the League. Nashville will need to contain the line of Jaden Schwartz, Brayden Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko since they have been on fire to start the season. One way to stop that line is to win offensive zone draws since they start a lot of the time in the offensive zone. The Preds will need to play a solid all around game for 60 minutes. Nashville will need a big game out of Pekka Rinne, should he be starting in this game. The Predators need to finish better since they have been outscored 25-17 in the third period of games this year.

The Blues will need to get off to a fast start and get the first goal of the game. St. Louis will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Preds have a very good power play. The Blues will need to be aware of how much the defense likes to chip in on the offensive side of the puck. St. Louis will need to play a good game at even strength to beat the Preds. The Blues will also need to have a big game from the goaltender, who will need to make saves when needed.

3 Things to Watch For: Predators @ Wild- 11/16/17

The Nashville Predators will look to stay hot as they travel to Minnesota to take on the Wild in a Central Division matchup.

Here are three things to watch for in the game:

1.) ROAD POWER PLAY GOING- PREDATORS

The Nashville Predators have struggled to score on the man advantage on the road, and it won't be easy to do tonight since the Wild are fifth in the League at killing penalties. The Preds will need to gain the zone with speed and then get set up from there. Nashville will need to have quick player and puck movement since the Wild like to get in shooting lanes and block shots. The Predators will also need to make sure that they outnumber the Wild in board battles along the wall. Nashville will also need to get a bunch of traffic in front of goalie Devin Dubnyk, who has been a brick wall the past three games, to get deflections and second chance opportunities.

2.) DEVAN DUBNYK- WILD

The Preds will need to find a way to solve Devan Dubnky, who has been stopping everything thrown his way the past three games. He hasn't allowed a goal since the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on November 8, where he allowed three goals against. Dubnyk has been known to get on hot streaks and carry his team to some wins. The goalie has stopped the last 103 shots that he has faced including 41 on November 9 against the Montreal Canadiens. The Predators will need to get plenty of traffic, shots and deflections on net because that seems like the only way they will have a chance at beating the goalie.

3) FILIP FORSBERG VS. JASON ZUCKER- PREDATORS & WILD

Minnesota will need to find a way to keep Filip Forsberg off the score sheet since he is the leading goal scorer and point producer for the Preds. Forsberg has one goal, three assists and four points in his last five games played. The Wild will need to be aware of his speed, and not let him get behind the defense for a breakaway. Nashville will need to find a way to stop the red hot Jason Zucker. Zucker is also the leading goal scorer and point producer for the Wild. He has seven goals, one assist and eight points in his last five games. It is safe to say that the Predators need to know where Zucker is on the ice at all times since he has the hot stick right now.

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 11/5/17-11/11/17

The Nashville Predators will look to get its focus back on the games, and not on the trade market. The Predators were part of a three-way trade where they acquired Kyle Turris from the Ottawa Senators.

The Preds will visit the Columbus Blue Jackets and Seth Jones on Tuesday night. The Predators will then have off three days before they take on the defending champions, Pittsburgh Penguins, at home.

Nashville's schedule seems to be more spread out this week, as does the rest of the NHL. They play a game and then have off a few days before playing its next game.


Nashville needs to get off to a good start, and then play a complete road game since the Blue Jackets have been very good on home ice this season. The Predators will need to find a way to stop the balanced lineup of the Blue Jackets, who can score in bunches or win a tight game. The Preds will need to be aware of when Seth Jones and Zach Werenski are on the ice since they have combined for 22 points on the top pairing for Columbus so far. Nashville will need to make sure that they get the first goal of the game, and have the period going into the third period since they are 5-1-0 with the lead versus 2-3-1 when trailing entering the third period. The Predators are going to need to get plenty of traffic in front of the opposition's net especially if Sergei Bobrovsky is there because if he can see the puck then he will make the save.

The Blue Jackets need to stay out of the penalty box since Nashville has a decent overall power play. Columbus will also need to get the first goal of the game since the Predators are 4-0-2 when getting the first goal, while only 3-5-0 when allowing the first goal. The Blue Jackets will need to continue their dominance at even strength this season, to have a chance at beating the Predators. Columbus needs to be aware of the puck-moving defensemen of Nashville, and also needs to find a way to stop Filip Forsberg, who leads the Preds with 14 points on the year.

The Penguins come to Nashville for a rematch of the last season's Stanley Cup Final. The Predators will need to find way to stop Sidney Crosby, Evgeny Malkin and Phil Kessel. Nashville needs to get the first goal of the game to keep the home crowd loud and in the game. The Preds will want to have the lead entering the third period since the Penguins aren't the best come-from-behind team in the third period this year. Nashville needs to get some pucks on net since the goaltending has been stellar for the Pens this year so far. The Preds also may want to stay out of the penalty box since the Pens have some guys that can flat out produce on the power play.

The Penguins will need to stay out of the penalty box since the Preds have a decent power play, and they have been mediocre on the penalty kill. Pittsburgh needs to play a better first period than they have been since they are getting outscored 22-11 in first periods this year. The Pens must play a good, solid game when even strength since they have been absolutely dominated at 5-on-5 this year. Pittsburgh should find a way to get some pucks on the net, and get some traffic in front of the Nashville goal.

Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 10/15/17-10/21/17

The Nashville Predators are dealing with some key loses to it lineup. The Predators already knew they would be without defenseman Ryan Ellis until January, but now they could be without center Nick Bonino for an extended period of time.

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.

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.