Preds Prey: Weekly Preview 2/25/18-3/3/18

The Nashville Predators look to stay atop the Central Division even with having to play three of their four games on the road.

The week will begin on Sunday with a big Central  Division game against the St. Louis Blues, who haven't been playing well of late. The Predators will then visit Winnipeg to take on another Central Division foe in the Jets. They will then travel to Edmonton to face Connor McDavid and the disappointing Oilers. Nashville will end the week with another game on the road, where they will take on the Vancouver Canucks.

On Sunday afternoon, the Predators look to gain a valuable two points from the St. Louis Blues, who have not looked good in their last five games. The Preds will need to make sure that they get off to a good start in this game and set the tone early. Nashville should be good with the puck because the Blues can force some turnovers. The Predators want to establish the forecheck and cycle game to keep the puck in the offensive zone and make the Blues defend. The Preds need to win the special teams battle since the Blues have a power play that is not very good considering the players on both of their power play units. Nashville should keep an eye on Brayden Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko when they are on the ice since they are the two leading scorers for the Blues this year.

The Blues need to be engaged in the game from the drop of the puck, whether that is physically or just getting some early offensive zone pressure. St. Louis is going to have to be willing to work for the puck and win puck battles since Nashville won't make it easy for them to do so with two big points on the line. The Blues need to be discipline because the Preds power play is among the best in the NHL. St. Louis will want to get the first goal of the game to have some of the momentum on their side and take the home crowd out of the game. The Blues need to be aware of when and where Viktor Arvidsson and Filip Forsberg are on the ice since those two can produce points.

On Tuesday night, Nashville will be in Winnipeg with another two huge points on the line. The Predators will want to play with discipline since the Jets power play is ranked third in the League. The Preds need to be very good while at even strength since the Jets special teams are ranked in the top 10. Nashville should get the first goal to take the home crowd out of the game. The Predators will need the goaltending to be very good and make saves. The Preds need to be aware of when and where Patrik Laine and Blake Wheeler are on the ice because they are two of the top scorers on the Jets.

The Jets need to be aware of the Nashville defensive corp since they like to join the play in the offensive zone and will use the stretch pass to get ahead of the defender. Winnipeg should keep an eye on P.K. Subban and Roman Josi since those two defensemen are the leading the defensive group in points. The Jets want to have a lead entering the third period since they only have points in four of the 17 games they've trailed going into the final period of the game. Winnipeg should try to win the special teams battle since both teams are pretty good playing at even strength. The Jets will absolutely need to get a good game from the goaltender since the Preds will get their chances.

On Thursday night, the Preds will take on Connor McDavid and the struggling Oilers. Nashville will want to take advantage of a weak penalty kill of the Oilers (56.8%) at home. The Predators need to avoid mistakes and turnovers that can lead to odd man rushes and scoring chances. The Preds will want to be good in the neutral zone to slow down the speed of the Oilers. Nashville should try to have the lead entering the final period of the game. The Predators need to be aware of when McDavid and Leon Draisaitl are on the ice because they can use their speed to produce points.

Edmonton needs to figure out a way to get some secondary scoring because Draisaitl and McDavid have been doing most of the damage offensively this year. The Oilers will want to get their special teams on track, or at least stay out of the penalty box so they don't have to kill any penalties. Edmonton needs to get the first goal of the game and build off that momentum. The Oilers should try to use their speed to create some havoc through the neutral zone and in offensive zone. Edmonton will need a big game from the goaltender, who will need to have a big game.

Nashville finishes out their week on Friday night against the Vancouver Canucks. The Preds will want to play a discipline game because the Canucks power play is surprisingly good, like top 10 in the League good. The Predators should attack, get some offensive zone pressure and some scoring chances. Nashville should take advantage of a weak penalty kill of the Canucks and not play down to their opponent.

Vancouver needs to have a good start to the game, and establish the forecheck. The Canucks should try to win the even strength play since the penalty kill is not great. Vancouver wants to be discipline since the Predators have a really good power play. The Canucks need to play a good defensive game and make sure that the gap is not too big. Vancouver should keep an eye on Kevin Fiala and Ryan Johansen since they can put up some points.

Shooting Stars: Weekly Preview 2/11/18-2/17/18

The Dallas Stars will look to gain some important points in the playoff race this week. They only play two games this week with a four day break between games.

The Stars will start the week off on Sunday with a visit from the Vancouver Canucks, who are seventh in the Pacific. The Canucks are 3-7-0 in their last 10 games played. Dallas will then have the next four days off before they return to action to face Central Division rivals, the St. Louis Blues. The Blues are a hot team having won seven of their last 10 games. 

Dallas starts the week off against a struggling Canucks team. The Stars need to be ready to play from the drop of the puck and not look ahead to the game against the Blues. Dallas should try to stay out of the box because the power play has been the one area that has been clocking this season for the Canucks. The Stars need to keep an eye on the Sedin twins when they are on the ice since they can put up some points. The Stars want to take advantage of a weak penalty kill by the Canucks and score on some of their power play opportunities.

The Canucks want to get off to a good start in this game and establish a tone early. Vancouver needs to establish a forecheck early and often to make the Stars play in the own zone and not be able to get any offensive attack time. The Canucks should stay out of the box since they have one of the worst penalty kills in the League. Vancouver needs to win the even strength battle and try to score some goals. The Canucks need to get a good game from the goaltending because the Stars will get their chances and have more than one guy that can put the puck in the net. 

The Stars will have some time to rest and prepare for what should be a Central Division battle against the Blues. Dallas will want to get off to a fast start and establish the forecheck game early to make the Blues play in their own end. The Stars need to have the lead entering the final period of the game since they only have one regulation win when trailing after two periods. Dallas will want to get a good game from the goaltending since the Blues have a balanced lineup and find ways to score. The goalie should try to have good rebound control and keep the Blues from second opportunities. Dallas should have a better finish to this game since the third period has been a problem for the team all season.

St. Louis should try to get the first goal of the game to take the home crowd out of the game early. The Blues will want to find a way to stop the balanced lineup of the Stars, who can put the puck in the net and create chances in the offensive zone. St. Louis needs to have a better start to this game since they have only score 35 goals in the first periods of games this year. The Blues want to find a way to get a struggling power play going since it could be the deciding factor in the game with both teams being pretty even at even strength.

Shooting Stars: Weekly Preview 12/24/17-12/30/17

The Dallas Stars look to pick up some pivotal points against the competition this week since they play two games against Central Division opponents.

The Stars will visit the Minnesota Wild tonight. Dallas will then come home for a Friday night game against the St. Louis Blues, who are currently leading the division by one point.

Dallas will need to get off to a fast start against the Wild, including getting the first goal of the game to take the home crowd out of the game. The Stars need to win the special teams battle and try to get their power play back on track, which has been struggling lately. Dallas needs to have a solid defense effort including the forwards helping out and limiting their mistakes with and without the puck. They need to avoid the mental lapses that can happen throughout the game. One of the biggest problem with the Stars this year has been their consistency, whether it has been from period-to-period or game-to-game, and they need to play a consistent 60  minutes on the road tonight to get two points. The Stars will need to keep an eye on Eric Staal, who leads the Wild in goals and points. 

The Wild need to be better at even strength since they've allowed more goals than scored when playing 5-on-5 hockey. Minnesota needs to find a way to contain Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin, and they can do that by having sustained offensive zone pressure. The Wild must stop the balanced attack of the Stars since they can roll four lines that can get scoring chances. Minnesota should have a better finish to the game if they want a chance at getting two big points at home. Alex Stalock is going must have a big game and make crucial saves for the Wild tonight. 

Dallas will return home on Friday night to take on a St. Louis team that has been average in their last 10 games played. The Stars should come out with some energy, get in on the forecheck and get the first goal of the game to keep the home crowd into the game. Dallas need to limits their mistakes because the Blues will take advantage of them. The Stars must be aware of when Brayden Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko are on the ice since they are the leading scorers on the team. Dallas needs to get good goaltending in this game, and not allow any soft goals. The Stars should try to have the lead entering the third period since they have zero third period comebacks this year.

St. Louis needs to have the lead entering the third period since they only have two wins in regulation when trailing after two periods. The Blues should keep an eye on when Alexander Radulov and John Klingberg are on the ice because they can score and setup teammates. St. Louis needs to get their power play going because that is one of the weak spots on the team. The Blues just need to get some shots on net, and make sure that there is traffic in front. St. Louis is giving up way too many third period goals this year (45), but they have also scored a lot (46). 

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.

Shooting Stars: Weekly Preview 10/4/17-10/7/17

The Dallas Stars will kick off its season with a back-to-back set. They'll face the Vegas Golden Knights at home on Friday night and then take on the St. Louis Blues on the road on Saturday night.


If the Stars want to open the season with a win then they will need to feed off the crowd and get off to a fast start. They will need to get in on the forecheck and force the Golden Knights to turn the puck over. The Stars will need to establish an offensive zone attack and then keep taking it to Vegas. Dallas will have to use all four lines and get production from all of its lines. The biggest thing is that the Stars don't look past the Golden Knights and just expect the win. They will need to keep focus and not look ahead to the divisional matchup against the Blues on Saturday night.

The Golden Knights are going to have to have a sound road effort. The team will want to control the pace by getting in on the forecheck and pressuring the Dallas defense. The Golden Knights are also going to want to get a ton of traffic in front of Ben Bishop and get the goalie moving laterally. Vegas is going to want to stay out of the penalty box since the Stars have a pretty good power play. The Golden Knights are not a young team despite it being their first season in the NHL.

On Saturday night, the Stars travel to St. Louis for a big divisional game. It will only be the second game of the year for the Stars, but these points are big because the Central Division is going to be tight this year. Dallas is going to want to try to hold Vladimir Tarasenko off the board.  The Blues have a balanced attack so the Stars need to get off to a fast start and get some puck towards the net. They will also need to get some chances and spend some time in the offensive zone to keep the Blues offense off the board. Dallas is going to have to keep an eye on the defense of the Blues since they will get involved in the offense.

The Blues are going to have to find a way to deal with the balanced attack of the Stars, who have four lines that can produce. They will need to pressure the Stars defense to force some turnovers, which can lead to chances. St. Louis will need to stay out of the penalty box and play a disciplined game. The Blues need to get the first goal of the game to keep the crowd in the game.