Tonight the Nashville Predators travel to PNC Arena to take on the Carolina Hurricanes, and players like Jack Drury and Colton Sissons could change the outcome of the game.
The Nashville Predators are back on the ice tonight after enjoying their first two days off in a row since mid-November, and they will be facing a Carolina Hurricanes team returning home after going 2-4 on a six game road trip.
Carolina struggled on the road losing to the Jets, Oilers, Flames, and Canucks before getting back in the win column against the Senators and Red Wings. Tonight will be their second game of a back to back after the Hurricanes secured a 2-1 win last night in Detroit.
The Predators are likely to face Antti Raanta in net as Pyotr Kochetkov got the start last night. Raanta has struggled in his 11 starts but has won six of those games. He currently has a .860 save percentage, but the Carolina defense has been playing better in front of their goaltenders, so tonight could be a better outing for Raanta.
Juuse Saros has been playing his best hockey of the season recently, and it is expected that he will get the start in Nashville's first game of the weekend back to back. Saros has won five in a row and nine of his last ten games. Whether it is Saros or Kevin Lankinen in net for the Predators, Nashville will need to limit Carolina's offensive chances and clear loose pucks away from the net front.
The Hurricanes' penalty kill has not allowed a power play goal in the month of December. Nashville's power play is looking better, but they weren't able to capitalize on their three opportunities on the man advantage Tuesday night against Philadelphia. Special teams could be a factor in the outcome tonight.
Depth players have come up big recently for both teams. Jack Drury has four points in his last four games for Carolina including a goal in last night's win over Detroit while players like Michael McCarron, Yakov Trenin, and Colton Sissons have made key plays to help Nashville win eleven of their last 14 games.
The Predators face off against the Hurricanes tonight at PNC Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:30 pm CT and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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