The Nashville Predators are facing the Vancouver Canucks tonight in their third and final meeting of the season after losing both earlier games in October to a Canucks team with few weaknesses.
Tonight the Nashville Predators welcome the Vancouver Canucks to Bridgestone Arena for their third and final meeting of the season. The two teams played twice in October with Vancouver winning 3-2 and 5-2 in those games.
This may be a different Predators team taking the ice tonight than the Canucks saw two months ago. The Preds have gained confidence and settled into the style of play that Andrew Brunette has been working on since training camp. Nashville is also getting better performances from Juuse Saros, Filip Forsberg has turned quality chances into goals, and depth scoring has become a regular part of Nashville's success.
Tonight's game could come down to goaltending. Juuse Saros and Thatcher Demko are both playing extremely well in net for their respective team, although Demko has the better save percentage from a more consistent start. Saros has won ten of his last eleven games and is back to "vintage Saros" form, but he will be facing one of the hottest offensive teams in the league tonight with J.. Miller, Elias Pettersson, and Brock Boeser.
Oct 31, 2023; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Nashville Predators forward Filip Forsberg (9) stick checks Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) in the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY SportsNashville's top line of Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly, and Gustav Nyquist will need to match the offensive quality and quantity that the Canucks' top players can produce. Forsberg is on pace for a record setting season, but the top line has been less effective at five on five play than on special teams and in overtime. If Nashville's top line can get on the scoreboard, it could help the Predators get the win tonight.
Special teams could also be a factor tonight. The Canucks and Predators have each struggled on the penalty kill this season, but Vancouver has a top ten power play right now. Nashville will need to stay out of the box and capitalize on any power play chances they get as well.
The Predators welcome the Canucks to Bridgestone Arena for their final meeting of the season. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm CT. Bally Sports South will broadcast the game and 102.5 The Game will have the radio call.