The Predators are coming off of a shootout win over the L.A. Kings and hope to add two more points when they face Trevor Zegras, Troy Terry, and the Anaheim Ducks tonight.
The Nashville Predators are wrapping up their twelve day road trip out west tonight against the 22-35-9 Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks are coming off of a 3-1 win over the Calgary Flames on Friday night in which goaltender John Gibson became the all time save leader for the franchise.
Young Trevor Zegras leads the Ducks in points and goals and his between the legs goal Friday night caused quite a stir. The 21 year old has five points in his last five games. Adam Henrique and Troy Terry round out the top three goal scorers for the Ducks, although Henrique is out due to a lower body injury.
While the Ducks have plenty of pluck on the ice they are a team clearly in the throws of a rebuild. The trade deadline saw them collect picks and prospects as they look to the future. Meanwhile, the Ducks are working through some challenges the Predators could capitalize on tonight.
Keys to the Game
1. Special teams - The Ducks rank near the bottom of the league in special teams. Despite going 0/6 on the man advantage against Arizona, the Preds have been better overall on the power play. They have scored eight power play goals in they last nine games. Anaheim's struggle on the penalty kill could help Nashville build on their recent special teams success.
2. Juuse Saros - The Predators have one of the best goaltending tandems in the league right now with Kevin Lankinen and Juuse Saros. Saros will get the start tonight in this second game of a back to back against a Ducks team that ranks 31st in goals for per game.
3. That young energy - The Predators are a team also in transition, and what they may have lost at the trade deadline in experience, they are using the energy of the young players to win games. Egor Afanasyev got his first NHL start last night, Tommy Novak has 24 points in his 32 games, Cody Glass is making great plays, and Luke Evangelista is generating quality offensive chances. Nashville will still need Matt Duchene and Roman Josi's veteran leadership, but the energy of the youth carried the team last night against the L.A. Kings.
How to Watch
The Predators take on the Ducks tonight at the Honda Center tonight. Puck drop is scheduled for 8:30 pm CST. The game will be broadcast on Bally Sports South and 102.5 The Game will have the radio call.
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