The Nashville Predators' forward could provide the offensive creativity and energy the team needs to defeat Connor Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks and break a four game losing streak.
Although the Nashville Predators are taking the ice today for just their sixteenth game of the 2023-24 season, the early afternoon game against the Chicago Blackhawks has a bit of a "must win" feel as the Preds hope to break a four game losing streak and begin battling their way out of the bottom of the Central Division.
Connor Bedard returns to Bridgestone Arena for the first time since hearing his name called as the first overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. Today Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks face off against the Predators. Bedard leads the 5-9 Blackhawks in points and goals and his line with Nick Foligno and Philipp Kerashev are seeing offensive success since coming together. Goaltender Petr Mrazek is 4-4 in his eight starts with a .919 save percentage.
Nashville will need to correct a few little mistakes that have cost them their last four games, and the player who may be able to lead the team to do that is forward Filip Forsberg. Forsberg leads the Predators in points and assists and is second on the team in goals. He has been on a hot streak in his last five games, scoring six goals.
Nashville will need Forsberg's offensive creativity and production and his veteran presence to help the team weather the rough stretches that have derailed the team recently. If Forsberg can show off his puck handling and offensive talent it could limit the "Bedard" factor and help Nashville get back in the win column.
The Predators and Blackhawks face off today at 1:00 pm CT.
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