Tonight the Nashville Predators will take on the Philadelphia Flyers at Wells Fargo Center, but there will be several enthusiastic Preds fans in attendance.
Tonight the Predators hope to bounce back after a disappointing loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night as they face the Philadelphia Flyers tonight. The Flyers have been on a tear in December, earning 15 of a possible 16 points so far, but Nashville defeated the Flyers a little over a week ago in overtime.
Dads Trip
Although it is a road game, there will be some diehard Predators fans at Wells Fargo Center cheering heartily for the team. Tonight the Predator dads are along for the Annual Dad's Trip, an NHL event that originated with the Nashville Predators organization back in 1998-99 when now head coach Andrew Brunette was a player under then head coach Barry Trotz.
What does Brunette remember about that inaugural dad's trip?
"I just remember how unique an experience it was and how lucky we were to have our dads around and to see the day to day, how we live on the road," Brunette said.
"It's was really a fun trip and obviously it started a snowball effect all through the league."
Novak's 100th NHL Game
Tonight Tommy Novak's dad will be in attendance to watch him play his 100th NHL game. Novak was a Nashville third round draft pick in 2015 and made his NHL debut on October 19, 2021. His first NHL goal came in the December 17 game that same year against Marc Andre Fleury and the Chicago Blackhawks. In his first 100 NHL games, the 26-year-old has scored 24 goals and 64 points.
Lineup Changes
Andrew Brunette announced the return of Kiefer Sherwood to the lineup for tonight's game. Sherwood last played in the December 12 game against the Flyers at Bridgestone Arena before missing the next three games due to an upper body injury. Sherwood's speed and physicality will be a welcome addition to the team against a Flyers' team that plays a fast game.
Coming out of the lineup will be Cody Glass. Glass has only played 18 games so far this season after battling through two pretty significant injuries. Glass scored his first goal of the season late in the Tuesday night loss to the Canucks, and Brunette chalked the decision up to numbers and giving Glass a chance to reset as he works his way back from those early season injuries.
Juuse Saros is likely to get the start in net for Nashville. Saros was pulled early in the third period against the Canucks but played well when he faced the Flyers early this month saving 37 of the 39 shots he faced.
Watch/Listen
Tonight's game will start a bit earlier with puck drop scheduled for 6:00 pm CT. Bally Sports South will broadcast the game while 102.5 The Game will have the radio call.
Preview: Predators Must Bounce Back Against Surging Flyers
Brunette on McCarron Game Misconduct: "You Have to Keep Your Emotions In Check"
Canucks Defeat Predators with Quick Goals; Saros Pulled in Third Period in 5-2 Loss