Speed, special teams, and sixty minutes could all factor in to tonight's game between two teams who may be surprising the NHL this season.
Tonight the Nashville Predators welcome the 15-10-2 Philadelphia Flyers to Bridgestone Arena for the first of two December games between the teams. Philadelphia enter tonight's game looking for their fifth straight win while Nashville has won four of their last five games.
Both teams are surprising many opponents this season. The Flyers and Predators are both in rebuild/reset mode but have found that culture changes are playing a part in on ice outcomes. Tonight's game may also come down to three additional factors - speed, special teams, and playing a full sixty minutes of hockey.
Points and Goal Leaders
Filip Forsberg is having what could end up being a career season, leading the Predators in points with 31 and goals with 14. The top line of Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly, and Gustav Nyquist have generated plenty of offense at both five on five and as a part of an improving power play unit. Roman Josi is tied for second on the team with O'Reilly for points with 22.
Travis Konecny is chasing last season's career high goals (31), already scoring 16 in the first 27 games of the season. He also leads the team in points and is tied for the most shorthanded goals in the league with Nashville's Colton Sissons, Colorado's Logan O'Connor, and the Islanders' Simon Holmstrom. Travis Sanheim is second on the Flyers team in points while Joel Farabee has ten goals.
Special Teams
The Flyers have struggled on the power play, sitting at just 12% while Nashville has slowly been finding their groove on the man advantage landing in the middle of the league with a 21.2%. The penalty kill for Nashville has also been improving after sitting last in the league earlier in the season but still ranks towards the bottom of the league. The Flyers penalty kill is not only successful at killing penalties but also threatens with shorthanded chances.
Goaltending
Carter Hart has gone 9-6-0-1 in his games this season earning a .919 save percentage and 2.42 goals against average. Backup Flyers net minder Samuel Ersson currently has an .885 save percentage but has won four of his last five starts.
Juuse Saros struggled through a slow start this season but has recently played some of his best games. He has gone 4-0-0 in his last four starts with a .952 save percentage in those wins. Backup Kevin Lankinen has been tested against some of the top teams in the league in his eight starts and has a .903 save percentage.
Game Time and Broadcasting
The Predators host the Flyers at Bridgestone Arena tonight with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 pm CT. The game will be broadcast on Bally Sports South and 102.5 The Game will have the radio call.