Bridgestone Arena is always filled with excitement for the last game before the Christmas holiday, but today's game between the Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars has an additional storyline as Matt Duchene makes his return to Nashville.
Before the Nashville Predators can take a holiday break, they have very important business to take care of as they host the 19-8-4 Dallas Stars this afternoon at Bridgestone Arena. Today's game will also mark the first return of former Predator Matt Duchene whose contract was bought out by Barry Trotz as he took over as the Predators' general manager.
Duchene has scored 11 goals and is tied for second on the team in goals with Roope Hintz and trails scoring leader Joe Pavelski by just two. Pavelski and Jason Robertson lead the team in overall points, but the Stars are getting offensive contributions up and down their lineup.
On December 15, starting goaltender Jake Oettinger was injured in the first period of the game against the Ottawa Senators and is listed as week to week with a lower body injury. Scott Wedgewood stepped in for Oettinger and has played the last four games for the Stars in net.
The Stars have been a perennial playoff favorite for several seasons now, and once again Dallas is playing like a team that intends to make a serious postseason run. On Thursday night the Stars defeated the Vancouver Canucks in overtime, and that game winner was scored by former Predator Matt Duchene.
Filip Forsberg knows firsthand the ability Duchene brings to a team, having been a frequent line mate of Duchene during his time in Nashville.
"He's one of those guys that can hurt you if you give him time and space," Forsberg said. "He's obviously very dynamic with the puck and can pass and shoot."
While the return of Duchene is a storyline tomorrow, the Predators are mostly focused on what they need to do to win this last game before a brief holiday break.
"We've got to be ready for the puck drop," Kiefer Sherwood said. "We know they're a strong team. They've got a lot of good players, and they're playing a good brand of hockey. It'll be a good test for us because we're trending in the right direction."
Andrew Brunette has been hearing about how big a rivalry the Predators/Stars games have been in recent seasons.
"I'm excited for the game," Brunette said after Friday's practice. "They said the atmosphere here is electric usually in those games, so I think there's no better way to enter your Christmas break than playing Dallas at home on a Saturday afternoon."