The Nashville Predators look to bounce back against the Flyers today after their 5-1 loss to Vegas earlier this week.
After a loss at home Tuesday night against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Nashville Predators hope to get back on the winning track today as they face the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center at 11:30 pm CST. With 33 games remaining in the regular season and the Preds needing a push to make the postseason, today's game feels a bit "must win".
The Flyers and Predators have in some respects had similar seasons. Philadelphia (22-22-9) and Nashville (24-19-6) have each played stretches of hockey in which they compete well against the league's top teams but then turn around and struggle to string together consistent performances.
Micah Blake McCurdy, hockeyviz.com, @IneffectiveMathNashville looked to be on the right track before the All Star break with three wins against playoff caliber teams, but their welcome back to the ice was a different story. The Preds dropped the game to Vegas 5-1 and didn't record a double digit number of shots on goal until halfway through the third period. The Predators hope to play a very different game today and earn a far better outcome. What will Nashville need to do to be successful?
Get Shots on Goal
Perhaps the most shocking aspect of the Vegas loss was how few shots on goal the Predators had through fifty minutes of play. Nashville didn't connect on passes that could have led to quality chances and missed the net completely at other times. Today the Preds need to get shots on net and be ready for any rebounds or net front opportunities they generate.
A player like Filip Forsberg may be the offensive spark Nashville needs especially if Carter Hart gets the start. The Flyers' goaltender is solid at handling slot shots and deflections, but wide angle shots and Forsberg's wicked release may be just the thing to get the scoring going.
Exit the Zone Well
When Nashville gets quick and clean D zone exits, it opens up the transition game and gives the team a solid start through the neutral zone to attack. Matt Duchene's lone goal Tuesday night all started with a clean pass out of the defensive zone and led to a quick score. The Preds have been a little careless under pressure and those defensive zone turnovers have cost them possession time and goals. Today, crisp passing and quick execution will help set up better offensive chances and give Nashville's net minder a moment to breathe.
As J. Lo Says, Let's Get Loud
I'm not talking about crowd noise as the Preds are the visiting team, but today a handful of Nashville players who have been too quiet lately need to get loud. Nino Niederreiter, who started the season looking like the solution to second line scoring issue from last year, hasn't recorded a point since January 12. Offensive depth threats like Tanner Jeannot, Colton Sissons, and Jusso Pärssinen need to step up today as well.
When/How to Watch
Today's game is an early 11:30 am CST puck drop at Wells Fargo Arena. The Preds/Flyers game will be broadcast on Bally Sports South, and 102.5 The Game will have the radio call.