After picking up two points in a dominant 7-3 win over Florida yesterday, Nashville must repeat that strong performance to earn a critical two points against Central Division rival Minnesota Wild.
This week has been the tale of two teams for the Nashville Predators. In Thursday night's loss to the Boston Bruins, the Predators looked overwhelmed for sixty minutes. Yesterday against the Florida Panthers - admittedly a more even matchup than against the league best Bruins - Nashville came out and played like a team possessed for sixty minutes. Which Predators team will show up today in Minnesota?
Minnesota Wild
The 29-21-5 Minnesota Wild currently sit five points ahead of Nashville in the wild card hunt but have played two more games than the Preds. They are coming off a shoot out win over the leader in the Central, the Dallas Stars, on Friday night. That game was an important win for Minnesota after losing five of their last six games post-All Star break. Mats Zuccarello scored his twentieth goal of the season and Matt Boldy buried the shootout winner while goalie Filip Gustavsson came up big in net for the Wild.
Of course, when facing the Wild Nashville will need to contain Kirill Kaprizov who has 31 goals on the season so far. Joel Eriksson Ek along with Zuccarello and Boldy round out the Wild's top four goal scorers. Minnesota is strong on special teams, ranking eighth in the league on both the power play and penalty kill. Gustavsson has been excellent in net in his recent games and is expected to start in net today.
Nashville Predators
While it is good to know the opponent, Nashville is a team that needs to stay focused on themselves and their game plan over the next few weeks. With the trade deadline looming and sitting just outside the playoff bubble, how the team approaches these next games both with regards to on ice and mental preparation will have significant implications for the franchise.
The Preds were shut out against Boston but found their offensive finish against Florida with six different goal scorers in their 7-3 win. The Predators scored on two of their three power play chances, so carrying that special teams momentum over into today's game could be a difference maker in the outcome.
It is unlikely that Head Coach John Hynes will make changes to the forwards lines and defensive pairings from yesterday's game. Kevin Lankinen started in net against Florida so expect to see Juuse Saros get the start today against the Wild.
Nashville has a lot to gain with a win over the Wild not just when it comes to points but also with regards to confidence. In a season marked by inconsistency, a carryover in execution and poise could go a long way in their sixty minutes of hockey today.
The Predators take on the Wild at the Xcel Energy Center in another early afternoon matchup. Puck drop is scheduled for 1:00 pm CST. Bally Sports South will carry the broadcast while 102.5 The Game will have the radio call.
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