The Nashville Predators (3-5-0) and Steven Stamkos journey to Amelie Area in Tampa to face off in opposition to Stamkos’ prior group, the Tampa Bay Lightning (5-3-0) because the Predators attempt to prolong their new profitable streak to 4 video games. Be part of us for dialogue each earlier than and through the sport right here!
The Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning began the season 3-0-0, however have since dropped three of their final 5. They too are coming off a 3-0 shutout in opposition to the Washington Capitals on Saturday, and have victories in opposition to Carolina, Vancouver, Vegas and New Jersey as properly. The Lightning boast as myriad of weapons in each the ahead and defenseman group, together with Nikita Kucherov (8 targets, 6 assists, 14 factors), Brandon Hagel (6g, 4a, 10p), Jake Guentzel (2g, 5a, 7p) and new Lightning captain Victor Hedman (2g, 6a, 8p), who takes over the function from Stamkos. Additionally within the Tampa lineup is former Predator Ryan McDonagh, who returned to the Bolts after a stint with Nashvillle.
Nashville’s 2nd-best penalty kill will likely be examined in opposition to the Bolts, who boast a below-average energy play (nineteenth within the NHL), however are a menace to attain on each alternative. As well as, Nashville faces a particularly balanced and lethal Tampa group that ranks 4th in targets per sport and third in targets allowed per sport.
Projected Strains:
Guentzel-Level-Kucherov
Hagel-Cirelli-Geekie
Eyssimont-Paul-Chaffee
Girgensons-Glendening-Atkinson
Hedman-Moser
McDonagh-Cernak
Lilleberg-Perbix
Vasilevskiy
The Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators discover themselves on a three-game profitable streak following their 0-5-0 begin, taking each of the back-to-back video games on Friday/Saturday in opposition to Chicago and Columbus after their preliminary win in opposition to the Boston Bruins.
Filip Forsberg leads the group in factors and targets, with 4 targets and 4 assists, together with a objective on Saturday. Tommy Novak, who is only one level away from his a hundredth profession NHL level, has three targets and an help on the 12 months. Goaltender Juuse Saros (who is anticipated to begin tonight) was just lately named the NHL’s second star of the week after going 2-0-0 final week with a shutout and a 0.968 save proportion after his powerful 0-4-0 begin to the 12 months.
Steven Stamkos stays to snake-bitten, as the brand new veteran ahead has only one objective and no assists in his eight video games this season. Defenseman Marc Del Gaizo, who was a wholesome scratch in opposition to Columbus on Saturday, has been reassigned to Milwaukee immediately, and so Dante Fabbro is anticipated to begin once more in his place. Defenseman Luke Schenn can be only one level away from his two hundredth profession NHL level.
Nashville boasts the second finest penalty kill within the league, and is second in faceoff proportion as properly, however the different group statistics have them within the backside half of the league: energy play (twentieth), targets for (twenty seventh) and targets in opposition to (twenty fourth). All of those have been improved through the profitable streak, however after a terrific victory in opposition to Boston, Nashville has confronted two weaker groups in Chicago and Columbus, so the hassle should carry over in opposition to the Jap Convention heavyweights.
Projected Strains
Forsberg-O’Reilly-Marchessault
Stamkos-Novak-Nyquist
Jankowski-Sissons-Evangelista
L’Heureux-McCarron-Smith
Josi-Fabbro
Skjei-Schenn
Provider-Lauzon
Saros
(Be aware: lineups are topic to alter)
How one can Watch/Pay attention
The sport will likely be broadcast on Hulu/ESPN+ in addition to 102.5 The Recreation at 6:30 pm Central time.
