Nashville Predators: Tonight Can Set the Tone for the Season
By Michael Wade
The Nashville Predators’ regular season kicks off tonight in Boston. The young team has a chance to start off with a bang, or risk exposing vulnerabilities.
Although this past offseason was the shortest in Nashville Predators’ history, the wait for a fresh start was often agonizing. The pre-season offered a minor respite, but I think I speak for all of us when I say I’m ready for the real deal.
New beginnings
A matchup with Boston at TD Garden provides an excellent place to kick off a new season. Boston can attack from many angles; they are extremely physical and have electric speed, a pervasive characteristic of the Eastern Conference. If Nashville can spoil Boston’s home opener, other teams will recognize that the Predators haven’t slowed down.
The Bruins’ primary threat will likely be on their first line. Winger David Pastrnak put up 70 points in 75 games last season, just his third in the NHL. He is a master at producing shots and will be itching to get the season going after trade rumors dominated his offseason.
Center Patrice Bergeron is also dangerous, but he’ll sidelined tonight with an injury. Bergeron has claimed the league’s Selke Trophy (best defensive forward) four times in his career. Last season, he put up 53 points in 79 games, and dominated shot production. Although injury is never good, it’s nice the Predators won’t face the full force of the Bruins. All-around rink rat Brad Marchand will probably complete the Bruins’ first line.
Focus is Key
Very few people would argue that the Boston Bruins are the better team in this matchup. The Nashville Predators’ roster was announced earlier this week and will feature most of last year’s stars. The first line will be spearheaded by center Ryan Johansen, who produced 61 points last season. There are a few options for who will accompany Johansen on that line, including Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson, and Kevin Fiala. Yeah, not too bad.
Last season, the Predators had serious problems with consistency. Although they turned it into the most successful year in franchise history, crashing backwards into the playoffs is far from ideal. This time around, the message needs to be clear: never take the foot off the gas.
Unfortunately for Nashville, their season kicks off with two road games – at Boston and Pittsburgh. The two contests obviously won’t determine the outcome of the year, but the team would certainly benefit from a dominant start.
Defensive matchup
Nashville definitely has the upper hand defensively in this game. With Torey Krug on IR, the Bruin’s defense will be led by veteran captain Zdeno Chara and Adam McQuaid. Both guys know their way around a hockey game but will be challenged by Nashville’s younger, faster forwards.
Even with Ryan Ellis out, the Predators have one of the top defensive groups in the NHL. P.K. Subban, who is sure to receive a vocal response from the Bruins faithful, is primed and ready for his sophomore season with Nashville. Captain Roman Josi and Mattias Ekholm aren’t exactly scrubs either. If Josi is given space to show off his offensive prowess, P.K. is allowed to do P.K. things, and Ekholm keeps everything tied up at the back, this game could turn into domination by the Predators.
Follow the game
The game will be broadcast live on Fox Sports TN, starting with pregame coverage at 6:30pm. Pete Weber and Hal Gill will lead the radio coverage starting at 6pm on 102.5 The Game.
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More than anything, I’m ready for puck drop. Hopefully, the Nashville Predators recognize the importance of starting off with a bang, and bring the intensity to Boston tonight.