Nashville Predators: Big Game Hunting in Western Canada
After several days off, the Nashville Predators take the show to western Canada, hunting for points. Will they walk away empty-handed?
Finally! Hockey is back for fans of the Nashville Predators. Five days – five long, grueling, empty days – without watching our beloved team take to the ice in true hockey action. Yet, behold, the day has arrived and the Predators will play!
When we last left our heroes, they limped away from a defeat at the hands of the Golden Knights. With victory in hand, the Predators allowed a very late game-tying goal. Then subsequently lost the shootout.
The days off were productive for the Predators. Reports of Ryan Johansen and Scott Hartnell returning only help to sharpen the team’s aim. However, they are facing concerns with Kyle Turris after the center was hit by a puck.
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Now, after days of rest and recovery, our Predators make their way to western Canada, doing some big game hunting. While their eye is on a six-point score, they know anything can happen.
Taking aim
The first target of prey for the Predators are the pesky Vancouver Canucks. They came to Nashville mere weeks ago, leaving with an emotional 5-3 win. After three consecutive losses, the Canucks look to beat the Predators on home ice. With a top eight power play, the Canucks must take advantage of the NHL’s most penalized team. If the Predators can subdue the Sedin brothers, their chances to leave with a Canuck-sized trophy improve.
The Nashville Predators leave Vancouver for Edmonton the next day. The Oilers can be lethal, with a keen ability to score. Yet, while threatening, their offense is their best defense. And, when wounded by a penalty, the Oilers are the worst team on the penalty kill. That does not bode well when the Predators are one of the best on the power play. But, a team with Connor McDavid can be victorious on any night.
A day off and things heat up again. This time in Calgary. Another team that got the best of the Predators in Nashville. The Flames are experiencing an up-and-down season, winning couple games then losing a couple. Still, they find themselves in the middle of the hunt for the Pacific division. To win, the Predators must limit penalties, and the Flames struggle to score in 5-on-5 situations.
The Nashville Predators must show well on this trip. Two wins will keep them close with the pack at the top of the Central Division. Winning on the road has long been a concern for the Predators, yet it appears this year is showing change. So far, they are above .500 on the road. If this continues, the Predators will be ready to hunt larger prey.
A big, silver trophy to be exact.