Nashville Predators: Predators Look To Ground High Flying Jets
The red-hot Nashville Predators return home to face the Winnipeg Jets. Both teams will look to flex their offensive muscles in the Central Division clash.
Winnipeg flies through Nashville on Tuesday night as a stalling Jets team looks to kickstart a win streak. After an excellent start to the season, the Jets have faltered a bit with a record of 4-4-2 in their last 10 games. The faithful north of the border aren’t too worried though, as they’re still third in the Central and only three points behind the leading Nashville Predators.
Meanwhile, the Predators are probably just happy to sleep in their own beds. Their recent three-game road trip through Western Canada proved to be a complete success as the Predators collected six out of six points. Granted, those games were mixed bags. The Predators routed the Canucks, won a hard-fought battle against the Flames, but got crushed in Edmonton. Never underestimate the power of a few nights of rest as well as some home cooking though. The added bonus of controlled opposition helps too as the Predators look to down a dangerous Jets team.
When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way
The Jets are currently missing two of their big defensive pieces in Dustin Byfuglien and Toby Enstrom. Byfuglien is out until after Christmas and will be missed as he had 15 points in 26 games. Enstrom hasn’t been his usual self this season as he only has two points in 19 games, but was still a decent player. Otherwise, the Jets are at full power and will look to demonstrate it.
Patrik Laine is having a mediocre season by his standards with 16 goals and 11 assists in 34 games so far. He currently leads the NHL in power play goals so the Nashville Predators better play it safe. Mark Scheifele continues his reign of terror on the NHL as he continues to score and assist. He’s rocking a pretty nice 15 goals and 21 assists in 34 games as well. He’s scary in any situation and can make the Predators pay from anywhere on the ice. Then there’s the captain, Blake Wheeler. The often underrated American is having a breakout season after many good ones. Wheeler has 8 goals and 31 assists and is one of the best possession driving wingers in the NHL. His presence will be felt whenever he’s on the ice.
The goaltending, for once in Winnipeg and in Paul Maurice’s head coaching career, has been above average. Connor Hellebuyck owns a .920 save percentage and has 17 wins in 27 games this season. It looks like he’ll get the start and the Jets will need him to be lights out against the Nashville Predators.
The Nashville Predators
The lines have been switched up a little bit, most notably the JoFA line has been reunited.
Forsberg-Johansen-Arvidsson
Fiala-Turris-Smith
Jarnkrok-Bonino-Watson
Hartnell-Sissons-Aberg
Josi-Ekholm
Emelin-Subban
Irwin-Weber
Starting goaltenders have not been announced but Pekka Rinne will most likely get the start.
Where to watch
The puck drops at 7PM Central on Fox Sports Tennesse, or you can hear it on 102.5 The Game. Pre-game starts at 6:30PM.