Nashville Predators look for revenge against the Red Wings

(Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Nashville Predators head to Detroit to take on the Red Wings tonight in the second game of a back to back.

The Nashville Predators finally got back to their winning ways last night as they beat down on the Ottawa Senators, 5-2. After a two-game skid, the Predators looked like their normal self, as they played a complete game with power-play goals and solid goaltending from Pekka Rinne. Viktor Arvidsson showed out for the Predators as he scored two goals, making him the first Predators player to score 20 goals on the year. After not scoring on the power-play for six games, Nashville was able to connect on two power-play goals last night, as both Roman Josi and Ryan Ellis picked up a goal.

The Predators now head up to the north to face the Detroit Red Wings. Tonight’s game will be the second in as many nights for the Predators. The Predators just faced off against the Red Wings on Saturday, losing that game 3-1.

Detroit Red Wings

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The Detroit Red Wings, despite being one of the most storied franchises in the NHL, have struggled as of the last few years. The Red Wings had appeared in the playoffs for 25 consecutive seasons, but broke that streak last year, as they had a record of 33-36-13. Despite the Red Wings struggles, they have won seven straight games against the Predators.

The Red Wings will likely be left out of the playoffs yet again, as they currently have a record of 24-24-9, with just 57 points. They are currently 13th in the Eastern Conference and are seven points away from the Carolina Hurricanes, who hold the 8th playoff spot to this point. The Red Wings still have a chance to make the playoffs, but will need to finish the season out hot.

The Red Wings have started to make moves before the trade deadline, as they traded away Petr Mrazek last night. They traded Mrazek to the Philadelphia Flyers for draft picks in the 2018 and 2019 draft.

The Predators need to keep an eye out tonight for Dylan Larkin and Henrik Zetterberg. Larkin leads the Red Wings with 43 points, as he has nine goals and 34 assists on the year.  Zetterberg, the Red Wings captain, has 40 points on the year, with eight goals and 32 assists.

Lineup Changes

Forwards

Filip Forsberg – Ryan Johansen – Viktor Arvidsson

Kevin Fiala – Kyle Turris – Craig Smith

Scott Hartnell – Nick Bonino – Calle Jarnkrok

Miikka Salomaki – Colton Sissons – Austin Watson

Defense

Roman Josi – Ryan Ellis

Mattias Ekholm – P.K. Subban

Alexei Emelin – Yannick Weber

Goaltenders

Juuse Saros

Pekka Rinne

What to Expect

The Nashville Predators are playing in the second game of a back to back, so I expect the Predators to be tired. The Red Wings have had the Predators number lately, so I expect the Predators take that to heart. They want to end this losing streak to the Red Wings and what better place to do that than in Detroit. If the Predators can come out firing like they did last night against the Senators, they will have a great chance to break the losing streak.

Next: Preds fall in Power Rankings

Follow the Game

The game will be televised on Fox Sports Tennessee, as the puck drops around 6:30 PM. You will also be able to listen to the game on 102.5 The Game.