Nashville Predators Have to Reset Quickly Against Minnesota Wild
By Chad Minton
After giving up five goals in less than five minutes last night, the Nashville Predators have to have a short memory and go in “angry” against Wild.
Captain Roman Josi said it clearly that the Nashville Predators have to go in “mad and angry” as they’re regrouping after a 8-3 crushing loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
Josi set a new career high in goals last night with his 16th of the season, and matched his career high in points with 61.
They’re playing the Minnesota Wild for the first time since late October when Pekka Rinne had the shutout as the Predators won 4-0.
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That seems like an eternity ago, and the Wild are actually very worthy contenders to get a wildcard spot of their own. They’ve outplayed expectations in my book this season.
The two Central Division rivals enter tonight’s game just one point apart, with the Predators at 72 points and the Wild at 71 points.
You’ve got the Jets in action tonight as well, who are also at 72 points. The Wild can find themselves in a wildcard spot tonight with a win and a Jets loss.
Have to play “angry”
We have to hope the Predators have a short memory and are ready to bounce back after taking one on the chin to the Edmonton Oilers.
Predators Head Coach John Hynes has his work cut out for him to get this team back on track quickly. He’s not dodging anything when it comes to calling out the team’s effort, per Robby Stanley of NHL.com:
I applaud the transparency and not sugarcoating things, but now I want to see the response. If this team has any fight left in them, they’ll come in looking like the team that swept the St.Louis Blues not too long ago.
Juuse Saros saw some mop-up duty after Rinne gave up eight goals, yes eight goals, and five of them in the 3rd period. Saros should get the start tonight, so we’ll see how the team plays in front of him.
Something tells me this team is going to respond in a positive way, play with an intensity that they’re capable of and retain their wildcard spot. I could obviously be dead wrong, but I also know better than to count this team officially out.
This team also has much more than wins and losses to play for after the deadly tornado that ripped through Nashville shortly after the game last night. These players love their community and fans, and I’m sure they’ll leave everything they’ve got on the ice to try to bring home a win.
The Predators and Wild will meet two more times after tonight, with one being on the road and one being at home.