Nashville Predators: Let’s Build Some Momentum against Detroit

After a stunning win on Saturday night against Columbus and a two-day break, the Nashville Predators look to build on their momentum when they head out on the road to take on the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday.

After failing to put up any goals against the Blue Jackets last Thursday, the Predators opened the floodgates against them on Saturday. They scored four goals against Columbus, who couldn’t handle the newfound intensity of a Predators team that has struggled.

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The offensive production was a welcome sight after watching the Predators struggle to score goals or play all season consistently.

Saturday’s win was the best all-around game and win that we have seen so far. Now they have to try to string together a winning streak, which hasn’t been more than two in a row all season.

The Predators must capitalize on this recent win and not look past a Detroit team that has beat some of the best in the Central Division.

Detroit Can Derail The Predators Further

This matchup has the makings of being a battle for last place between two mediocre teams. Both are struggling badly in key statistical categories like power play percentage, penalty killing and goals per game.

The Red Wings are coming off of a win against the Florida Panthers on Saturday. Detroit has also beat the Carolina Hurricanes, who sit at the top of the Central Division for the moment.

A win against Nashville will move the Red Wings up a spot in the division and put the Predators in the official division basement, and it’s not cozy down there. Beating Nashville twice could put Detroit in sixth place, so wins are crucial for them right now.

The Red Wings split the last two games with the Predators, but got a decisive victory in their previous meeting, derailing Nashville’s momentum and putting them on a two-game losing streak.

The Red Wings will need to be ready as the Predators are beginning to play more complete games. They upped their intensity level in the past two against Columbus, so Detroit may have some work to do to get a victory this time.

Are The Nashville Predators Surging?

Although the Predators lost the first game against Columbus, they started to do some things right in that game. They were able to control the puck, spend more time in the offensive zone, and stay out of the penalty box.

In their second meeting, the Predators built on what worked in the first game. They raised their intensity level even further and controlled the Blue Jackets throughout most of the game.

The Predators will still be without Mattias Ekholm, who is on IR and listed week-to-week. There is a glimmer of hope that Ryan Johansen and Brad Richardson could return for Tuesday’s game.

Filip Forsberg still leads the team in points and added to his goal total against Columbus. It will be good news for the Predators if Forsberg goes on a hot streak as they still struggle to find the back of the net.

If Johansen gets back into the lineup, Head Coach John Hynes could see more production out of Viktor Arvidsson. Arvidsson has struggled since Johansen’s injury. His return could be the spark that he desperately needs.

Another question will be goaltending. Both Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros have been hot and cold all season. Rinne had a good showing in the last game against Columbus.

Hynes has a big goaltending decision to make, but Rinne has been the sharper goaltender with a modest .908 save percentage, but only allowing 2.65 goals per game.

The Predators’ season is hanging on by a thread. A full-blown rebuild of the team, coupled with trade talk of key players, and even potential leadership changes in the front office, are distractions that this team doesn’t need.

When things start to look up for the Predators, something happens to knock them back down.

If the Predators have indeed turned a corner, they need to put the distractions out of their minds, remember what got them to their low point, and execute their gameplan.

The Columbus win was a starting point. This first game against Detroit needs to be a building block for the rest of this short season.

The game starts at 6:30 P.M. CDT and, as usual, will be televised regionally on Fox Sports Tennessee.  Follow along with us on Twitter for up-to-date action in the game!