Behind Enemy Lines: Nashville Predators vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

Playing in their fourth game of the week Tampa Bay comes to Nashville on Hockey Fights Cancer Night against the Predators.

Tonight is Predators defenseman Ryan McDonagh‘s first game against the Lightning since being traded back on July 3 this offseason.

Tampa is looking for a clean sweep to conclude the week after taking down Washington, Dallas, and Calgary. This will be the Lightning’s second of four away games in November this month.

Tonight’s goaltending matchup is between Juuse Saros and Andrei Vasilevskiy. Predators head coach John Hynes confirmed Saros following today’s morning skate.

COLUMBUS, OHIO – OCTOBER 14: Andrei Vasilevskiy #88 of the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on October 14, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

Vasilevskiy has won seven straight against the Predators. Playing In Nashville, he’s posted a 4-0-1 record overall.

The Russian netminder is 7-3-1 versus Nashville with a 2.42 GAA & .913 save percentage.

Saros is 3-4-1 against the Lightning overall with a 3.63 GAA & .880 save percentage. He surrendered nine goals to Tampa Bay last season in two games.

Tampa Bay

Coming into the matchup captain Steven Stamkos rides a 10-game point against Nashville. Last season he had six points in two games against the Predators. Overall Stamkos has 29 points in 22 games played versus Nashville.

This season Stamkos has garnered 19 points in 17 games while playing on the second line with Nick Paul and Alex Killorn.

Leading the way for Tampa is forward Nikita Kucherov. He’s put up 25 points this season and currently sits in the NHL’s top 10 for total points.

Mikhail Sergachev has also been a consistent stalwart for Tampa Bay. With 17 points in 17 games, he’s in sixth place for total points by a defenseman this season.

In the last five games, Sergachev has tallied seven points. His best game this week was against the Capitals scoring two goals and two assists.

The only other teammate who’s come close to four points in a single game this week was Killorn putting up three versus Dallas. Killorn scored the game-winning goal against the Stars on Tuesday night.

Tampa’s Special Teams & Scoring

This season the Lightning are 16-for-68 on the powerplay ranking 9th in the NHL.

Tampa Bay has accumulated the third most powerplay opportunities but has allowed the most shorthanded goals against with five. Nashville has only allowed one shorthanded goal this season.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – NOVEMBER 19: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning plays against the Nashville Predators during the third period at Bridgestone Arena on November 19, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

By each period this season Tampa Bay has been rather even distributing goals.

1st: 20 2nd: 15 3rd: 21

The one edge the Predators have in scoring by period is the second. Nashville has 19 second-period goals, their highest of any period, whereas the second is the Lightning’s worst scoring period.

Tampa Bay has also drawn 86 penalties this season, good for third overall in the NHL, while Nashville isn’t far behind with 80.

Trending. How The Preds Are Finding Their Winning Formula. light

Tonight will be a big test for the Predators attempting to extend their winning streak to four.

Projected Lineup via Daily Faceoff & @Erick_Erlendsson

*Subject to change prior to puck drop*

Forwards

Hagel – Point – Kucherov

Stamkos – Paul – Killorn

Colton – Namestnikov – Perry

Maroon – Bellemare – Balcers

Defense

Hedman – Cernak

Sergachev – Cole

Fleury – Myers

*Bogosian game-time decision*

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