Tonight's game will seem like something is missing. That something is a player that has been with the organization for 15 years. David Legwand was the first ever draft pick by the Nashville Predators, second overall. Yesterday, at the deadline, Nashville moved on from the lifelong Predators in exchange for a waning Patrick Eaves, a promising prospect in Calle Jarnkrok, and a precious draft pick. The trade makes sense for the long term, but it is also a move that cries "not this year" for Nashville's playoff hopes. The roster will undoubtedly be shaken up moving forward.
St. Louis has been a force as of late and the addition of Ryan Miller has made the squad even better. Rinne will have his work cut out for him in his second game back as the Blues have brought a solemn tone to Broadway over their last few trips. Nashville will look to shut down TJ Oshie and the scoring attack of the blues and likely rely on scoring from the back as they typically have had to do. If there is one thing to look forward to, it is that St. Louis routinely takes a lot of penalties and if the Nashville powerplay squad can step up they can keep the Predators in this one.
Colin Wilson will be moved up to the center of the first line, a position that has been coming for a long time. I have always thought Wilson possessed the talent to be a star in this league and tonight marks the next step in the right direction. The Predators will need some offensive ingenuity as well as some faceoff dominance from Legwand's replacement, but if anyone can deliver it will be the big 33. Wilson is a physical player with imposing size, his puck control is evident and now playing on a line with experienced players on the wing he can potentially make something happen for the ailing Predators scoring attack.
As the season progresses the Predators position for the playoffs will likely influence how many prospects the Predators bring up for experience. Simon Moser was reassigned to the minors after struggling to make an impact in the last couple of games. Jarnkrok has spent some time on the ice with Filup Forsberg in the world championships and I for one would like to see the two on the ice in Predators jerseys. Time will tell how much of a sneak peak Poile and Trotz will give us, but a fan can dream can't I?
Prediction: Nashville 2, St. Louis 4
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