Nashville Predators vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Rewind

Final: Predators 3, Lightning 2

The Predators had a lot of rust coming in off the break and Tampa Bay used their offensive speed to exploit it early forcing turnovers in the offensive zone.  St. Louis capitalized and lit the lamp twice in the first 10 minutes of the opening period.  The Predators looked sluggish and sloppy in the first stanza and Tampa Bay controlled the pace of the game.  During the first intermission Gabriel Borque, one of the few predators that didn't look lost, said that the team wasn't ready for the intensity that the Lightning started the game with.  Ryan Clune saw to it that the Predators woke up in the second with a fight that saw him doing much of the punching, but with little damage done on either side.  The predators fed off the energy of the stadium shutting down Tampa Bay's space in the neutral zone and spending quality minutes on the forecheck grinding the Lightning players down in the corners.  Intensity and energy swayed the game for Nashville's benefit.

As the preview stated, the key to the game was special teams and defense.  While Carter Hutton appeared at ease in the crease for the majority of the game, it was due to the work his blue-liners gave him in front of the net.  Hutton faced a grand total of 16 shots and while the first score by St. Louis was unstoppable the second was unforgivable.  The puck hit Hutton's glove, fell between his pads, and slowly trickled across the line.  The defense responded by closing out on shooters early while Josi and Ellis showed exceptional use of the stick with adept poke checking.  Another notable example was a particularly phenomenal block late in the third period by Shea Weber on rookie Tyler Johnson.

All three of Nashville's goals came on the power play.  Their efficiency improved their special teams unit from 7th best in the league up to 5th.  While they struggle to score at even strength the Predators continue to be able to execute with a man advantage.  If they can keep this up and balance it with discipline on defense I think the Predators could ride this unit to prolonged success.

Rinne close to NHL ready

Barry Trotz has let it slip that Rinne may return to the ice at some point during this home stand.  He is currently in Milwaukee where he will likely start on Friday and again on Sunday should he feel prepared to.  Following Sunday the Admirals have a 4 day off-period that may be tabbed for Rinne's return to Nashville.  Predators fans rejoice, we may see the Fin back between the pipes as early as next weekend! What impact will this have on Nashville's playoff hopes? Only time will tell...

Nashville Predators - Tampa Bay Lightning Preview

The Predators kick off the final quarter of the season with a tough home game against a talented Lightning team at the top of the Eastern Conference.  The only appealing element of tonight's contest for Nashville is that Steven Stamkos is still out to recover from his broken leg.  Bishop will likely be between the pipes and his sub-2 GAA doesn't bode well for a Nashville team that struggles to score.  If the Predators can shut down Martin St. Louis, the Lightning's leader in all scoring categories, they will have to worry about the return of Valtteri Filppula, a familiar foe that always gave them problems during his time in Detroit.

Still, the Predators have a lot to play for and a talented roster that always seems to come into its own at the end of the season.  Shea Weber and Roman Josi are both coming off strong Olympic campaigns and will bolster a defense that will likely prove more formidable now that Mike Del Zotto has had time to settle in Nashville.  Trotz recently stated that Carter Hutton is still the starting goaltender, but his 7.09 GAA against the Lightning is a bit concerning.  If the play in front of him improves as it should, I expect we will see that number decrease substantially.  It will be up to Nashville's forwards and powerplay lines to keep up with the scoring of the Lightning.  Tampa Bay averages 5-6 penalties a game and Bridgestone usually affords its fair share of frustration penalties.  If the Preds can stay out of the box, shut down St. Louis and the other scorers, and the special teams can convert I think Nashville can pull this one out.

Prediction: Nashville 4, Tampa Bay 3

Post-Olympic Break Preview

As the NHL season resumes following the end of the Sochi games, the Predators can look forward to what promises to be an interesting wild card race in the West.  With 5 teams vying for the final spot and separated by merely 4 points, every game is essentially a must-win for the inconsistent Nashville squad.  Bridgestone Arena continues to be a hostile environment for visiting teams and with a 5-game home stand to open up following the Olympic break, the Predators hope to make up some ground early.  Let's look at some other storylines to watch in the Music City for the next few months.

1.  How soon will Pekka Rinne make his return?

Even more importantly, how will he play when he finally breaks back into the lineup?  The Predators have an astonishingly bad -34 goal differential this season.  As a franchise that has historically embodied the "defense first" mentality this number is a bit uncharacteristic, but not surprising given their youth on the blue line.  Mazanec and Hutton held their own at the beginning of the season, but eventually talent and experience caught up with them.  The addition of Dubnyk seemed like it would curb some of the goaltending woes, but his recent performances in Edmonton have followed him down South.  Rinne headed to Milwaukee for what we can all hope is a brief rehabilitation stint, and the Predators will certainly hope that the second of their stars will make his presence felt shortly.

2. What will happen to the original Predator?

Trade rumors have been swirling around the league concerning David Legwand.  He is undoubtedly one of the most attractive options at center for potential buyers, and with his impending free agency looming David Poile may be forced to shop him at the deadline.  If an offer comes involving some draft picks or a young prospect, it may be very tempting to part with the Nashville-lifer given the Predators aptitude for drafting well and developing talent.  However, Legwand leads the team in points and assists, has a no-trade clause, and has a family that adores Nashville.  I would love to see him spend his entire career here, but the idea of Legwand getting a chance to win a championship as a rental and then return to the Music City this Summer in free agency sounds like a good thing for everyone involved.

3.  How will Del Zotto fit into the Predators system?

This acquisition offers two storylines to examine.  Will the Predators make some additional moves and turn into buyer rather than sellers at this deadline? Poile has proven every year to be one of the brightest GM's in the league with one eye on the present and one eye on the future (I suppose his recent injury may suggest otherwise, but nonetheless he is one of the best).  With the addition of MDZ all 3 blue line shifts have 2 players playing on their natural side.  Seth Jones explained today on a local radio show that this provides an incredible advantage for him personally, and he is excited to play on a pairing with a like-minded player.  If MDZ can return to the form of the early portion of the year, one could argue that as Josi and Jones develop the Predators could have one of the most formidable defensive corps in the league.

More storylines coming tomorrow followed by a brief preview of the Predators-Blues matchup that kicks off the next half of the season in Nashville!