On Thursday night, the Predators squandered another early game lead. After going up 2-0 on the Minnesota Wild, the Wild got four unanswered goals to win 4-2. This seems to be a reoccurring theme late this season.
Both Nashville goals came in the first period by Filip Forsberg (25) at 2:58 and Seth Jones (8) at 10:29. The collapse was about ready to set in and Coach Peter Laviolette was visibly upset at the end of the game.
During the second period, Nashville allowed two goals back-to-back, once again. At 17:12, Jason Zucker scored a PPG, and 31 seconds later, Marco Scandella beat Pekka Rinne high, stick side to tie up the game.
Tacking on two more goals in the 3rd allowed for the Wild to come out with the victory.
Tonight, the Preds are in Dallas for their final game of the 2014-15 regular season.
The Dallas Stars are coming off a 4-0 win vs the Anaheim Ducks. The Stars had an outstanding 2nd period with three goals from Vernon Fiddler, Jordie Benn, and a PPG from Patrick Eaves. Eaves would get his 2nd of the night at 11:44 of the 3rd period.
LW Jamie Benn is vying for the NHL point title with his 32 goals, 51 assists, and 83 total points. Dallas’ Tyler Seguin leads the team with 37 goals.
Morning skate videos
Carter Hutton
Filip Forsberg
Ryan Ellis
Keys to Watch
Epic Collapse
The first half of this NHL season was very promising for the Nashville Predators. Much of the season had the Predators at the top of the NHL and the Central Division. Nashville is 0-3-2 in their last five games. On February 24th, the Preds had a nine point lead on the division. Nashville will finish second in the Central and will face either Chicago or Minnesota in the first round of the NHL Playoffs.
The Band is Back together!
Early this season, the Preds had a great thing going with Filip Forsberg, Mike Ribeiro, and James Neal on the same line. Coach Laviolette decided to switch some of the lines around. When James Neal returned from injury, Laviolette put this line back together and it has been a positive sight to see. This line has produced three goals and four assists over the last five games. 9, 18, and 63 will have to lead this team offensively through the playoffs.
Who sits tonight?
Nashville has already locked second place and home-ice advantage during the first round of the NHL Playoffs. So, what would be the point in playing Josi, Weber, or Rinne? Insert Bartley, Volchenkov, and Hutton to give them some work and give the defensive stars some rest. These players have put in lots of TOI and will be the mold for victory for the Preds in the postseason. (Update – Weber, Josi, Franson and Fisher will all sit tonight. Expect Carter Hutton in net.)
The Predators look to close out the regular season with a win vs the Dallas Stars tonight. You can catch all of the action on FOX Sports Tennessee or you can listen live on 102.5 The Game. Puck drops at 7:00 pm CDT.
