Keys to Watch
Series Finale
The Nashville Predators and the Chicago Blackhawks will finish off their season series tonight at Bridgestone Arena. The Blackhawks own a 3-1-0 record versus the Predators this season, including wins in their last three games between the two division rivals. The Preds got a win on opening night in Nashville as their lone win of the year against Chicago. The Predators are in desperate need of a win after their demoralizing loss against the Canadiens.
Stopping the Streaking Blackhawks
The Blackhawks won their sixth consecutive game on Friday against the Islanders. This season, Chicago has four streaks of six or more games. The Predators will be back at home after two games away, and will need to take the momentum from recent home victories against one of the best teams recently in the NHL. Filip Forsberg has points in two-straight home games against Chicago and Nashville will need him to keep up his high level of play to pull out a win tonight against Chicago.
Winning in the Circle
The Predators have a distinct advantage tonight against the Blackhawks. When it comes to wins in the face-off circle, the Preds are a top-ten team and the Blackhawks are a bottom-ten team. The Nashville Predators are currently ranked ninth in the league with a 51.0% win rate, where the Blackhawks are 21st with a 48.6 face-off win percentage. If the Predators want to win the puck possession game, the faceoff circle will be crucial in tonight’s success or failures.
The Predators will be welcomed back home and looking to take down their inter-division rival. There will be, like usual, lots of “red” in the building tonight, so every Preds faithful needs to be in attendance tonight. Be sure to catch all of the action on Fox Sports-Tennessee or you can listen live on 102.5 The Game. Puck drops at 7:00pm!
