Keys to Watch
Back on Track
The Nashville Predators are struggling early on this season. Since returning back home, the Preds have earned three out of four points in the past two games after winning on Tuesday night against the Ottawa Senators 3-1. Nashville’s chemistry has been in question, and since the game in Arizona, the Predators seem to be playing a more cohesive style of play. There were new acquisitions and the team has been trying to gel, and it seems to have worked. Now, the key to tonight’s game is to stay on track. St. Louis is an excellent team with top notch players that can score at any point. The defensive corps will need to be on their game to win tonight.
Offensive Firepower
Early on, the St. Louis Blues are one of the best team’s in the NHL for offensive production with their top tier players. The falloff for St. Louis is on their bottom lines. The Blues top offensive performer so far is Vladimir Tarasenko. The Yaroslavl, Russia native has the ability to score at any time, especially on the power-play with four power-play points in twelve games. Both Alexander Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk have ten points on the season. This team has the ability to score and the Predators need to lock down defensively tonight against a tough St. Louis squad.
BFF’s Facing Off
Tonight, an interesting sidenote will be the return of Carter Hutton to Nashville as he starts in net for the Blues. Hutton is currently 2-1-0 on the season with .926 save percentage and 2.00 goals against average. For the Predators, Pekka Rinne will be tabbed as the starter. While in Nashville, the newly-acquired Hutton was a fan favorite and it will be interesting to see how the Loyal Legion welcomes him during the announcement of the starting lineups. Once the game begins, the fans will have no mercy on Hutton as the opposing goaltender.
Be sure to catch all of the action tonight as the Predators look to continue their winning ways against a tough division opponent. With a 7:00 pm puck drop, the game can be seen on Fox Sports-Tennessee or you can listen live on 102.5 The Game.
