The Nashville Predators struggled mightily against the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday night. In a 5-2 loss, the Preds were down 3-0 before Mattias Ekholm scored late at the end of the 1st period. Early in the 2nd period, Henrik Zetterberg scored a PPG and Nashville was unable to recover from this margin.
On Tuesday night, the Predators will play their last game before the NHL All-Star break as they travel to Montreal to take on the Canadiens at 6:30 CST.
The Canadiens (28-13-3) last faced off against the NY Islanders. In this outing, the Canadiens were victorious 6-4 with a 3rd period frenzy of goals. With 10 goals in the game, half were scored in the 3rd period alone.
The Canadiens are looking to have their outstanding goalie, Carey Price, up for this last one before the break. Price has appeared in 35 games on the season with 2.19 GAA, .927 SV%, and a record of 23-10-2.
On the season, Max Pacioretty leads the team in points with 38 (21 goals, 17 assists). Andrei Markov leads the team in assists with 20.
Keys to Watch
What to do?!
In their last game, the Predators struggled. That has been beaten into the ground by MANY on social media. So, with that being said, what will the organization do regarding a perceived lack of goaltending in the absence of Pekka Rinne. Some are calling for a trade, others are calling for Milwaukee goalie, Magnus Hellberg, to be called up to see what he can do, and some are just complaining. While Rinne is out, there must be a solution.
The Offensive-Defenseman
The Toronto, ON, Canada native, P.K. Subban, has been the epitome of an offensive weapon in the system of the Montreal Canadiens. On the season, Subban has given the team 10 goals and 19 assists and is currently tied for 3rd on the team in points. He is a danger in the offensive zone and the Preds will have to account for him when he has the puck. Subban is the Canadiens’ version of Shea Weber.
Comfort in the Laviolette System
As of recent, Predators defenseman, Mattias Ekholm, has been producing at a high level. With 5 goals and 8 assists on the season, Ekholm has been able to produce and be effective while on the ice. In the last two games, Ekholm has two goals and has shown the ability to make his shots count. Of his two goals, they have come on 3 shots. With an increased role in this new system, Ekholm is thriving, getting 22:33/TOI in his last game. The best is yet to come for this Borlange, Sweden native.
Before Nashville makes it to the All-Star break, they look to get out of Montreal with a win. The Preds have gone all year without giving up back-to-back losses. Nashville vs Montreal will be shown on FS-Tennessee or you can listen live on 102.5 The Game.
