Facing Trotz
After coming off an opening night victory against the New York Rangers, the Nashville Predators will go into the second match of the season against the 1-0-0 New York Islanders and their new coach, Barry Trotz. Trotz moved from winning the Stanley Cup with Washington to a new look Islanders team. New York is coming off a 2-1 victory in overtime against the Carolina Hurricanes. Trotz has brought that defensive style of play to New York that he was known for as the head coach in Nashville. The Predators will need to figure out ways to break the rubik’s cube that can be a Trotz-led team.
Figuring Greiss Out
If there’s one thing we know about any team led by Barry Trotz, he has great play in net. Thomas Greiss was phenomenal in the game against Carolina stopping 45 of 46 total shots with a save percentage of .978. Offensively, the Islanders didn’t meet his expectations with only 20 shots on net, but the defense played well. The Nashville Predators need to bring pressure early and often to get to Greiss. If they can get him to move from post-to-post, they should be able to break his dominate play from the first game of the season.
Saros Starting
Juuse Saros is expected to get his first start of the season at Barclays Center tonight. Granted, Head Coach Peter Laviolette would not confirm, nor deny that the young Forssa, Finland native would be the starter tonight. Saros was the first goaltender off the ice during the morning skate, and all indications are leaning that he will be in net against the Islanders. Last season, Saros played in 26 games, posting a record of 11-5-0-7, 2.44 goals-against average, 749 total saves, .925 save percentage, and 3 shutouts. Each season, the coaching staff has given Saros more minutes, and it seems like this year will be no different.
The Nashville Predators will look to go 2-0-0 on the road trip before coming home for Opening Night on Tuesday. 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 6:00pm!
