Keys to Watch
Seeding Update
Tonight, the Nashville Predators will finalize their regular season schedule as they travel to Canada to take on the Winnipeg Jets. The final game of the regular season this year plays an important role in where Nashville head for the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Option #1: If the Predators win and the Calgary Flames defeat the San Jose Sharks, Nashville will remain the #8 seed to take on Chicago. Option #2: If Nashville wins and St. Louis loses their last two contests in regulation against Carolina and Colorado, the Predators will become the#3 seed to take on the Minnesota Wild. Option #3: If the Predators win and Calgary loses, the Predators will take on the #1 seed from the Pacific Division (Anaheim or Edmonton). There are lots of options tonight for the post-season, but the most important thing aspect tonight is ending the regular season with a win.
Slowing Their Jets
The Nashville Predators go into Winnipeg against one of the hottest teams over the past two weeks of play. The Jets are on a six-game win streak, the longest run the team has been on since relocating to Winnipeg in 2011.Over this span of games, the Jets have wins against St. Louis, Ottawa, Columbus, Vancouver, New Jersey, and Anaheim. Their last lost was a 3-1 lost against the Ducks, the second game of a back-to-back in the state of California. Their offense has been clicking over the past two weeks, scoring 3.83 goals per game. The Predators defense will have a tough test tonight against a strong offensive team in Winnipeg.
Both Goalies Tonight
Peter Laviolette announced that Pekka Rinne will start in net with the possibility of seeing Juuse Saros at some point tonight. The coaching staff wants to get work for both goaltenders heading into the post-season. Over the past five outings, Saros has been inconsistent with games where he gives up only one goal and others where he gives up four. He has played well this season, but does not have the offensive help with a record of 10-8-0-3, 2.35 goals-against average, and .923 save percentage. The Preds need optimal play out of whomever will be in net during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Tonight, the Predators will look toward finding out where they will be when the playoffs begin. Be sure to catch all of the action tonight on Fox Sports-Tennessee or you can listen live on 102.5 The Game. Puck drops at 6:00 pm!
