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The Nashville Predators just finished a western Canadian swing and was able to pull the broom out with a sweep. In their three games in western Canada against Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary, the Predators were able to get two shutouts and scored 13 goals over this span of games. The Predators will make it back home tonight at Bridgestone Arena to welcome in the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets are 3-5-1 in their last eight games in Nashville, and with the Predators coming back from a long trip, the crowd will be LOUD! The Preds and Jets are two of the best offenses in the Western Conference and the defenses will play a key role in the victory. After an extended road trip, it will be good to have the Predators back in Nashville.
Slow Their Jets
The Winnipeg Jets (19-10-5) are currently sitting at 8th in the NHL in overall points. The Jets average 3.26 goals per game over their 34 contests this season. Blake Wheeler currently leads the Jets with 39 points (8 goals, 31 assists). The 2016 first-round draft pick of the Jets, Patrik Laine, leads the team with 16 goals on the season. The Jets are a very consistent goal-scoring team. The Predators will need to shut down their first two lines and limit their chances. In their last outing, the Jets won against the St. Louis Blues 4-0. The Predators will need to bring their speed and skill against a very talented squad.
Goaltending Streak
The Nashville Predators goaltenders of Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros were on fire over the last three outings. With two shutouts in three games, the Predators are playing as well as they have all season. Pekka Rinne has been a big cause for their success this season. Nashville is designed to win from the back-end to the forwards. Rinne has been that solid force this season with 18 wins (3rd in the NHL), 2.25 goals against average, and .930 save percentage. Juuse Saros struggled early on this year, but now seems to be coming on as of late. Rinne is the projected starter for Nashville tonight.
Tonight, the Predators will make it back home after an extended time away from Nashville. 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 7:00 pm!
