Keys to Watch
Rebounding
On Tuesday night, the Nashville Predators raised three banners from last season as the Central Division champions, Regular Season Western Conference champions, and Presidents’ Trophy recipient. All were regular season accolades that have never occurred in the history of the Predators franchise. Yet, the team came out and laid an egg with a 3-0 loss to the Calgary Flames. Tonight, the Predators will need to rebound from this demoralizing loss. This will be an easy game to get hyped up about since the Winnipeg Jets come back to town. The last time these two teams faced off was on May 10th during Game 7 of last year’s playoffs. Nashville lost 5-1 and had a huge let down from the previous year’s run at the Stanley Cup. The Predators will be looking to exact a little revenge and put up some massive offensive numbers tonight.
Slowing Down Kyle Connor
One key that could come down to defensive pressure is stopping left-winger Kyle Connor. Connor has scored a goal in every game this year and leads the Jets in total points with four. The Shelby Twp., Michigan native is a threat to score on the power-play and knows how to contribute as a first-round draft pick. Connor is a speedy forward that knows how to find himself in the right place at the right time. By far, he has been the Jets best offensive threat early on this season and will look to continue his offensive prowess against Nashville tonight.
Breaking Through Offensively
The Nashville Predators forwards must step up offensively. The Predators are currently being led in points by Mattias Ekholm and PK Subban. Nashville’s only player with more than one goal is Viktor Arvidsson and there should be some concern if you are a team that gets shut out within the first three games of the regular season. The offensive push should come tonight against a team that is built similar to the Nashville Predators. It is of some concern, but the Predators are in desperate need of some offensive production tonight. The Jets know how to put up some goals. We all saw that during last year’s playoffs. It is time Ryan Johansen, Kyle Turris, Nick Bonino, and others to step up and put some points on the scoreboard.
Tonight’s rematch of the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs will be a test for the Nashville Predators. 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!
