Keys to Watch
Continuing the Momentum
Tonight, the Predators begin a two-game road trip before coming back to Nashville. Their opponent, Buffalo Sabres, are 14-4-3 in their last 21 home games against Western Conference opponents and 12-9-2 in all games against the West this season. The Predators are winners of three straight and are currently third in the Central Division with a record of 31-22-9 with 71 points. The momentum of the past week needs to continue. Their record away from Nashville is not great at 12-15-2. Nashville will need to keep their momentum rolling against a Buffalo team looking to make a last chance push toward the Wild Card in the Eastern Conference.
Dynamic Duo
The Predators must be over the moon due to the recent play of Filip Forsberg and Viktor Arvidsson. Forsberg was recently named the NHL’s First Star of the Week with back-to-back hat tricks and eight goals over the last four games. Arvidsson is scoring well as he has done so for the past three games. He’s also scored 14 points, nine goals and five assists in his last 12 games. Nashville will need both players to keep up their high level of play to come out of Buffalo with a victory tonight. These players, along with the rest of the team, need to continue to play consistently solid hockey.
Stopping Eichel
Jack Eichel has been an exceedingly bright spot for the Sabres this season. He has scored 21 points, six goals and 15 assists, in his last 20 games. Seven of the matches have been multi-point outings for the North Chelmsford, MA native. The Sabres do well when Eichel has at least two points with a record 10-1-0 this season. The Predators will need to keep a check on him as he can produce and put together lots of chances with or without the puck. Keep in mind that Eichel won the overtime game in Nashville for the Sabres just last month.
Tonight, the Predators will look for the fourth win in a row and put some distance between themselves and others in the Central Division. 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 6:00 pm!
