Nashville Predators @ Dallas Stars Preview: No Rest For The Wicked
by Dirk Hoag on Dec 23, 2011 7:00 AM EST
in Nashville Predators Game Previews
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After pulling out a last-minute victory over Columbus last night, the Nashville Predators hustled out of town for a Friday night matchup with the Dallas Stars (7:30 p.m. on FS-TN), the first meeting between these two teams this season. The Stars jumped out to an early lead in the Pacific Division, but have recently been caught by San Jose. So from their perspective, Dallas will be looking to earn a crucial home win and hang on to first place.
Follow after the jump for a brief breakdown!
Tale Of The Tape
| Nashville (18-12-4) at Dallas (19-13-1) | |||||||
| NSH Offense vs. DAL Defense | DAL Offense vs. NSH Defense | ||||||
| 5-on-5 | |||||||
| GF/60 | SF/60 | Shoot % | GA/60 | SA/60 | Save % | ||
| NSH Offense | 2.1 (24th) | 25.5 (29th) | 8.3 (15th) | 2.3 (8th) | 31.3 (27th) | 928 (7th) | NSH Defense |
| DAL Defense | 2.6 (18th) | 31.7 (30th) | 918 (13th) | 2.4 (16th) | 29.7 (14th) | 7.9 (23rd) | DAL Offense |
| GA/60 | SA/60 | Save % | GF/60 | SF/60 | Shoot % | ||
| Special Teams | |||||||
| NSH PP vs. DAL PK | DAL PP vs. NSH PK | ||||||
| GF/60 | SF/60 | Shoot % | GA/60 | SA/60 | Save % | ||
| NSH 5-on-4 | 7.1 (5th) | 50.9 (13th) | 13.9 (7th) | 6.5 (19th) | 52.6 (22nd) | 876 (18th) | NSH 4-on-5 |
| DAL 4-on-5 | 7.0 (23rd) | 52.5 (21st) | 867 (19th) | 5.0 (23rd) | 40.0 (30th) | 12.6 (12th) | DAL 5-on-4 |
| GA/60 | SA/60 | Save % | GF/60 | SF/60 | Shoot % | ||
The Stars are one of a few teams (including Minnesota and yes, Nashville) whose underlying Shots For & Against numbers suggest that they're due for a dropoff compared to the Win/Loss record they've assembled so far. Hopefully the Preds' PK group can settle things down against one of the league's lesser power plays.
Dallas Stars
The Stars have been a streaky team this season, starting at 11-3, then going through a rough patch before getting back on track recently with four wins in their last 6 games. For the scoop on all things Dallas, head over to Defending Big D.
Nashville Predators
The big question with the Predators will be whether or not Kevin Klein will be ready to play, after missing the last two contests with the flu.
With 3 assists against the Blue Jackets, look who has taken over the team scoring lead:
And in goal? The plan heading in to this set was for Pekka Rinne to play against both Columbus and Dallas, but does last night's game impact that thinking at all? I would doubt it, but you never know...
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I can’t remember who said it, I believe in the pregame show last night, but Klein was not going to be making the trip to Dallas and, with the holiday weekend, he would be questionable for Monday’s game as well due to lack of conditioning and game speed. But it’s possible that could have changed.
What?! My goodness, he’s played his best games just recently. Maybe that’s the secret and Trotz doesn’t know it! Don’t tire the boy out! He needs all his strength to do good in the game! :p}
"I am you, you are me, and we are all together" Beatles
Top 10 Bloopers
Puck Daddy’s 10 worst hockey bloopers of 2011. The Preds have 2, including the #1 spot (hint: it involves an empty net): here
Go Preds!
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
by cisar on Dec 23, 2011 3:07 PM EST via Android app reply actions
I may be on my way to Nashville in January!
I could possibly be coming to visit Nashville from Hamilton, Ontario! I’m coming to watch a whole week’s worth of Predators action! If this trip were to happen, it will be from Jan 1-8. I will have tickets to the Flames, Stars and Canes. Can’t believe I might finally see my first Predators game. This is insane! I cheer the chants from home watching via Gamecenter Live! I will try to get tickets in section 303 or near there. Anyone know any great places I could visit while I stay in Nashville?
Once again, this is not a guaranteed trip yet, but very likely to happen!
A Preds fan from Hamilton, Ontario!
Bring that Balsille guy with you………so we can put a wuppin on his rear end!
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Dec 23, 2011 4:16 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Examining his companies stock price…..He has already taken a wuppin.
My hockey team is better than your hockey team
by Predator Don on Dec 23, 2011 6:25 PM EST up reply actions
What do you like? Music, art, drinking?
World Wide Weber.
There is no tenderness or humanity in fanaticism.
~Joe Strummer
by cisar on Dec 23, 2011 4:29 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
I imagine that Bachman will be in goal for the Stars, so put a lot of shots on him. He’s a little guy who doesn’t control his rebounds very well.
Always worry about playing a decent team like Dallas after a game against the reigning jokers of the NHL (the Jackets, of course). All those easy breakout passes and entries into the offensive zone will be much harder to make against a team like Dallas.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Dec 23, 2011 4:21 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Actually
Bachman’s best attribute is rebound control.
Defending Big D- Dallas Stars news & analysis
@brandonworley - Follow me on Twitter!!
by Brandon Worley on Dec 23, 2011 4:56 PM EST up reply actions
I watched big chunks of both the Stars games against the Devils & Flyers and his rebound control was not good in those games at all. Maybe I just caught him on some bad nights, but he looked succeptable on rebounds.
Defense keeps you in games........offense wins them!
by Grizzledbear on Dec 23, 2011 6:33 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
GO PRED GO!!
Please destroy the Stars. My Minnesota heart will never forgive Norm Green and the franchise for moving to Dallas. I’m really hoping that you totally devastate the Stars tonight.
You know you're a Wild fan if Spam Whoopie Gerald-buns comes up in conversation
Regressing all the way back to high school hockey.
Anybody else
Going to Brewhouse South in Cool Springs to watch the game tonight?
"Life is but a knife blade, anyways. Sooner or later you slip and get cut." Charlie Goodnight from Streets of Laredo by Larry McMurtry.
Feel free to follow me on twitter @vols7381
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Dirk Hoag is the Forechecker, churner of NHL stats & analysis, and managing editor of On the Forecheck.
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