Predators vs. Capitals Preseason Game Preview

by Dirk Hoag on Sep 28, 2011 10:46 AM EDT in Nashville Predators Game Previews

Apparently there are still some tickets available for tonight's preseason contest between the Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals, so just because Alex Ovechkin's not coming, don't let that turn you away. The Preds are 4-1 so far in the preseason, and actually (sit down) are among the league leaders in scoring, with 17 goals through 5 games (Dallas has 18 in 5, and Columbus has 18 in 6). Who knows, you could be among the first to be in the building for a Goo Goo Goal!

Follow after the jump for the rosters heading into tonight's game, along with a few notes...

Japers Rink is your SB Nation resource for all things Caps, so make sure to swing by there. We'll have a Game Thread up later this afternoon, and I'm guessing they will as well.

First up, tonight's roster for Washington. They're bringing 22 to Nashville, so two of these guys will watch from the press box:

Number	Pos	Player	Height	Weight	Birth Date
17	F	DJ King	6-3	230	6/27/84
19	F	Nicklas Backstrom	6-1	210	11/23/87
20	F	Troy Brouwer	6-2	214	8/17/85
21	F	Brooks Laich	6-2	200	6/23/83
22	F	Mike Knuble	6-3	230	7/4/72
25	F	Jason Chimera	6-2	216	5/2/79
27	D	Karl Alzner	6-2	205	9/24/88
28	F	Alexander Semin	6-2	205	3/3/84
33	F	Mattias Sjogren	6-1	209	11/27/87
42	F	Joel Ward	6-2	205	12/2/80
46	D	Patrick McNeill	6-0	197	3/17/87
50	F	Cody Eakin	5-11	179	5/24/91
52	D	Mike Green	6-1	208	10/12/85
55	D	Jeff Schultz	6-6	227	2/25/86
56	F	Chris Bourque	5-8	170	1/29/86
62	D	Sean Collins	6-1	208	10/30/83
74	D	John Carlson	6-3	218	1/10/90
81	D	Dmitry Orlov	6-0	197	7/23/91
83	F	Jay Beagle	6-3	208	10/16/85
85	F	Mathieu Perreault	5-10	175	1/5/88
Number		Goalie	Height	Weight	Birth Date
29		Tomas Vokoun	6-0	216	7/2/76
30		Michal Neuvirth	6-1	199	3/23/88

And for the good guys...

Number	Pos	Player	Height	Weight	Birth Date
2	D	Teemu Laakso	6-1	215	8/27/87
6	D	Shea Weber	6-4	232	8/14/85
8	D	Kevin Klein	6-1	200	12/13/84
10	F	Martin Erat	6-0	201	8/29/81
11	F	David Legwand	6-2	204	8/17/80
13	F	Nick Spaling	6-1	198	9/19/88
15	F	Craig Smith	6-1	197	9/5/89
16	F	Cal O`Reilly	6-0	188	9/30/86
18	F	Niclas Bergfors	5-10	194	3/7/87
20	D	Ryan Suter	6-1	198	1/21/85
22	F	Jordin Tootoo	5-9	199	2/2/83
24	F	Matt Halischuk	6-0	185	6/1/88
27	F	Patric Hornqvist	6-0	188	1/1/87
33	F	Colin Wilson	6-1	210	10/20/89
38	D	Jack Hillen	5-10	190	1/24/86
42	D	Mattias Ekholm	6-4	204	5/24/90
57	F	Gabriel Bourque	5-10	192	9/23/90
74	F	Sergei Kostitsyn	6-0	207	3/20/87
Number		Goalie	Height	Weight	Birth Date
35		Pekka Rinne	6-5	209	11/3/82
39		Anders Lindback	6-6	203	5/3/88

Perhaps what's notable from the Nashville side is who isn't playing - guys like Zack Stortini, Ryan Ellis, and Kyle Wilson are considered to be contending for roster spots, but won't see the ice tonight, while Gabriel Bourque and Craig Smith are. With this lineup, which appears pretty close to what we'll see in the regular season, it will be interesting to watch the line combinations and see who steps to the forefront.

As we've noted before, with Mike Fisher's injury situation, Cal O'Reilly presumably gets the chance to be an offensive leader on this team once again - can he seize the reins?

Those of you who can't attend the game tonight should be able to catch the live stream via the Preds website, although regional restrictions do apply.

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Comments

Return of the 29s!

Someone should put a 29 on that lady who always stops and talks to me when I’m in the middle of a conversation with someone else, even if I have a phone to my ear.

by Patten on Sep 28, 2011 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

Every preseason game is more exciting than the last.

Really looking forward to being able to watch the whole game as this roster gets close to finalized.

We'll miss you Belak...

Go Predators!

by Poiju on Sep 28, 2011 12:19 PM EDT reply actions

you going to the game?

60% of the time it works every time

by Creeping Death on Sep 28, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Can't.

Work nights Mon – Fri and Saturday is sold out, from what I understand. Still going to try to get to Sat’s if I can though.

We'll miss you Belak...

Go Predators!

by Poiju on Sep 28, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Jeremy Smith...

I presumed he was being kept around to play tonight.

Maybe he splits on Friday night before heading back.

by Patten on Sep 28, 2011 12:25 PM EDT reply actions

And extra Mitch Korn time. Actually, I think I answered my own question right there.

by Patten on Sep 28, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Go CAPS

by capsrockva on Sep 28, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

not in our building!

60% of the time it works every time

by Creeping Death on Sep 28, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

off our heads

for a hat trick tonight from the preds!

by Shadow23 on Sep 28, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

D paiing

this is something i am curious about with no blum.

he’s not D, but i was hoping for mueller.

by predwheels on Sep 28, 2011 2:03 PM EDT reply actions

No Blum…No Smithson….No Mueller, Sortini, Ellis or Kyle Wilson.

Gotta assume Smithson and Blum make the big team so who is out when the season begins?

by Predator Don on Sep 28, 2011 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

I have to think they’ll play at some point. Otherwise, why keep them up here?

R.I.P. Belak, Rypien, Boogaard, Lokomotiv.
Part Predator, part Lightning.

by CAustin on Sep 28, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Here’s who is battling for an opening night spot:

Bergfors
Bourque
Ekholm
Ellis
Geoffrion
Halischuk
Hillen
Josi
Mueller
Sloan
Craig Smith
Stortini
Kyle Wilson

There are 3 “open” forward slots (4 if you count Fisher’s for opening night) and 3 open defensive slots (since Cube isn’t ready). Blake and Josi are injured and out of that mix.

I believe the forwards will be Bergfors, Mueller, Smith (in for Fisher’s injury) and Stortini.

As for D, Laakso’s the only one I’m positive is on the opening night roster. I’m pretty sure Hillen would be his partner and Sloan would be the scratch, but Ekholm still has a decent chance, in which case it would be Laaks, Ekholm and Hillen.

So my opinion on the answer to your question: Bourque, Ellis, Geoffrion, Halischuk, Josi and Wilson. And then either Ekholm or Sloan.

Jeremy Smith’s the other to go back, but he’s not competing for the backup spot this year.

by Patten on Sep 28, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions

I have the same “battling for a roster spot” list as you, except I added O’Reilly to the list. I don’t think he is a lock for a roster position at this point.

I have O’Reilly, Bergfors, Stortini, Halischuk making it. Plus one more from whoever plays better in the remaining preseason games from K Wilson, Geoffrion, Mueller, and Smith. One of these guys could bump Cal if they play well.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ekholm make the team, even if he is the healthy scratch. He could choose to return to Europe if he doesn’t make the team and I think the Preds want to see him here.

Bottom line – it’s great that Trotz has some difficult choices to make. Let’s hope all the bubble players play so well in the remaining games that the decision is even more difficult.

by Griz-ATL on Sep 28, 2011 4:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Section 303 Row A

by Preds Fanatic on Sep 28, 2011 3:15 PM EDT via iPhone app reply actions

Agree with predwheels…was hoping to see Mueller in the lineup too. I don’t agree this is the lineup we’ll see opening night. No Blum or Smithson. I really like Bourque and Smith but I don’t think either make the roster. Definite call-ups if injuries occur like last year. Sad to say but I don’t think Mueller makes the opening night roster even though he totally deserves it. He’s played better than Halischuk, who I really like, but he’s got a one-way deal so I don’t see them sending him down. I have always thought Geoffrion was overrated but he’s their future so he stays put.
Trotz already said some decisions will be tough and won’t be fair. Nice problem to have though!

by ninab on Sep 28, 2011 4:37 PM EDT reply actions

One-way and two-way deals don’t affect waiver status. Only affects salary. I don’t think it will factor too much into what they choose to do with anyone. Waiver status will, though, which is why Laaks was pretty much a lock to make the roster…but since he’s probably been the best D-man of the guys competing, it turned out to be a non-issue.

by Patten on Sep 28, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions