Blues @ Predators Preview: Central collision

by Marc Torrence on Feb 4, 2012 12:05 PM EST in Nashville Predators Game Previews

Life doesn't get any easier for the post all-star break Nashville Predators. After trips to Minnesota and Philadelphia, the Predators come back home to Nashville tonight to face one of the surprise teams in the Central Division: The St. Louis Blues (7:00 CT; 102.5 The Game).

The Predators and Blues are two of the hottest teams in the league coming into tonight's game. St. Louis has won nine of its last 12 games, and the Predators have only lost three times in their last 16. The two teams are also just a point apart in the standings, so tonight's game is as critical a game as the Predators will play in the Central Division this year.

More after the jump:

The St. Louis Blues

The 2011-2012 Blues look much like the Predators of old. They lead the league in goals against, but are just 22nd in goals for and their powerplay has struggled. A big part of their success belongs to the play of this guy:

Brian Elliott

#1 / Goalie / St. Louis Blues

Height: 6-3

Weight: 201

Born: Apr 09, 1985

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2011 - Brian Elliott	23	1349	15	5		38	1.69	608	570	.938	5

The Predators are 3-0 against the Blues this year, but all three games were tightly contested, and with both sides getting quality play from their goaltenders and defenseman, there's no reason to believe tonight's game will be any different.

For a Blues perspective on tonight's game, be sure to check out St. Louis Game Time.

Nashville Predators

The Predators are finally getting healthy again, and Barry Trotz has had to make some tough decisions lately on who to dress and who to scratch. Brandon Yip got the scratch against Philadelphia in favor of Jerred Smithson, but the Yip-Smith-Halischuk combo played solid minutes against Minnesota. Who should Trotz go with tonight? Sound off in the comments below.

But the key to tonight's game will be Nashville's $7 million man.

Pekka Rinne

#35 / Goalie / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-5

Weight: 209

Born: Nov 03, 1982

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2011 - Pekka Rinne	46	2628	29	11		105	2.40	1374	1269	.924	4

According to Jacob Underwood on twitter (a fantastic follow for Preds fans):

With 3+ days of rest, Pekka Rinne is 3-3 with a 3.68 GAA and .880 SVS%.

In a game between two teams like the Predators and the Blues, goals will be at a premium, so Rinne will have to be on his game for Nashville to have a chance.

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Comments

I hate to do it on his birthday but...

I say sit Smithson. The Smith line looked looks better with Yip in there. Stl is no offensive juggernaut, but they are hard to score against. Thus, trading some defense (Smithson) for some offense (Yip) makes sense. Unfortunately, I doubt Trotz will see things the same way. He’d probably dress 12 Smithsons if he had the choice.

In the name of the Pekka, the Rinne, and the Holy Octopus. Amen.

by Predadave on Feb 4, 2012 12:18 PM EST reply actions

12 Smithsons =

…worst team playoff beards in the history of the league.

Pardon me, I mustache you a question...

by Frattaway on Feb 4, 2012 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

In 6 career games against St Louis

Yip has 5 goals (most were in one game, if memory serves). Nonetheless, I’d rather see Yip scratched myself :-)

Junior Assistant Blogger-In-Training at www.StLouisGameTime.com

by CrossCheckRaise on Feb 4, 2012 3:19 PM EST up reply actions

Also…side note and totally unrelated.

Can someone tell me how to add one of those sweet, “Hey I say funny things on Twitter too” buttons on my signature?

Pardon me, I mustache you a question...

by Frattaway on Feb 4, 2012 12:58 PM EST reply actions

Go to your profile>Edit Account and Settings>It’s the button at the very top.

by ILovethe#6CannonFire on Feb 4, 2012 3:52 PM EST up reply actions

Hillen

based on size alone, needs to be on the sidelines for this tilt

by jeffery101y on Feb 4, 2012 1:04 PM EST reply actions

SIT SMITHERS

we have younger and faster guys w/ more upside that does everything he does except faceoffs

by predswilrule on Feb 4, 2012 1:45 PM EST reply actions

you can’t sit smitty on his birthday!!

by predmama on Feb 4, 2012 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

it should be noted

Halak looks to be starting t
in net for the Blues

Follow @3DLink
Puck And Punk blog: The only music with enough heart for hockey.

by 3DLink on Feb 4, 2012 2:05 PM EST via Android app reply actions

That is correct

Hitchcock has a general rule that if you get a shutout, you start the the next game. Also, this sets up Elliott to start in his return to Ottawa Tuesday.

Junior Assistant Blogger-In-Training at www.StLouisGameTime.com

by CrossCheckRaise on Feb 4, 2012 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

Ah, didn’t realize that. Thanks for clarifying.

Twitter: @OTFMarc: (NHL)
@MarcTorrence: (everything else).

by Marc Torrence on Feb 4, 2012 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

It looks like Smithson will be having a more private birthday party

http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=6159

by ILovethe#6CannonFire on Feb 4, 2012 4:18 PM EST reply actions

We just picked up tix for tonight and now have 2 extra

I don’t want to rip off a fan with fees and will sell ours for face(what we paid). I also don’t want to violate any rules here so let me know if there is a better way to do this.

by predrock on Feb 4, 2012 4:32 PM EST reply actions

where the seats, and how much?

"Get to the Choppa!"

by PredHead on Feb 4, 2012 5:45 PM EST up reply actions

Sorry, we had to leave early to get there and I didn't see your note

We ended up doing an exchange because every friend we tried to give them to was too dang busy or tired. They missed a great game with play-off atmosphere yet again.

by predrock on Feb 4, 2012 11:57 PM EST up reply actions

Happy birthday, Angry Smitty!

Hands go uuppp..... AND THEY STAY THERE!
-nashvillepredators-

by davisca on Feb 4, 2012 5:05 PM EST reply actions

Greetings all

As someone who owns Rinne and Halak in mulitple fantasy leagues, I can only hope for a 1-0 Blues win.

Should be a really good game.

+++St Louis Blues. St. Louis Cardinals. Denver Broncos. +++
also Denver Nuggets, Univ of Denver Pioneers hockey and lacrosse as well as Colorado Mammoth and Colorado Outlaws lacrosse

by HockeyHippie on Feb 4, 2012 6:17 PM EST reply actions

I think you sit Borque tonight

and I wouldn’t be opposed to sending him back down.

hockey connoisseur. t-shirt addict. not famous. nerd.

Follow @TheGr8Kehotay

by Shawn Kehoe on Feb 4, 2012 6:26 PM EST reply actions

Why?

He’s got energy, is in the right place. Preserving his time with the big club is a thought, but not because he isn’t worth having?

by Catwoman on Feb 4, 2012 6:40 PM EST up reply actions

because

he’s gone several weeks without scoring and his line has stopped scoring. Yip & Smithson should be getting his ice time at this point. Coaching staff agreed I guess. Borque was a scratch tonight.

hockey connoisseur. t-shirt addict. not famous. nerd.

Follow @TheGr8Kehotay

by Shawn Kehoe on Feb 4, 2012 10:41 PM EST up reply actions