Nashville Predators vs. San Jose Sharks Preview: Going Fishing

The Predators face the San Jose Sharks tonight at Bridgestone. It’s the 100th consecutive sellout at the Bridge, and you can bet the crowd will be rowdy.

San Jose will likely be looking for a little revenge from last month’s stomping.

Also, Eeli Tolvanen is in the 615.

The Nashville Predators

The Predators got back to business on Tuesday. A tight game against Minnesota resulted in an overtime win by the good guys. Goaltender Devan Dubnyk, an off-season Olympic diver, was largely the reason Minnesota was able to stay in the game. Pekka Rinne was spectacular in net for the Preds.

It seems that Eeli Tolvanen has made his way to Nashville from Helsinki. He’s wearing #11 for Nashville and has now signed an ELC, but is not skating on a line. Rather, he’s taking line rushes with various combinations, including Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson.

Here’s what the forward lines looked like this morning:

It appears Austin Watson will still be out of the lineup as he heals from his injury.

Expect a rotating defense with Yannick Weber also out with an injury. Alexei Emelin or Anthony BItetto could slot in with Matt Irwin.

There’s not much else I can add about the goaltenders. Both are excellent, both are Finnish. The Predators cleaned up their net-front work on Tuesday, ensuring the goaltender could see the puck and clearing rebounds away from the net. It does look like Juuse Saros could start tonight per updates from the Preds’ morning skate.

The San Jose Sharks

Trade deadline acquisition Evander Kane has been lighting it up for San Jose. He had a four-goal game a while back, an he is a new threat on a largely aging crew of Sharks.

Defenseman and bearded man-bun cool guy Brent Burns leads the Sharks in points. He has 11 goals and 51 assists for 62 points. Captain Joe Pavelski has 20 goals and 41 assists for 61 points. Logan Coture has 57 points.

The Sharks have 13 players over 20 points this season, including the injured Joe Thornton. Thornton could return for the playoffs.

In net, the Sharks have young Aaron Dell (.913 SVC) and veteran Martin Jones (.918 SVC).

Memories and Feelings

-Here’s a nice memory:

-Here’s some additional feelings involving #TolvanenTime:

Reasons to Watch

-A win tonight would make the 2017-2018 Nashville Predators the best team in franchise history in terms of total points on the season.

-More tight defensive checking from our handsome defensemen.

-#Pekka4Vezina

-Eeli Tolvanen rapelling in from the rafters before the third period. (Bridgestone would explode if this actually occurred.) He is, however, practicing with the team. Welcome, #11.

Tonight’s Theme Song

“Southern Comfort Zone” by Brad Paisley.

How to Watch

As always, tonight’s game will be on Fox Sports-TN. Willy Daunic and Chris Mason have the call, and Terry Crisp and Lindsay Rowley provide analysis before, during, and after the game. The radio call is on 102.5 The Game, and puck drop is at 7 pm Central.