Nashville Predators
Last night was rough. It was a little better because Ryan Ellis was activated off IR. It’s great to see the redbeard back on the ice. He noted in post-game interviews that he feels like this is a different team than the one he was playing with 20 games ago before his injury. This quote in particular stood out to me:
“When I got hurt, every night was a battle, and we were working, but nothing was happening for us. Tonight, I mean, it felt like years past where we were just buzzing in the O-zone, making good plays, getting chances, and obviously we didn’t connect on any…but it felt, one, good to be back, but two, I think the way the team played, it was definitely not the result, but the identity was there.”
We will see Juuse Saros in net tonight, since Pekka Rinne took last night’s game. Rem Pitlick will certainly be back on the ice, and tonight’s game might feature Tanner Jeannot.
In terms of injuries, there’s been little news about Nashville’s mini-lineup of injured guys. There’s really not too many guys left with Chicago (Josh Healey, Frédéric Allard, Phil Tomasino, Anthony Richard, Cole Smith, and Sean Malone) so…please stop getting hurt.
Dallas Stars
The Stars destroyed the Panthers last night 4-1. The line of Joe Pavelski, Roope Hintz, and Jason Robertson is one to watch tonight. The veteran seems to be handling the kids quite well, dishing pucks to the youngsters for incredible results. Robertson has 11 goals this season and 14 points over his last 15 games. He should be in the Calder Trophy conversation this season.
The Stars are coming to town with momentum, but the Predators have stumbled a bit. It should be an interesting matchup.
Reasons to Watch
- Response. Tonight’s game is about responding to last night’s shellacking. What can be done differently with last night’s game fresh in their minds?
- Keep your eyes on Jason Robertson. He’s one of the Stars’ most dynamic skaters-and a rookie, too!
- Anton Khudobin will likely be in net for the Stars. He seems to get a bunch of starts against Nashville (for a good reason) and he’s a funny personality, but he’s also been carrying the load for the boys in green. /
Tonight’s Theme Song
In honor of the annual Headbangers Brawl played this weekend at Ford Ice Center, here’s Slipknot.
How to Watch
Tonight’s puck drop is at 7:00 Central. BSSO has the broadcast and 102.5 The Game has the radio call.