The Nashville Predators are back in action tonight after a big loss to Calgary on Thursday. They’re facing the Dallas Stars, who are just above them in the league standings and have been giving opponents a lot of opportunities to hear the most annoying goal song in the NHL.
Jason Robertson leads the team with 37 points and 25 assists, with Matt Duchene (third in overall points) and Miro Heiskanen right behind him with 23 assists. Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski (second in overall points) are the goals leaders with 15 each, with Mason Marchment and Tyler Seguin behind them with 13.
The Stars have gotten shaky goaltending in spite of great defensive play, with Jake Oettinger at a .901 sv% on the season and Scott Wedgewood at a .897. Oddly, that’s reversed on their penalty kill–their shorthanded defense isn’t as good, but their PK% is distinctly above-average, and they’ve been a menace at shorthanded goal-scoring as well. A strong power play just makes it more the case that the Preds should try to keep this one 5v5.
The game airs at 7PM Central on Bally Sports South and 102.5 The Game.
Statistics from naturalstattrick.com. Additional background from hockeyviz.com.