The Predators are in Madison Square Garden tonight.
Nashville Predators
There’s a lot of links between the Blueshirts and the Predators. Rangers coaches Peter Laviolette, Dan Muse, and Phil Housley are all coaches who’ve stood behind the Nashville bench in the past. Further, as the Rangers’ official site puts it, “defenseman Ryan McDonagh played the first eight seasons (2010-11 – 2017-18) of his career with the Rangers, serving as captain from 2014-15 – 2017-18. With the Blueshirts, McDonagh tallied 238 points (51G-187A) in 516 games.” McDonagh went to Tampa Bay after leaving New York.
Colton Sissons still leads the Predators with 3 goals. Ryan O’Reilly has 1 goal and 2 assists, and Filip Forsberg has notched 3 assists. I’d like to see Luke Evangelista and Cody Glass get on the board tonight. Glass has had a lot of great looks lately, but we all know that nothing counts until the puck is in the back of the net. Evangelista was visible against the Oilers, but I thought he looked a little “missing in action” against Boston.
It’s likely the lines change up a bit tonight, but I’m not sure the defensive pairings get shifted in any way. Could Michael McCarron or Samuel Fagemo draw into the lineup tonight?
New York Rangers
The Rangers won their home opener against the Coyotes on Tuesday evening. They were a playoff team last season, and I’m not sure that they’re a HUGE playoff contender, but they’ll definitely be in the mix. Some experts pick them to win the Cup because of their excellent goaltending and high-powered forward lines. Igor Shesterkin is good—Vezina Trophy good. Shesterkin vs. Saros (likely) will be an excellent goaltending matchup to watch tonight.
According to the Preds’ official website, “Chris Kreider leads the Rangers with five points (4g-1a) and has scored goals in each of New York’s first three games.” The Rangers have a solid power play, and they’ve scored a power play goal in each of their first three games. Artemi Panarin leads the Rangers with 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists), and Kreider has 3 goals and 1 assist.
Reasons to Watch
- Igor Shesterkin and Juuse Saros
- Peter Laviolette (?!?!)
- Can the Predators get a win tonight, or will they dig into a deeper hole?
Keep Your Eye on This Guy
Tommy Novak scored the only goal on Tuesday evening. Will he score another tonight? Even better, could it be on the power play?
For New York, I’m watching out for Chris Kreider. He’s sneaky-good.
Tonight’s Theme Song
How to Watch
Puck drop is at 6:00 Central. Bally Sports TN has the broadcast, and 102.5 The Game and El Jefe have the radio call.