Nashville Predators @ Calgary Flames Preview: Preds eyeing 3rd straight win as they roll into Alberta
The Alberta stretch of the Canadian trip starts tonight, with the Preds looking to stock some points against some cellar dwelling teams.
After dispatching the Canucks in Vancouver last night, the Nashville Predators hop from B.C. to Alberta for a dance with the Calgary Flames. These two teams just played each other last week, with the Preds taking that decision, 4-2. With a game against Edmonton coming up this weekend, Nashville would be wise to stock up on points on the two sputtering Albertan teams
The Stats
| Nashville Predators | Calgary Flames | |||
| Record | 23-22-7 | 19th | 17-27-7 | 28th |
| GF/Game | 2.42 | 24th | 2.18 | 29th |
| GA/Game | 2.85 | 20th | 3.10 | 28th |
| 5-on-5 Close SF/60 | 29.6 | 14th | 25.8 | 29th |
| 5-on-5 Close SA/60 | 28.0 | 9th | 29.3 | 17th |
| Fenwick Close | 49.50 | 17th | 46.20 | 27th |
| 5-on-5 Close Save % | .908 | 27th | .914 | 24th |
| 5-on-4 GF/60 | 7.0 | 8th | 5.0 | 24th |
| # of PP's/Gm | 3.08 | 27th | 3.18 | 25th |
| 4-on-5 GA/60 | 6.4 | 17th | 6.8 | 21st |
| # of PK's/Gm | 3.04 | 5th | 3.24 | 13th |
Calgary Flames
More on tonight's opponent
More on tonight's opponent
In their most recent outing on Wednesday, the Flames found victory over the Phoenix Coyotes. However, the team is still just 3-6-1 in their last 10 games, and it was the first time in over two weeks they had scored more than 2 goals.
Like last time, Mike Cammalleri and Curtis Glencross will be out with injury. It's anyone's guess who the starting goalie will be tonight. Karri Ramo seems like a logical choice, but Reto Berra could be just as likely. They are still getting pretty even playing time.
Nashville Predators
With Carter Hutton getting in a good sweat last night, as well being the best penalty killer in the large amount of shorthanded minutes, looks like we'll get to see Devan Dubnyk back in net. With only having one previous start, it will be good for him to see some action against a bottom five team, and one he is very familiar with. So far this season, Dubnyk is 2-0-1 against the Flames, with one shutout.
UPDATE: Per Stu Grimson, Dubnyk gets the start tonight.
As good as the PK was last night, let's hope they don't start giving up that many chances on a regular basis. Most of that was due to some good fortune, though. The entire first leg of Cullen's double-minor was spent in the Preds' zone, and the Canucks were just one Dan Hamhuis shot away from converting.
But good thing that Nick Spaling looks to be having a career year, and Craig Smith was Craig Smith. Those two skaters came through when their team needed them to, which, for the most part, they have done all season.
Remember, this is another late start tonight, but not as late. FS-TN has the broadcast for you at 8:00 p.m. CST, which is a perfect way to start your weekend.
