As you prepare your fantasy hockey lineups for a big weekend of NHL action, check here for your latest updates on the Nashville Predators…
Who to Start
Probably the most reliable performer on the Predators from a fantasy perspective, he plays in all key situations, leads the team in Shots On Goal, and has a point on 5 of the team’s 7 total scores.
Shea Weber & Ryan Suter
The goals haven’t come yet for the Preds as a whole, but when they do start coming, Nashville’s top defensive pair will get the bulk of the assists.
On The Fence
J.P. Dumont, Steve Sullivan
These two vets get lots of ice time with Arnott, but Dumont has just recovered from injury, and might take a game or two to get rolling again. Sullivan hasn’t scored a point in his last four games, but might bust out against a defensively suspect Washington team on Saturday.
Dan Ellis, Pekka Rinne
The Nashville goaltenders appear to be alternating starts for the present time, and have played better than the numbers might indicate. Defensive breakdowns over the last week have yielded some astoundingly easy chances for opposing forwards. You may want to hold off from starting Dan Ellis against the high-flying Caps in Washington in particular.
One thing to keep a lookout for is a shutout by a Preds keeper; given the lack of a solid #1, a shutout should earn that goalie an extra consecutive start.
Bench ‘Em
Martin Erat, David Legwand, Patric Hornqvist
Erat and Legwand are being suffled around through the Nashville forward lines as Barry Trotz searches for an offensive solution, and I wouldn’t recommend starting either one until they produce results. Erat’s goal against Chicago doesn’t count as convincing evidence, as it was merely a pass which deflected off a Blackhawk’s skate.
For Patric Hornqvist, his fantasy value is impacted by the return of J.P. Dumont, which means a demotion off the top line. Unless we see him generate chemistry on a new line, he’s probably best to keep on your bench for now.