Nashville Predators
The Predators had a pretty wild Tuesday (pun intended). Goals from Mattias Ekholm, Roman Josi, Rocco Grimaldi, Viktor Arvidsson (x2), and Colton Sissons sent the Anaheim Ducks north for the winter. Pekka Rinne was absolutely on fire and we saw a fairly complete game, including a beautiful shorthanded goal.
Ryan Ellis has quietly been doing BIG THINGS on the blue line.
#Preds defenseman Ryan Ellis extended his point streak to a career-best five games with an assist tonight. He’s recorded nine points (9a) during his point streak (Oct. 12-22).
— Nashville Preds PR (@PredsPR) October 23, 2019
Miikka Salomäki remains in the lineup (and falling over air) until Filip Forsberg makes a return from his injury.
Minnesota Wild
Eric Staal scored twice in less than two minutes in the Wild’s victory over Edmonton on Tuesday. The Wild aren’t exactly putting together win streaks, but they’ve had a rough start to the 2019-2020 season since we last saw them at the beginning of the month.
The Wild have had some closed-door team meetings after some tough losses, and it’s clear that their lethargic play isn’t sitting well with the team’s veterans. However, the injury bug has hit the Wild pretty hard over the last week.
Joel Eriksson Ek has been placed on injured reserve after sustaining an injury against Montreal last weekend. The youngster blocked THREE shots from Shea Weber (THREE!) and is out with a lower-body injury.
Here’s where Joel Eriksson Ek got injured. pic.twitter.com/TRk6szJMWI
— Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) October 18, 2019
Mats Zuccarello is back in the lineup. Kevin Fiala and Victor Rask did not skate on Tuesday against the Oilers. Fiala has been placed on IR. Jordan Greenway assisted on the Wild’s first two goals Tuesday but was injured later in the game.
#mnwild goaltender Devan Dubnyk (day-to-day) will miss Thursday’s game in Nashville due to an upper-body injury suffered last night.
Forward Jordan Greenway will travel with the team to Nashville.
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) October 23, 2019
Devan Dubnyk might be out tonight after a weird fall against Edmonton. He left the game early. Alex Stalock would be the starter if Dubnyk is unavailable. Kaapo Kahkonen has been recalled from the Iowa Wild to back up Stalock.
Memories and Feelings
- Ryan Suter=boo
- Please spare us from Salomäki. Come back soon, Fil. /
Reasons to Watch
- Thursday night hockey is always excellent in Bridgestone Arena.
- Brad Hunt has 6 points (4 goals, 2 assists) and leads Minnesota in points. Brad Hunt.
- Can the Preds take advantage of an injured Wild team?
- Will Juuse Saros get a shot in net tonight? The little guy needs a big confidence-boosting win. /
Tonight’s Theme Song
Tonight’s Drink of Choice
A big, tall glass of Prophecy Pinot Noir.
How to Watch
I sure love these 7:00 puck drops. FS-Tennessee has the broadcast and 102.5 The Game has the radio call.