The Predators are in a funk, and not one of the good funks like Terry Funk or the Funkadactyls. The Blackhawks and Senators, among the very worst teams in the league, have just beaten the Predators. Before that, it took them a shootout to best the Devils, at home. These teams are not the crème de la crème of the NHL. Consider the Philadelphia Flyers in the same category, as they currently exist very close to the cellar of the Metropolitan division.
Someone needs to step up and fill the void that P.K. Subban, Filip Forsberg, and Viktor Arvidsson’s injuries have left, or these folks need to return to the lineup, STAT. Subban is considered the closest, and hopefully he makes a return very soon (though tonight is probably overly optimistic).
And if nobody wants to step up, well, we’ll happily have Poile trade for Vladimir Tarasenko, who is rumored to be available as the Blues have fallen out of playoff contention. Work some magic, GMDP!
.@IAmUltimatePred while we’re on the topic of a Tarasenko trade, this license plate seems to think that a one-for-one of Nick Bonino and Tarasenko would’ve in order.🤔 pic.twitter.com/VNQYVpiatf
— NSH Housecats (@NSHHousecats) December 19, 2018
Philadelphia Flyers
Exciting goaltender and sharpshooter extraordinaire Carter “the Hit Man” Hart made his NHL debut a couple nights back, and it was successful. He beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 in regulation. Though let’s chalk this head-scratching move up to newly promoted Flyers head coach Scott Gordon—if he had saved Hart’s debut for tonight, Hart would have been guaranteed a shutout.
Hart has given the Flyers a reason for hope, and it’s likely he’ll start again tonight, as alternative option Michal Neuvirth has been doing his best revolving door impression. His 6.14 GAA(!) is stratospheric—just think of how many timely, out-of-nowhere goals all the Predators players could have against him.
The Flyers are still Claude Giroux. I don’t generally like good players on opposing teams, but his name is really lyrical and so I mind him less than I might. He’s got 40 pts this season, which is pretty darn good. Additional threats include Jakub Voracek, Sean Couturier, and Wayne Simmonds, who is a potential trade target for the Predators as well—I expect David Poile will be watching his performance closely.
Ivan Provorov and Shayne Gostisbehere will provide the crucial defensive minutes. Provorov is a -5 and Gostisbehere is a -17. This is a beatable team.
Nashville Predators
Kyle Turris is back. I’m reminded of Justin Long showing up to Average Joe’s locker room on the day of the Finals. He’s just not enough to make up for the fact that their best player (who thinks he’s a pirate!) isn’t present. Except our THREE best players aren’t present—and I do mean top three. Roman Josi has been extremely inconsistent defensively (though his offensive output has increased), and Ryan Johansen’s compounded mistakes let the Senators claim an OT win a couple nights back. Ryan Hartman remains solid, and Kevin Fiala alternates highlight reel plays and boneheaded decisions. Mattias Ekholm is really the one who is currently playing best in all facets of the game, but there’s only so much he, or any of these guys, can do.
It’s not all gloom and doom, thankfully. Pekka Rinne would be a shoo-in for any openings at Grumpy’s, as he bails out his teammates multiple times a night. Juuse Saros’s most recent game was an exciting 2-1 SO win over the Devils, which hopefully stopped his slide. And the Predators are still a top 5 team in the NHL. Not many teams can lose their best three players, plus Turris for a long stretch, and stay above water. We’re currently in the middle of Rock Tunnel, relying on potions and revives to keep us afloat, but as soon as we find an escape rope we’ll be golden. Subban, who may return as soon as this weekend, may be just what the doctor ordered.
Reasons to Watch
Every time I think of the last two games against two horrific teams, I get a sensation that is not dissimilar to my feeling when considering mating with White Goodman, and I ultimately throw up in my mouth a little. A resounding victory tonight would wash that bile right out of my throat, which is necessary, because we do not live in one of those cultures that only eats vomit.
Preds-WWE Feud Equivalent
I think the Preds are angry. I’m going back to 2010, where The Great Khali was squashing people left and right, and that included Daniel Bryan. We all know that The Great Khali was all smoke and mirrors, with no wrestling ability of which to speak, but he had flashes of dominance, which the Predators are due to reestablish tonight. Let’s brain chop these suckers and move along to Boston.
How to Watch
6PM Central
- 102.5 The Game
- FS-TN
- Wells Fargo Center if you happen to be in PA/
Enjoy!