One of the many reasons that GM David Poile picked up Wayne Simmonds (and Brian Boyle) was to contend against the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets sit two points above Nashville in the Central rankings.
Nashville Predators
The Predators have points in their last four games, taking just one point against the Penguins on Thursday.
Ryan Ellis has set a career-high in points this season. Ryan Johansen still leads the team in points with 60 (11 goals, 49 assists). Filip Forsberg is creeping closer to 30 goals on the season; he has 26 goals and 20 assists.
Pekka Rinne has been solid for Nashville in his last three starts. He’s only allowed 3 goals on the last 81 shots he’s faced. His .916 Sv% over 51 games has kept the Predators afloat when their offense decides to take the night off.
Winnipeg Jets
The Jets have many big, bruising, scoring forwards. Blake Wheeler has 88 points (20 goals, 68 assists) and Mark Scheifele has 80 points (35 goals, 45 assists). Youngster Kyle Connor has 57 points (29 goals, 28 assists). Jacob Trouba leads Jets defenders in points with 42 (6 goals, 36 assists).
Finnish sniper Patrik Laine has cooled off significantly for Winnipeg this season. He’s a -21 on the season and has 6 assists in his last 10 games. He last scored against Minnesota in late February.
The Jets recalled Eric Comrie from AHL Manitoba on Friday under emergency conditions. Will the Predators see Laurent Brossoit tonight? Connor Hellebuyck has had a solid season, but he’s not putting up the incredible performances he was in 2017-2018. He has a .912 Sv% over 56 games. Brossoit has been one of the better backup goaltenders in the NHL this season. He has a .925 Sv% over 21 games.
Reasons to Watch
- I’m not sure where you’ve been if you NEED a reason to see the #1 and #2 Central Division teams square off.
- Can Mikael Granlund get himself going for Nashville?/
Memories and Feelings
- There’s no love lost here.
- The Jets were shut out by Vegas on Thursday. Yikes.
- The Predators winning tonight would put them in a tie with Winnipeg for 1st in the Central. /
Jets Social Media
- @NHLJets
- @ArcticIceHockey: The Jets’ SB Nation site is Arctic Ice Hockey. /
Tonight’s Theme Song
This is self-explanatory.
How to Watch
Tonight’s game is on Fox Sports-TN and ESPN+. 102.5 The Game will have the radio call. Puck drop is at 6 PM Central.