Four Keys for High-Stakes Predators vs Kraken Matchup
Nashville returns home to start a crucial run for their playoff hopes.
The Nashville Predators return home tonight after a five game road trip, and the stakes will be high at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators host the Seattle Kraken, a team who currently sits two points ahead of Nashville for the second wildcard spot in the Western Conference.
Tonight’s game won’t win the Predators anything, but it is the first in a string of games this week that could potentially end Nashville’s hopes for a playoff appearance.
Andrew Brunette and the team know how important tonight’s two points could be.
“We should have some excitement,” Brunette said after morning skate.
“This is what we worked hard all year to get into a game that’s meaningful, that we control our own destiny.”
Four Keys to the Game
1. The first ten minutes
The Predators only regulation win on their recent five game road trip came against the Kraken on March 10. Nashville had an abysmal first period in that game, allowing Seattle 19 shots on goal in the first twenty minutes. The Predators found themselves down 2-0 halfway through the first period.
Nashville had a much better start in Winnipeg against the Jets on Tuesday. Brunette wants to see the Predators kick tonight’s game off like that.
“We barely allowed a shot the first ten minutes. Got a little bit into our game,” Brunette said of Tuesday’s win over the Jets.
“So can we build on that?”
It won’t be easy. Seattle also knows the value of tonight’s two points, and they are coming off of a frustrating 6-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning earlier in the week. They’ll be looking to get high volume of shots on goal and pressure the Predators early.
2. Everyone must contribute
Tonight Nashville will need their best players to be their best players. Andrew Brunette said there would be some game time line up decisions, but there’s little doubt Steven Stamkos, Roman Josi, Ryan O’Reilly, and Filip Forsberg will be on the ice. Those are the players who will need to lead the way offensively. Stamkos scored against the Kraken on March 1, but hasn’t had a point in the three games since. Forsberg snapped a four game dry spell with a goal and assist against the Jets on Tuesday. The veterans will need to produce tonight if Nashville wants to get the win.
That isn’t to say there isn’t an important role for the young players. The youth have been contributing on offense, but tonight they also need to bring the vibes.
“I think all these young guys coming in, myself included, we just want to bring that energy, bring that compete level and help us win games,” Zachary L’Heureux said after morning skate.
“It starts tonight.”
3. Special teams
The Predators have the statistical special teams advantage against the Kraken, but they need to convert those statistics into scoring. Seattle ranks 31st on the penalty kill while the Predators are 11th in the league on the power play. If Seattle finds themselves in the penalty box and Nashville can convert, special teams could be the deciding factor in this game.
Conversely, the Predators need to stay out of the box. They have given up two goals on nine kills in their three games since facing the Kraken on March 10. Seattle currently ranks 15th on the power play and their second unit has found success in recent games. If Nashville commits any infraction, they’ll need their best from the penalty killers for the full two minutes.
4. Goaltending showdown
Seattle’s goaltending duo of Philipp Grubauer and Joey Daccord has put together an impressive season in net. Grubauer and Daccord boast .909 and .902 save percentages respectively.
Saros’s season stats aren’t nearly as good, but since the Olympic break he has been a reliable .889. Saros stopped 43/45 in an onslaught from Seattle on March 10 and helped steal a win for the Predators against Winnipeg earlier this week.
The Kraken will be looking to repeat that high shot volume, so Saros will need to be at his best and get more reliable help from the defense in front of him.
While a win tonight won’t guarantee the Predators anything, a lost tonight and losses in their next games against Vegas, Chicago, and San Jose could be a nail in Nashville’s proverbial playoff coffin. Tonight’s game will feature two desperate teams who each need this win.
The Predators and Kraken drop the puck tonight at 7:00 pm CT. The game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network and 102.5 The Game will have the radio call.
