Dilip Vishwanat - Getty Images
Life doesn't get any easier for the post all-star break Nashville Predators. After trips to Minnesota and Philadelphia, the Predators come back home to Nashville tonight to face one of the surprise teams in the Central Division: The St. Louis Blues (7:00 CT; 102.5 The Game).
The Predators and Blues are two of the hottest teams in the league coming into tonight's game. St. Louis has won nine of its last 12 games, and the Predators have only lost three times in their last 16. The two teams are also just a point apart in the standings, so tonight's game is as critical a game as the Predators will play in the Central Division this year.
More after the jump:
The 2011-2012 Blues look much like the Predators of old. They lead the league in goals against, but are just 22nd in goals for and their powerplay has struggled. A big part of their success belongs to the play of this guy:
The Predators are 3-0 against the Blues this year, but all three games were tightly contested, and with both sides getting quality play from their goaltenders and defenseman, there's no reason to believe tonight's game will be any different.
For a Blues perspective on tonight's game, be sure to check out St. Louis Game Time.
The Predators are finally getting healthy again, and Barry Trotz has had to make some tough decisions lately on who to dress and who to scratch. Brandon Yip got the scratch against Philadelphia in favor of Jerred Smithson, but the Yip-Smith-Halischuk combo played solid minutes against Minnesota. Who should Trotz go with tonight? Sound off in the comments below.
But the key to tonight's game will be Nashville's $7 million man.
According to Jacob Underwood on twitter (a fantastic follow for Preds fans):
With 3+ days of rest, Pekka Rinne is 3-3 with a 3.68 GAA and .880 SVS%.
In a game between two teams like the Predators and the Blues, goals will be at a premium, so Rinne will have to be on his game for Nashville to have a chance.
0 recs | 20 comments
I hate to do it on his birthday but...
I say sit Smithson. The Smith line looked looks better with Yip in there. Stl is no offensive juggernaut, but they are hard to score against. Thus, trading some defense (Smithson) for some offense (Yip) makes sense. Unfortunately, I doubt Trotz will see things the same way. He’d probably dress 12 Smithsons if he had the choice.
Predadave - February 4, 2012
12 Smithsons =
…worst team playoff beards in the history of the league.
Frattaway - February 4, 2012
In 6 career games against St Louis
Yip has 5 goals (most were in one game, if memory serves). Nonetheless, I’d rather see Yip scratched myself :-)
CrossCheckRaise - February 4, 2012
Also…side note and totally unrelated.
Can someone tell me how to add one of those sweet, “Hey I say funny things on Twitter too” buttons on my signature?
Frattaway - February 4, 2012
Go to your profile>Edit Account and Settings>It’s the button at the very top.
ILovethe#6CannonFire - February 4, 2012
Hillen
based on size alone, needs to be on the sidelines for this tilt
jeffery101y - February 4, 2012
SIT SMITHERS
we have younger and faster guys w/ more upside that does everything he does except faceoffs
predswilrule - February 4, 2012
you can’t sit smitty on his birthday!!
predmama - February 4, 2012
it should be noted
Halak looks to be starting t
in net for the Blues
3DLink - February 4, 2012 via Android app
That is correct
Hitchcock has a general rule that if you get a shutout, you start the the next game. Also, this sets up Elliott to start in his return to Ottawa Tuesday.
CrossCheckRaise - February 4, 2012
Ah, didn’t realize that. Thanks for clarifying.
Marc Torrence - February 4, 2012
It looks like Smithson will be having a more private birthday party
http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=6159
ILovethe#6CannonFire - February 4, 2012
We just picked up tix for tonight and now have 2 extra
I don’t want to rip off a fan with fees and will sell ours for face(what we paid). I also don’t want to violate any rules here so let me know if there is a better way to do this.
predrock - February 4, 2012
where the seats, and how much?
PredHead - February 4, 2012
Sorry, we had to leave early to get there and I didn't see your note
We ended up doing an exchange because every friend we tried to give them to was too dang busy or tired. They missed a great game with play-off atmosphere yet again.
predrock - February 4, 2012
Happy birthday, Angry Smitty!
davisca - February 4, 2012
Greetings all
As someone who owns Rinne and Halak in mulitple fantasy leagues, I can only hope for a 1-0 Blues win.
Should be a really good game.
HockeyHippie - February 4, 2012
I think you sit Borque tonight
and I wouldn’t be opposed to sending him back down.
Shawn Kehoe - February 4, 2012
Why?
He’s got energy, is in the right place. Preserving his time with the big club is a thought, but not because he isn’t worth having?
Catwoman - February 4, 2012
because
he’s gone several weeks without scoring and his line has stopped scoring. Yip & Smithson should be getting his ice time at this point. Coaching staff agreed I guess. Borque was a scratch tonight.
Shawn Kehoe - February 4, 2012
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