Predators Eye Redemption Against Coyotes at Bridgestone Arena
As the Nashville Predators gear up to face the Arizona Coyotes, fans are looking for a sign that their team is ready to turn the tide. The upcoming clash at Bridgestone Arena is more than just another game; it's an opportunity for redemption.
The Predators have had a mixed bag of performances recently. On December 23, they faced off against the Dallas Stars in a nail-biting contest that saw them fall short by just one point, ending with a score of 3-2. Despite this loss, there were positive takeaways: Nashville's powerplay unit managed to convert once on their two opportunities, showcasing a potential edge over Arizona in special teams play.
However, it was Nashville's even-strength play that left much to be desired. They scored only one goal during 5v5 play and lost the faceoff battle with a win percentage of just 42 percent. These statistics highlight areas where improvement is crucial if they want to secure victory against the Coyotes.
Looking back further to December 22 against the Philadelphia Flyers, NSH showed resilience and offensive prowess by securing four points away from home. Their shorthanded efforts were particularly impressive as they notched up one goal while being a man down. This kind of tenacity will be essential when facing ARI.
The most recent memory that stings for NSH fans would be from December 20 when they hosted Vancouver Canucks and suffered a defeat with five goals against them while only managing two in return. The Predators' goaltending was tested as they faced 35 shots and let through five goals – an area which will need tightening up before facing ARI’s attackers.
On paper, ARI may seem like an easier opponent compared to previous matchups; however, underestimating any NHL team can lead to unexpected outcomes. The Predators must leverage their home advantage and come out strong right from puck drop – setting the tone early could be key in dictating game flow.
Special teams could again play a pivotal role; maintaining discipline will limit penalty kill situations and allow NSH’s powerplay units more time to operate effectively – something that has been working well for them lately.
In conclusion, while past games have shown both strengths and weaknesses for Nashville Predators, there's every reason for optimism heading into this matchup with Arizona Coyotes on February 11th at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville TN (zip code:37203). Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ online or tune into BSSO channel number 646-1 or SCRIPPS depending on their location starting at 8:00 PM Eastern Time (7:00 PM Central).