Preview of Game 15: Nashville Predators

The Ducks current 5-game losing streak began with a shut out loss to the Nashville Predators on Saturday, October 29th. The Ducks look to finally win a game as they return home for their game tomorrow night against the Preds.

Last Matchup:

Coming into that previous game the Ducks were coming off a good performance in Minnesota where they had won 3-2. Yet the Predators shut down the Ducks offense and the Ducks really never had a great chance on goalie Pekka Rinne. Patric Hornqvist scored just 14 seconds into the 1st period and the Predators never looked back. Martin Erat scored late in the 1st period to add to the lead and then Shea Weber scored early in the 3rd to lay down the hammer. Hiller didn’t have a bad game in net either. On Erat’s goal, it was a well developed play by the Preds and the Ducks defense left Hiller out to dry as Erat was wide open across ice. Then, Shea Weber’s power play goal was through a screen where it was obvious that Hiller had not seen the shot. The Ducks offense, well, was the Ducks offense.

Including that game on the 29th, the Predators are 3-0-1 in their last four games. Their overtime loss came on Halloween night in Chicago. In those four games, they are averaging 3.50 goals per game and are averaging just 2.00 goals allowed per game. So, to sum it all up, the Predators are playing really good hockey right now and that will be a tough matchup for the Ducks. David Legwand is continuing to lead the Predators in points, but rookie Craig Smith is also been an offensive stud for the Preds so far this season. But, the Preds are still showing the offensive balance that won them so many games last season including the playoff series against the Ducks. The defense has been consistently, very good with studs like Weber and Ryan Suter. Then, Pekka Rinne continues to show why he is one of the best goalies in the entire world. The Preds will play the Kings tonight and hopefully the Kings will wear them out a little bit for us.

Players to Watch:

NSH – F – David Legwand: This guy has been the “do-it-all” guy for the Predators entire life time. He has been the leader on the scoreboard and in the locker room for years now.
NSH – D – Shea Weber: One of the best defenseman in the league if not the best. If it weren’t for players like Nicklas Lidstrom he could have some Jack Norris Trophies right now.
ANA – All I’m going to say for players to watch for the Ducks is hopefully somebody steps up like Selanne and gets this team together.

Prediction:

It’s this simple. The Ducks right now are terrible. The Preds right now are very good. This could be very ugly like in Detroit. But, hopefully Detroit was rock bottom and they begin to right the ship tomorrow night. Some shots would be nice. Emerson Etem would be nice too. But beggars can’t be choosers. (sigh)

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