Kings Roster Notes: (IN) Jonathan Bernier (2.60 GAA, .907 SV%), Brad Richardson. Bernier has 1.75 GAA against the Preds. (OUT) Kevin Westgarth, Davis Drewiske, Peter Harrold, Scott Parse.
Predators Roster Notes: (IN) Pekka “The best Finn goalie” Rinne (2.07 GAA, .930 SV%), Jonathan Blum from the LBC. Via trade: Mike Fisher. (OUT) Injured: Steve Sullivan (lower body), Marcel Goc (shoulder), Francis Bouillon (upper body), Cal O’Reilly (leg), and Matthew Lombardi (concussion). For more info, see On the Forecheck.
With the West as crazy as it is, I’m running out of ways to say “This game is very important for both sides.” The Kings want to solidify their position and close out this road trip with a perfect record, while Nashville wants back in a playoff spot and has an excellent record at home. Both teams are on win streaks. Who’s hot lately?
(finally getting a little love in the Norris conversation) continues to shine on the blue line, while veterans
and
continue to chip in points. For the Kings, sparks are flying for Penner, Kopitar, and Williams, and the third line also chipped in a crucial goal against Dallas.
For the Predators, great goaltending flourishes behind an excellent defense: they give up the fewest goals/game in the league (2.28). Strangely enough, each meeting between these defensive-minded clubs had one side scoring many goals. The Kings lead the season series 2-1, their only loss coming in the cold stretch of January.
As Terry Murray said, it’s a time to bring out work boots. Hopefully ones with blades on their heels, or things will get weird.
85 points would move them ahead of Chicago to claim 4th, and close out the season series.