Nashville Predators: Expectations for Final Preseason Game against Canes
By Chad Minton
It’s all about having good vibes heading into the regular season if you’re the Nashville Predators, and what better way to do that than taking down the despised Carolina Hurricanes in front of the home crowd?
The Predators have won three consecutive preseason games against some pretty talented rosters that were near full strength in two of them (6-2 win over Tampa and 3-2 overtime win over Carolina).
The roster has been trimmed down to just a couple starting spots available, making this game just as important as a regular season game for some of these fringe players trying to make one last impression on coaches.
The Predators have most of their starting lineup going tonight against the Hurricanes, a team they had a fierce first round matchup with in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs that’s fueling a new rivalry.
Settle the final Nashville Predators roster spots
One player who will not be in the lineup who was making a strong case to win a NHL roster spot is Egor Afanasyev. He’s scored three goals in the preseason and really made the most of his opportunity, but it looks like he’ll initially start in the AHL with the Milwaukee Admirals.
This leaves the limelight on Philip Tomasino, who seems to be in a good spot to win an opening night starting spot against the Seattle Kraken this Thursday at Bridgestone Arena.
Tomasino scored the game-winning overtime goal against the Hurricanes on Tuesday on a gorgeous behind the net feed from Filip Forsberg. Tomasino was showing off his ability to skate without the puck to find a high danger scoring area and he was rewarded.
Obviously we want to see more of that this afternoon as Tomasino skates with some of the best talent he’s ever played with, and he’s making the most of it.
The top line has taken shape with Forsberg, Ryan Johansen and Matt Duchene. Look for them to get more work together as they look very comfortable together as they’ve all tallied goals and been productive in their limited preseason action.
The depth also needs to be sorted out with more line chemistry and a decision on who ends up being a healthy scratch or a starter. One interesting note from this is in the starting lineup this afternoon and who’s not in it, and that’s Rocco Grimaldi.
There’s also no Mathieu Olivier in the lineup this afternoon, so take that for what it’s worth.
Lots of work for Rittich in net
David Rittich needs a solid day’s work in net today. It doesn’t mean Juuse Saros shouldn’t get the start and maybe a period of action, but Rittich really needs the reps to make sure he’s fully ready to take on the vital backup role.
Rittich has been a little spotty in his limited preseason action and hasn’t played in the last two games. The game before that he faced just seven shots against the Lightning, giving up one goal.
Saros should get the start and a full period, but after that it needs to be the Rittich show. Let him close out strong on a positive note heading into the regular season.
The tandem is vital to the Predators returning to the playoffs for an eighth-straight season and Rittich is going to be called upon to give Saros plenty of rest.
Hurricanes are resting some key players, so take advantage
Although the Hurricanes do have some important role players in this game, they don’t have their big guns going. No Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Teuvo Teravainen or Jaccob Slavin. In net they have Frederik Andersen and Alex Lyon in the lineup.
This is a game you need to honestly show some dominance in when comparing the rosters. Players like Forsberg, Duchene, Johansen and Roman Josi should fully control the pace of this game against a Hurricanes team not going full strength
The last thing we need is a lame duck performance, even in the preseason, against a team not using their top players. Finish this preseason slate off on a high note, work on the things that need fine-tuning and head into the regular season feeling confident.
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It’s been a very productive training camp for Head Coach John Hynes, and in his first normal offseason no less with the Nashville Predators. I’m fairly optimistic that they can hang around the wildcard hunt and give us an entertaining season.
Puck drop is under two hours away between Nashville Predators and Carolina Hurricanes from Bridgestone Arena.