Exciting Developments: Predators Seek Another Notable Road Victory in Vegas…
Following a strong start to their five-game western road trip with an impressive 5-2 comeback triumph against the St. Louis Blues, the Nashville Predators are gearing up to face the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Vegas Golden Knights, in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
This game marks the second half of a back-to-back set for the Golden Knights, who halted a two-game skid on Monday afternoon with a convincing 4-0 victory over the San Jose Sharks.
In contrast, Nashville enjoys a two-day break since their crucial clash with the Blues. Despite their recent victory, the Predators are still trailing the Blues and the Minnesota Wild by two points in the intense race for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
According to reports from Sportsnet on Monday, Predators players had initially sought permission to fly to Las Vegas immediately after their game with the Blues to attend a U2 concert at The Sphere on Sunday. However, General Manager Barry Trotz, expressing dissatisfaction with the team’s performance, particularly following an alarming 9-2 defeat to the Dallas Stars, intervened and canceled the concert plans. The loss against the Stars marked the Predators’ fifth defeat in six games (1-4-1).
Nevertheless, Nashville showed resilience by kickstarting their road trip with a morale-boosting victory over the Blues. Goalie Juuse Saros, amidst swirling trade rumors, delivered a stellar performance with 35 saves, while Filip Forsberg and Ryan O’Reilly each contributed a goal and an assist.
Expressing satisfaction with the team’s efforts, Predators coach Andrew Brunette remarked, “This feels good… It was the first sign of looking like us, so we’re going to build on it.”
Looking ahead, Nashville braces for a significant matchup against the Golden Knights, who currently sit in second place in the Pacific Division but trail the Vancouver Canucks by 10 points. Subsequently, the Predators will travel to Los Angeles to face the Kings, a game laden with playoff implications, as the Kings hold a six-point lead in the top wild-card spot.
The road trip concludes with back-to-back clashes against the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks, two teams positioned lower in the Western Conference standings.
Meanwhile, the Golden Knights aim to bounce back after suffering consecutive home losses for the first time in 13 months, falling to the Minnesota Wild (5-3) and the Carolina Hurricanes (3-1).
In their recent victory against the Sharks, goalie Logan Thompson, making his first appearance since January 27, showcased an outstanding performance, securing his first shutout of the season with 29 saves. Forward Mason Morelli, in his NHL debut, also made an impact with a goal and an assist.
Reflecting on Thompson’s performance, Vegas captain Mark Stone praised his composure and pivotal saves, emphasizing his significant contribution to the team’s success.
As the Predators prepare for their showdown in Vegas, both teams are gearing up for a high-stakes battle with playoff implications on the line.
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