Three Periods: West Coast shuffle a challenge

Friday, February 23, 2024, Vol. 48, No. 8

The Predators close out their February schedule with four games, two on the road on the West Coast and two back home at Bridgestone Arena.

First Period

Saturday, Feb. 24 at San Jose Sharks and Sunday, Feb. 25 at Anaheim Ducks

The Predators close out their five-game road trip with a set of back-to-back games against the Sharks and Ducks. Although they are in the same state, the schedule makers didn’t do the Predators any favors here. After playing the previous Thursday in Los Angeles, Nashville heads north to the Bay Area for Saturday’s game then back to Southern California to face the Ducks.

Look for Juuse Saros and Kevin Lankinen to split these games in goal for the Predators, both games they need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Second Period

Feb. 27 vs. Ottawa Senators

The Predators don’t have much time to recover from their five-game road trip when the Senators come to town. Ottawa is another team that has struggled for most of the season and another team the Predators desperately need to take points from in this game.

Ottawa captain Brady Tkachuk is one of the league’s premier pests and trash talkers, so whenever there are post-whistle scrums, he’s very likely to be involved.

Third Period

Feb. 29 vs. Minnesota Wild

Minnesota is making a late season push for the playoffs, so like the previous three games, this is an important one not only for the prospect of gaining points, but also keeping Minnesota at bay.

Former Predators head coach John Hynes now holds the same position in Minnesota.