Nashville Predators (1-3-0)
So far this season, the Nashville Predators have had a few bugs — not only in their game, but in their locker room, too. In their last game out, a 5-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, forwards Ryan Johansen and Craig Smith (along with several others) contracted what is believed to be food poisoning.
“Last night, we got into a situation where we suspect that we’re dealing with some food poisoning in Detroit,” said head coach David Poile said. It’s unclear, at this point, who will be slotted in if any illness lingers.
However, several players, including James Neal and defensemen Roman Josi and P.K. Subban admitted that they were feeling good and will more than likely playing in Saturday’s game against the Penguins.
Coming into this game, the offense has scored only scored two goals when playing with a no-man advantage. The Predators will need to score without the powerplay to keep Pittsburgh on their heels.
Pittsburgh Penguins (3-1-1)
The Pittsburgh Penguins are coming off an impressive comeback victory against the defending Western Conference Champions, the San Jose Sharks. To start the game, the Penguins’ offense looked slow, sloppy and, in some cases, lazy. But Pittsburgh had a phenomenal third period and came back to win the game, 3-2.
If Pittsburgh expects to take advantage of a sick team, it can’t start this game in the same manner. The Penguins will again, most likely, be playing without forwards Sidney Crosby and Conor Sheary and defenseman Kris Letang.
In Pittsburgh’s last game, defensemen Derrick Pouliot suffered a severe enough upper-body injury that head coach Mike Sullivan placed him on injured reserved.
Apparently, this is what may have hurt Pouliot:
General manager Jim Rutherford explained via phone conference that “it’s going to be a while,” until Pouliot will be healthy enough to play. On the good side of things, defenseman Olli Maatta, who was also injured in the game against San Jose, has been cleared to play against the Predators.
Prediction
Even without their captain playing, the rest of the Penguins team has shown they are more than capable of winning. So while a few games didn’t go their way, this one will.
With another solid performance from goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and a lack of Nashville’s offense from the even-strength lines, Pittsburgh will beat the Predators, 5-1.
Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN
When: Saturday, October 22 @ 8:00 p.m. EDT
Watch: ROOT, FS-TN, NHL.TV
Image credit: John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images
