Predators Gameday: Let's win.

BOSTON--At this point, the storyline gets repetitive. The Predators have outplayed opponents thus far. Not converting on chances expected, on the power play, lackluster efforts on defense, and other factors contribute to the 0-5 start.

It's the fourth and final game of the homestand. Fans have witnessed four losses in four games this season, at Bridgestone Arena.

Let's end it tonight.

The Predators have given up 23 goals while scoring just 10 for a -13 scoring differential. The season save percentage for the team, just 81.4SV%. They have the worst shot percentage in the leauge, shooting just 5.6%.

The message is clear. To win games, Nashville has to score. To score, they have to increase their chances. An increase in chances will lead to a higher shooting percentage. With a higher shooting percentage then, can Nashville win games.

Head Coach Andrew Brunette spoke after practice yesterday:

"At the end of the day, we're not good enough right now. (We're) not playing well enough, to earn enough bounces."

Nashville's Projected Lineup

Forsberg-O'Reilly-Nyquist

Stamkos-Sissons-Marchessault

L'Heroux-McCarron-Smith

Jankowski-Novak-Evangelista

Skjei-Josi

Lauzon-Carrier

Del Gaizo-Schenn

**Saros

Wedgewood

**=Unconfirmed

Brunette mentioned he is looking for guys to hound pucks into the zone; to win puck battles. He belives that has been an issue for the team thus far. The third line looks to solitify the issue.

Forward Zachary L'heureux was called up by Nashville yesterday. Through five games with Milwaukee (AHL), he has three goals, and two assists for five points in four games thus far. To note, last season with Milwaukee, he registered 197 penalty minutes to his name.

The forward drafted by Nashville in the 1st round of the 2021 draft, will sit on the left wing of the third line, in his NHL debut tonight.

A changeup on defense for Saturday's game showed Marc Del Gaizo, who was called up from Milwaukee, making his season debut alongside Schenn on the third defensive pair.

Boston's Projected Lineup:

Zacha-Lindholm-Pastrnak

Marchand-Coyle-Brazeau Frederic-Poitras-Geekie

Beecher-Kastelic-Koepke

Lohrei-Mcavoy

Lindholm-Carlo

Zadorov-Peeke

**Swayman

Korpisalo

**=Unconfirmed

The fourth line for Boston, featuring Beecher, Kastelic, and Koepke, has received high praise from Head Coach Jim Montgomery. Following the team's 5-3 win to Colorado, he spoke on the line:

“I think we’ve got to stop calling them the fourth line. I mean, it’s impressive — the way they’ve been playing. ... They’re earning all the ice time they’re getting, and their details, their work ethic, their puck support of one another, offensively and defensively, is allowing them to have tremendous success.

Much like the Predators, Boston has promoted lineup changes consistently, making the lines, largely inconsistent. The top six have been shook up by Montgomery, asking for urgency from the group.

Much like Edmonton last week, this is a deep lineup to watch for.

Who to watch for Nashville:

Longtime forward Filip Forsberg has sublty been Nashville's most consistent offensive talent thus far. With two goals and three assists for five points in as many games, he leads the team in points as the only point-per-game player on the Predators.

If the entirety of the Predators offense had been playing the way Forsberg has, consistently, they may not be in an 0-5 slump to start the season.

Luke Evangelista is another name that's skipped over more times than not. Although only two assists and still no goal in five games, he remains the only player on the roster to play all five games, and not have a negitive +/-.

Meaning, he's the only player that hasn't been on the ice giving up more goals, than scoring (0+/-).

Who to watch for Boston:

As mentioned earlier, Boston's fourth line has played a substantial role in the teams season thus far. Cole Koepke accomponies the line on the left wing. In six games, Koepke has three goals and three asssits.

He leads the leauge in plus/minus with +10.

It's another challenge for Nashville tonight. Much like against Edmonton, they cannot take a shift off. All four lines can produce offense for the Bruins.

Starting Goaltenders:

Juuse Saros is expected to start for Nashville tonight. It's evident that Saros hasn't had the best start to the season. Winless through four outings, Saros has a .875 SV% and 3.64 GAA.

It's becoming clear that to win games, the Predators will have to win positions. Saros will have to outplay his opposition, the defense and offense as such. While he's kept the team in games for the most part, giving up late goals has to subdue for Saros.

On the other end, fellow newley-extended goaltrender Jeremy Swayman. Both inked eight-year exntesions with their clubs. In four games, he is 2-1-1 with a .905 SV% and 2.71 GAA.

Also noteworthy, in three career games against Nashville, Swayman has two shutouts, and a .981 SV%.

Storylines for Nashville:

Jonathan Marchessault has eight points in his last nine outings against Boston. He's coming off his first goal of the season against Edmonton; a evident weight off his shoulders.

How the new third line preforms could be a testement to how lines begin to slodify. Brunette has changed the lineup heavliy to start the season. Tonight, there are new guys in town on the third ine.

The Arrivals:

Milwaukee defenseman Marc Del Gaizo was called up to Nashville ahead of Saturday's game against Detroit. In his season debut, he registered no points, but one blocked shot.

He slotted in for Dante Fabbro, who struggled to find his game through the first four games.

Yesterday he reflected on Saturday's game:

"I felt pretty good, I felt comfortable. With the guys (being here most of training camp), it felt like a smooth transition, just happy to be here.

Zachary L'Hereux was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the first round, 27th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He spent his first pro season last year, with the Predators AHL Affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.

In five games with Milwaukee this season, L'Hereux has three goals and two assists for five points in just four games.

He spoke on what it means to make his NHL debut tonight:

"It's always something I've dreamed of," L'Hereux said following Monday's practice. "Just trying to soak it all in." His goal on the ice will be to play his own game, and be himself. "I'm not going to create a miracle or anything. Just come in here, play my game, and do what I do. (Maybe) bring a little excitement, bring a little jump.

Game Prediction:

Due to the arrival of Zachary L'Heroux to Nashville, the third line should be able to get pucks further into areas that Brunette is looking to get into. Yet still, converting on offense will be sought by the top two offensive lines.

My prediction: The Predators lose 3-2 to Boston. It feels like the same story will be held as the previous five games.

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