On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
It's been a while, Nashville.
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.
Predators Hurricane Helene Relief: Donate Here
More must-reads:
- Rangers forward in a fight for his future amid new competition
- Maple Leafs make six roster cuts with two notable surprises
- The 'Multiple 30-TD pass NFL seasons' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
TODAY'S BEST
Rangers could rival Maple Leafs for blockbuster signing
The New York Rangers have a couple of concerns regarding Artemi Panarin heading into the start of the 2025-26 NHL season. It was confirmed that Panarin, 33, got injured during the second day of the Rangers' camp, without even having played the first game of the season. Head coach Mike Sullivan categorized this injury as "precautionary," without confirming how much time the Russian will miss. The problem is the left winger is about to enter the seventh and final year of his contract with the Blueshirts, and so far, both parties have remained in complete silence. While Panarin told The Athletic that he's "focusing on hockey," there also hasn't been any indication of an offer from the New York team. Currently, there is also another forward with elite player status entering the final year of his contract with his current team: Connor McDavid. The 28-year-old center has so far not extended his deal with the Edmonton Oilers and has been the subject of speculation in recent days. Why it makes sense for the Rangers to wait for Connor McDavid Although recently TSN’s Pierre LeBrun pointed out that the Toronto Maple Leafs are among the teams interested in signing Connor McDavid, he also said that there are other teams interested, and it wouldn't be crazy for the Rangers to be one of them. The normal thing in a situation like this, which completely conditions the market, is that some teams are waiting for the McDavid situation to be resolved in order to operate normally. Considering that the Rangers' salary cap is already significant, it makes sense that they are waiting with the hope that later on they will have real chances to sign the Oilers' superstar. Historically, the Rangers have been a team that has known how to attract superstars, and it may be that GM Chris Drury is considering a move of this caliber in a season of reinvention.
Former Boston Star Says a Single Absence Could Derail Red Sox Season
Jonathan Papelbon sent the warning that he thinks the Red Sox were delivered a blow they can’t recover from. He doesn’t think the Red Sox can simply patch the hole in their lineup as they fight for a playoff spot. “One player can derail a team tremendously, especially if it’s a leadoff hitter like Roman Anthony,” the former Boston closer told Vegas Insider's Ben Mendelowitz. “You can’t replace that.” Anthony, who went on the injured list earlier this month with a left oblique strain, remains without a clear timetable to return. Manager Alex Cora said Sunday that “not much has changed” in the rookie outfielder’s recovery. Anthony has been able to walk on a treadmill for up to 25 minutes and do bike work, but he’s still dealing with soreness. Originally, the expectation was a four-to-six-week recovery. With the calendar closing, the Red Sox may be running out of time to get Anthony back for the stretch run. The Red Sox take on the American League East-leading Toronto Blue Jays beginning Tuesday and then close out the season at Fenway Park against the Detroit Tigers. Papelbon, who earned a reputation for blunt honesty during his time in Boston, pointed to the way a single absence can ripple through a roster. “When a player that you can’t replace, or just fill in a gap, gets hurt, then you see weaknesses in the lineup,” he said. “Pitchers can navigate lineups easier without that player in there.” It’s not only about Boston’s side of things. Papelbon noted how opposing pitchers gain confidence just knowing they don’t have to see Anthony in the box. “Sometimes that can do wonders,” he said. Anthony had become a key spark at the top of the order. His combination of on-base skills and extra-base power gave the Red Sox a dimension they lacked in recent seasons. Without him, the offense has looked thinner, easier to game-plan around, and the team has struggled to put together consistent rallies. For now, the Red Sox wait. Cora said Anthony is “doing everything possible to hopefully get back.” But as Papelbon reminded, the lineup is different without him — and the gap is one Boston hasn’t figured out how to close.
Raiders HC Pete Carroll unhappy with running game amid Ashton Jeanty's struggles
Ashton Jeanty is not having the start to his career the Las Vegas Raiders hoped he'd have when they took the star running back with the No. 6 pick in this year's draft. Jeanty carried the ball 17 times for 63 yards (3.7 yards per rush) in the Raiders' 41-24 loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 3. Jeanty is averaging 3.1 yards per rush this season, with 144 yards and one touchdown on the 1-2 Raiders. Not all of the issues are on the rookie. During his news conference on Monday, head coach Pete Carroll said the team needed to improve the running game to have success on offense. He suggested Las Vegas is doing all it can to run the ball with the talent they have on the offensive line. "We're working on some stuff," Carroll said of the offensive line. "We want to see (Jackson Powers-Johnson) come back to action and get back involved. "We have to in all phases of it. We've got to get off the football better and make more of the running game. "There's not enough happening there to act on the play-pass game, and we're just not getting enough. So we just got to keep working it. We got the guys we got." The Las Vegas Raiders need to fix the offensive line Despite a poor game by the offensive line, quarterback Geno Smith was effective on Sunday. He threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns. However, he was sacked five times for minus-28 yards. The offense was much better than it was in Week 2 when the Raiders scored nine points in a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on "Monday Night Football." Still, the running game needs to be a threat, not only to help Smith and the passing attack, but to keep the defense off the field. The Raiders invested in the running game by drafting Jeanty with a first-round pick. So far, that pick has not paid off.
Maxx Crosby’s anger caught on camera during ugly Raiders loss to Commanders
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby didn’t hide his disappointment Sunday after Washington Commanders wide receiver Luke McCaffrey was left wide open for a touchdown late, and cameras caught Crosby shaking his head in frustration. Crosby looked visibly upset as the cameras caught him mouthing, “he was wide open,” after the TD as he sat on the bench. The Raiders dropped the game 41-24 at Northwest Stadium, a matchup that exposed holes in all three of Las Vegas’ phases. The Commanders hit big plays early and kept applying pressure. Washington quarterback Marcus Mariota, filling in for the injured Jayden Daniels, threw for 207 yards with a touchdown and added 40 yards on the ground with another score. McCaffrey’s highlight came with 2:05 left in the fourth when Mariota found him for a 43-yard touchdown, putting the game out of reach. That play visibly frustrated Crosby, who felt the defensive coverage broke down. Raiders quarterback Geno Smith had a tough day. He threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns, but was sacked five times, and the offensive line repeatedly failed to contain Washington’s pass rush. On the other side, Tre Tucker was almost single-handedly keeping Las Vegas in it early, catching eight passes for 145 yards and scoring all three Raiders touchdowns, one of which was a 61-yard bomb. The Commanders piled up big play after big play. Deebo Samuel set the tone with a 69-yard kickoff return. Jeremy McNichols rumbled 60 yards for a touchdown late in the first half to help Washington seize momentum. Jaylin Lane added a 90-yard punt return touchdown in the third quarter. Crosby’s visible anger wasn’t just about one play. It reflected the Raiders’ broader breakdowns, busted assignments, missed tackles, and explosive plays given up. As Las Vegas drops to 1-2 on the season, moments like the McCaffrey touchdown are going to sting. Win or lose, fans and teammates expect more discipline. For Crosby, who has made a reputation for relentless effort, this was one of those games that tests composure. And judging by his reaction, he knows it.
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
