Season Records

Tampa Bay 4-3-2

Nashville 3-4-1

The Nashville Predators remain winless at home this season after their 3-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena.  Nashville has now lost six consecutive games on home ice. The last time the Predators won on at home was their series clinching win in game six of the Western Conference quarter finals last April.

The return of Mike Fisher and Francis Bouillon to the lineup was not enough to propel the Predators to victory, though both players seemed comfortable on the ice.

Head Coach Barry Trotz noted after Tuesday’s contest that the return on Fisher and Bouillon made a positive difference in the Predators game. “It’s the first time in a long time, in some ways, that we didn’t feel we were outmanned,” Trotz said during the post-game press conference, adding “Getting those two veterans in the lineup stabilized everything. If we can get Martin Erat back into the lineup I think we can stabilize more and I think we’ll be able to move forward a little bit better than we have.”

The Predators have had a slow start to the season, losing five of the last six games. They now face Tampa Bay, a team in contrast to Nashville that are winners of their last three starts. This is the one and only meeting between the two clubs this season. Last October, Nashville won in Tampa by a 4-3 score. Anders Lindback had the start in goal and made 42 saves.

Dan Ellis was the goalie that started the game for the Lightning a season ago. Ellis now plays for Anaheim, Nashville’s weekend opponent. In goal for the Lightning will be either Dwayne Roloson or Mathieu Garon. While Garon has a 3-1-1 start to the season, neither goaltender has played remarkably well against the Predators.

Buddy Oakes of Predsontheglass.com points out that in the last 8 games that Roloson and Garon each have played against Nashville, the two netminders have a combined record of 1-12-3.

Tonight’s game will be the first of two contests during the season when the Predators will be show their support for the National Hockey League’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative.

The Predators Foundation’s silent auction table will include special Hockey Fights Cancer warm-up jerseys worn and autographed by the players during tonight’s pregame skate. The silent-auction table will also offer Hockey Fights Cancer themed Mystery Sticks and bracelets as well as Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt t-shirts. All proceeds from the silent auction – and 25 percent of every single-game ticket sold – will be donated back to Children’s Hospital.

Game time is at 7pm CT. Tickets remain available for the contest as well as Saturday’s tilt against the Anaheim Ducks.

 

 

Photo credit: AP