Scrimmage Serves as Perfect Preparation for Preds as Preseason Arrives

It's about as close as it gets without the pressure of two points on the line.
The Predators held a Blue & Gold scrimmage on Sunday afternoon at Ford Ice Center, a training camp tradition for Head Coach Peter Laviolette and his staff. It's the first chance of camp for the bosses to see their players - the majority of which were prospects and minor-leaguers, with some NHLers sprinkled in - in a game situation.
Eeli Tolvanen, Frederick Gaudreau, Joonas Lyytinen, Filip Pyrochta and Pavel Koltigyn (two goals) all found the back of the net on the day, a perfect way to impress those watching from above.

But the scrimmage is more than just about scoring goals - it provides a perfect opportunity for participants to get the blood flowing before the exhibition slate begins

"Games like that always help going into preseason," Preds defenseman Yannick Weber said. "It's good for us players to get an actual game in us and get a feel for what's coming next."
What's next is a flight to Florida on Monday morning in advance of Nashville's annual preseason doubleheader against the Panthers. The two will face off twice on Monday - once at 2:30 p.m. CT, the other at 6 p.m. - with a majority of the Predators lineup getting a chance to shake off the summertime rust.
So, what do players like Weber and Colton Sissons look for out of that first game action since the spring?
"It's just certain situations, certain reads, the timing, just kind of things you haven't don't in a few months," Weber said. "Something like today, you can get the rhythm, realize what you can do, what you can't do, and it's also a game where you can make some mistakes and recognize those habits you want to get rid of."
"I just wanted to get my legs under me and play confident, see the ice well and make some plays," Sissons said. "Hopefully, I'll be playing quite a bit in the preseason, and I just want to go out there and prove my worth again, show what I'm capable of and keep getting better."

Perhaps the "it's just like riding a bike" analogy is the perfect comparison here. A professional hockey player isn't going to forget how to skate during the offseason, but they're not going to be as sharp in September as they will in April, either.
So, the Preds will take off for the Sunshine State in search of that feeling once more - and a pair of victories.
"Today was a good start against your own teammates, and tomorrow, with the split squad game, it'll be another pace," Weber said. "It'll be a little bit quicker than today, and we definitely want to get some wins tomorrow, so I think it's just the next step you can take as a player and prepare yourself for the regular season."