NHLBAM1_12NSHvsWPGPreview2

After a quick stop back in Nashville following their win in Chicago on Thursday, the Predators are back on the road - this time north of the border - to continue their three-game trip in Winnipeg this afternoon against the Jets.
The matinee matchup is the second of four meetings between the two Central Division rivals; each club will host the other once more after today in the final three months of the season.
The Predators had themselves quite a night on Thursday against Blackhawks that ended in a 5-2 win at United Center. Not only was it the first win as Nashville's head coach for John Hynes, but Pekka Rinne became just the 12th goaltender in NHL history to score a goal when he added the fifth of the night for the visitors.

Although it was technically the second outing for Hynes behind the Nashville bench, it was the first one that truly featured his systems and concepts, as the Preds look to embrace what the new head coach brings to the club - and that will continue today in Winnipeg.
"For us, every game is big, so it's about making sure that we're mentally and physically ready to play," Hynes said. "And then when the game begins, it's about being consistent. That's what we talked to the guys about: consistently playing the right way and consistently mentally engaging and making the right decisions."
Due to a 1 p.m. CT start today, the Preds will not hold a morning skate in Winnipeg, but they did practice yesterday in Nashville. Defenseman Dante Fabbro (upper-body, day-to-day), who has not played since the Winter Classic on New Year's Day, skated with the group and was paired alongside Mattias Ekholm on the blue line.
Coach Hynes said defenseman Ryan Ellis and forward Colton Sissons, both of whom are on Injured Reserve, are not making the trip to Canada, but both are progressing from their respective injuries.

Last Time Out:
Viktor Arvidsson, Colin Blackwell, Matt Duchene, Nick Bonino, and yes, Rinne, all tallied for the Preds in their 5-2 win over the Blackhawks on Thursday. In addition to Rinne, Blackwell's goal was also his first in the NHL, and Preds Captain Roman Josi extended his career-high point streak to 12 games.
Josi leads the Preds with 46 points, followed by Filip Forsberg with 31 and Duchene with 30. Forsberg has 15 goals on the season, Josi and Bonino have 14 each, and Calle Jarnkrok has 12 tallies on the season.
The Opposition:
The Jets dropped a 5-4 decision in Boston on Thursday, but they had points in three-straight outings prior to that contest. Mark Scheifele leads the Jets with 22 goals and 51 points, followed by Kyle Connor - who also has 22 goals - with 44 points, and then Patrik Laine with 41 points. Nikolaj Ehlers has 18 goals on the season, Laine has 15 and Blake Wheeler has 14. Connor Hellebuyck is 20-12-4 in net for the Jets.
All-Time Meetings:
The Predators are 24-16-(1)-4 all-time against the Jets franchise, including a 9-8-(1)-4 record on the road. Overall, Nashville has earned at least a point in five of its last 10 meetings with Winnipeg (4-5-1).
The Preds have picked up a point in two of their last four (1-2-1) and seven of their last 12 (5-5-2) games against the Jets at Bell MTS Place.
Notables Versus Winnipeg:
Roman Josi tied the Preds franchise record for assists and points in a game with five on Feb. 27, 2018, at Winnipeg. He has 20 points (3g-17a) in 26 career games versus the Jets. Ryan Johansen is averaging more than a point-per-game in his career against Winnipeg, tallying 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points in 24 games.
Filip Forsberg has picked up at least one point in eight of his last 12 contests against the Jets and has posted 17 points (3g-14a) in 26 career contests versus Winnipeg. Viktor Arvidsson has produced at nearly a point-per-game pace in his 16 career meetings with the Jets (4g-10a).
Watch & Listen:
Coverage for today's 1 p.m. (CT) puck drop from Bell MTS Place begins with Predators Live on Fox Sports Tennessee at 12:30 p.m. Willy Daunic, Chris Mason and Lyndsay Rowley have the call on the television side, while Pete Weber and Hal Gill will broadcast on 102.5 The Game and the Predators Radio Network. Pregame coverage on the radio side begins at 12 p.m. with Darren McFarland. For broadcast information and channel locations throughout the country,
click here
.
Today's Preds Official Watch Party takes place at Kentucky Downs (must be 21 or older to attend). The first 50 fans to attend will receive a Filip Forsberg bobblehead presented by Dr Pepper.
If the Predators are playing hockey, you can count on the game being on at Preds Approved Bars & Restaurants. Locations throughout Tennessee may be seen by
clicking here
.
Streaming Info:
Listen to a Live Radio Feed
(only active during the game broadcast window).
Watch a Live Stream of the game
on the Fox Sports Go App or
Watch on NHL.TV