Preseason Game Day: Lightning vs. Preds Preview

The preseason schedule is already halfway complete for the Predators, and game No. 4 on the docket arrives tonight at Bridgestone Arena as the Tampa Bay Lightning come to town at 7 p.m. CT.
This evening's contest is the first of two preseason outings for the Preds in Nashville, and the home team is coming off their first exhibition win of Training Camp with a 6-2 victory over the Lightning on Thursday night. Filip Forsberg and Egor Afanasyev each tallied twice in the win, while Matt Duchene and Tommy Novak also found the back of the net.

Tonight, Preds Head Coach John Hynes and his staff will get another look at 20 of the 52 players who still remain on the team's roster, and the bench boss has been pleased with what he's seen thus far, especially following a six-goal output.

"We played to our identity that we ended the year with last year," Hynes said following Thursday's win. "It was nice to build off the Florida games [last Sunday] and to get rewarded on the scoresheet."
Afanasyev, who has three goals and four points in two preseason games for the Preds, leads the team in points and was tied for first in NHL in scoring entering Friday night's action. Forsberg (2g-1a), Tanner Jeannot (2g-1a) and Yakov Trenin (1g-2a) each have three points apiece.
The line of Forsberg, Duchene and Ryan Johansen saw their first action of the preseason on Thursday night, while goaltenders David Rittich and Connor Ingram split time in net to combine for the win.

Tonight, more Preds will make their preseason debuts, including Mikael Granlund, Roman Josi, Mattias Ekholm and Juuse Saros. Following today's morning skate, Hynes said Granlund will center a line with Jeannot and Luke Kunin, another trio the coaching staff is eager to see.
\[Tonight's Rosters - Lightning vs. Preds\]

When You Go:

The Bridgestone Arena Plaza opens at 4 p.m. CT, and Arena doors open at 5 p.m. ahead of tonight's 7 p.m. puck drop in Smashville.
All guests aged 12 and older attending tonight's game will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test administered by a healthcare professional within 72 hours prior to the event that includes their name and the date of the test.
Fans attending the game are encouraged to use the CLEAR Health Pass
to provide easy proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test and offer safer and faster fan entry into events held at the venue.
The CLEAR Health Pass - Bridgestone Arena's preferred vaccine verification method - is a free mobile app that securely houses COVID-19 vaccination and test information. Predators fans and all Bridgestone Arena attendees ages 18 and older are encouraged to utilize the CLEAR Health Pass app to make entry into the venue as smooth as possible. All Bridgestone Arena entrances, including the two main ones at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Broadway and Demonbreun Street, will accept the CLEAR Health Pass for venue access.
Anyone unable to use the CLEAR Health Pass
must follow all Bridgestone Arena entry protocols
.

Watch & Listen:

Tonight's game will be streamed live on NashvillePredators.com. Fans may also listen to the contest on ESPN 102.5 The Game with Pete Weber and Hal Gill on the call. The pregame show starts at 6:30 p.m. CT with Darren McFarland broadcasting live from 102.5's new location inside the former Patron Platinum Club at Bridgestone Arena.