The Nashville Predators conclude a two-game trip tonight in St. Louis when they face the Blues at Enterprise Center for a 7 p.m. CT puck drop. This evening’s contest is the first of three meetings between the division rivals in the month of December; the Preds topped the Blues, 7-2, last week in Nashville.
A pair of rematches from the previous week for the Preds began in Colorado on Saturday night with a 4-2 loss against the Avalanche. Despite the result against the League’s best team, the Predators were still pleased with elements of their game, and they’ll look to continue that tonight in St. Louis.
“It was a game that could have been had,” Preds Head Coach Andrew Brunette said following Saturday’s loss. “We had some really good opportunities to tie the score, but it didn't happen, and we really liked our overall game. There were no passengers. It's kind of been a little bit of the pattern we've had for the last two or three weeks, and we'll continue to do that moving forward.”
“Obviously, we [had] a really good game against them [on Thursday], so they'll be waiting for us,” Preds forward Jonathan Marchessault said of facing the Blues. “It's on us to be able to match that intensity and being ready, right off the bat, for them. They're going to be energized. They're a good team, same situation as us. So it's going to be a good battle for us.”
Forward Cole Smith and defenseman Justin Barron both remain on Injured Reserve and did not play on Saturday. Forward Tyson Jost returned to the Nashville lineup against Colorado; the Preds did not have any healthy scratches.
Nashville did not practice on Sunday but it is expected to hold a morning skate today before facing the Blues.
