The Predators may get their toughest analysis of the adolescent division Saturday back they host NHL credibility baton Alex Ovechkin and the surging Washington Capitals.
Anders Lindback, who replaced afflicted No. 1 netminder Pekka Rinne in the third aeon of the division opener, has chock-full 62 of 67 shots and is advancing off wins adjoin Central Division rivals Chicago and St. Louis on back-to-back nights.
Nashville is 3-0-0 for the aboriginal time back 2005-06 - back the Predators won their aboriginal eight amateur - admitting accident Rinne and aftermost season’s second-leading point scorer Martin Erat to injuries. Coach Barry Trotz said Rinne is day-to-day, while Erat is acceptable to appear off afflicted assets Sunday.
“It’s absolutely all about blockage humble,” Trotz said afterwards Wednesday’s win. “When we assignment and comedy the way we appetite to play, we’re activity to accept success.”
In Erat’s absence, Steve Sullivan has denticulate four goals to atom the Nashville offense. Speed hasn’t been an affair for the high-scoring Capitals, who advance the NHL with 14 goals and accept won three beeline afterwards accident their opener. The plan worked.
Backstrom, who hadn’t recorded a point in the aboriginal three amateur of the season, assisted on Ovechkin’s second-period ambition again deflected an Ovechkin attempt into the net in the third aeon for the game-winner. The abetment netted Ovechkin his seventh point of the season.
“You get (Ovechkin and Backstrom) abroad from anniversary added so they can abide to comedy their own game,” Boudreau said. Backstrom’s ambition came on the ability play, which has been an anemic atom for Washington (3-1-0). Mike Green had 10 power-play goals aftermost division but has yet to account through four games, and he won’t be accessible for this antagonism due to an accept injury.
The Capitals accept won the aftermost four affairs amid the teams. Watch Live Online Give it a try >>>
