Tenn Truth
Fansided

Predators host Jets in monumental Game Seven

By Stetson Marlin

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - MAY 7: Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators follows the puck during action against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 7, 2018 at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jason Halstead /Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pekka Rinne
WINNIPEG, MANITOBA - MAY 7: Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators follows the puck during action against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 7, 2018 at Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jason Halstead /Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Pekka Rinne /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Nashville Predators will host the Winnipeg Jets tonight in Bridgestone Arena for Game 7, in what could be a very important game for both franchises.

Before this series started, many people knew that this series would be a tough one, as it was a series that featured two of the NHL’s best teams during the regular season. I don’t think many people would’ve been surprised if you said this series would go to a Game Seven. So far, this series has featured many back and forth games, but it all boils down to a Game Seven.

This is likely biggest game in Jets history, and is up there for the Predators as well. The Predators have played in two other Game Seven’s, but both of those games were on the road, meaning tonight is the first Game Seven at home in Predators history.

Lineup Changes

This series has featured many lineup changes for the Predators. It won’t be much different tonight, as Ryan Hartman might find himself back into the lineup. Mike Fisher suffered an injury in the first period of Game Six and never returned. Fisher didn’t practice on Wednesday either, so it is likely he won’t be in the lineup tonight for the Predators.

Matt Irwin left practice yesterday, so there’s a chance Alexei Emelin could enter in his place with Yannick Weber.

Keys to the Game

The Predators defense has to be on point tonight if they want to win this game. If the Predators can match their defense play during Game Four and Six, then I believe the Predators can come away with a series win. If their defense is like Game Three and Five, then the Predators will be hitting the golf course earlier than they wanted to. If you are able to play good defense in front of Rinne, then he will show out and show why he is a Vezina Trophy finalist.

The JoFA line for the Predators showed out for the Predators during Game Six, as they boasted a total of eight points. The Predators would like to see that performance out of them again and if they do, the Predators have a great chance of advancing to the conference finals.

The Predators have been in a similar situation before, so I believe it gives the Predators the upper hand tonight. They know what it’s like to win tough games as they showed that all last year during the playoffs. It’ll just be on the Predators tonight to clinch another Western Conference final berth.

Catch the Game

Game Seven will begin around 7:00 PM Central time and will be on NBCSN. You can also listen to the game on 102.5 The Game. There will also be watch parties throughout downtown Nashville where you will be able to watch the game.

Home/Nashville Predators