It seems like some sort of shock therapy for the Predators right now.
Nashville spent three days off for the Christmas break, and has all of a sudden been thrown into playing games in consecutive days. Saturday the Predators will have the Los Angeles Kings. On Friday, Nashville lost 4-1 at the Dallas Stars — a game where the Predators had to travel the day of.
“It was a little rough yesterday to start,” forward Matt Hendricks said. “We were able to have the pre-game skate, which helped for sure, but travel the day of the games is a little different to change up the routine. No excuses, we’re a rested team. We had to travel last night, but we’re not using it as an excuse.”
One of the biggest issues for Nashville is lack of practice time during this stretch. The Predators are a team that is very system-based and needs to work out its issues on practice days. This was a major problem a season ago during the lockout where the Predators had more game days than practice days.
“All you can do is talk about it,” coach Barry Trotz said. “There is no practice time, and there will be no practice time for a while here, just because of the schedule.”
Saturday morning, the Predators didn’t skate, and instead went through a video session.
“I think we had good energy, we just made some mental mistakes and things we’ll clean up,” captain Shea Weber said. “We did some video to counteract that and make sure we’re on the same page and get back at it tonight.”
Forsberg hot for Sweden: Forward Filip Forsberg has been playing well for Team Sweden int he World Junior championships. Through two games he has four points (one goal and three assists).
Forsberg is currently on loan to Team Sweden from Nashville.
No goalie answer: Trotz did not say who was starting for the Predators in goal against the Kings. Carter Hutton started Friday against Dallas.
Olympic connections: The Kings have a few United States Olympic connections. Injured goaltender Jonathan Quick is the likely starter for Team USA, though he has been out since mid-November with a groin injury. Also Los Angeles GM Dean Lombardi is part of the Team USA advisory committee to general manager David Poile.
