The Predators’ regular season concludes with three games in four days, two of which are on the road. These games could be meaningful for playoff positioning or possibly to provide players some time off for rest and healing of bumps and bruises before the playoffs begin.
The NHL playoffs are set to begin Saturday, April 20.
First Period
Friday, April 12 at Chicago Blackhawks
Predictably, it has been a down year for the Blackhawks. They are in the basement of the Central Division standings and only the San Jose Sharks have fewer standings points than Chicago.
The Blackhawks feature Connor Bedard, the first overall draft pick in June’s Entry Draft held at Bridgestone Arena. He will likely win the Calder Trophy given to the NHL’s top rookie.
After winning the first three matchups between the teams, the Predators will go for the season sweep in this game.
Second Period
Sat., April 13 vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
The Predators close out the home portion of the regular season with a visit from the Columbus Blue Jackets. When the Predators and Blue Jackets entered the NHL as expansion franchises in 1998 and 2000, respectively, they played against each other more frequently, as the Blue Jackets were in the Central Division until they moved to the Eastern Conference as part of the NHL’s realignment that took effect at the beginning of the 2013-14 season.
They now just meet twice per season, once each in each city.
No opponent is more welcome on the Predators’ schedule than the Blue Jackets. The March 9 game in Ohio’s capital was the 100th all-time meeting between the teams, with the Predators sporting a 68-23-1-8 record.
The 1 in that record was a tie from back when the NHL had ties. That’s a .725 points percentage advantage for the Predators, the highest among all opponents.
Third Period
Monday, April 15 at Pittsburgh Penguins
Tax Day takes the Predators to Pittsburgh for the regular season finale. The Penguins are in a desperate battle to try to reach the playoffs.
Like the Predators, they have had some recent success that has made either a third-place finish in the Metropolitan Division or the Eastern Conference’s final wild card berth a possibility.
The Penguins are in the mix with several teams trying to make the postseason.
Nashville defeated the Penguins 3-2 in the previous meeting between the teams this season. Filip Forsberg’s highlight-reel goal in overtime gave the Predators the victory.