BLUES AT PREDATORS
When: Saturday, March 12 at 11:30 a.m.
Where: Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN
Watch: Bally Sports Midwest, Bally Sports app
Listen: 101 ESPN, Blues app
TEAM SNAPSHOTS
BLUES The Blues ended their four-game skid in a big way Thursday night, scoring early and often en route to a 6-2 win over the New York Rangers. Five Blues recorded multi-point games, including Robert Thomas, who notched two goals. Goaltender Ville Husso stopped 27 of 29 shots for his 14th win of the season.
“These a certain way you have to play to be successful,” said head coach Craig Berube. “For three games, we didn’t do that. Tonight, we did it again and we were successful.”
PREDATORS The Predators earned a 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night. Matt Duchene and Filip Forsberg led the way on offense with three points each while goaltender Juuse Saros made 27 saves in net. It was Nashville’s third consecutive win, having outscored their opponents 14-2 during the stretch.
“We were pretty average tonight, but found a way to get it done.” Duchene told NHL.com. “We got some big saves and special teams were big. You’re not going to be at your best every night, but we still found a way.”
HEAD-TO-HEAD There’s plenty on the line Saturday as the two division opponents face off. The Blues are just three points ahead of the Predators as the teams fight for a playoff spot in a crowded Central Division. The two teams will see each other one more time in the regular season, an April 17 matchup at Bridgestone Arena.
The Blues are 1-0-1 against the Preds this season and 1-1-1 in their last three trips to Nashville.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
BLUES Forward David Perron has five goals and seven points in his last five games. He has been reunited on a line with Ryan O’Reilly, who has five points in his last five games.
PREDS Goaltender Juuse Saros has started 48 of the Predators’ 57 games this season, registering a 2.38 save-percentage and .925 goals-against average. He has faced the second-most shots (1,498) among all goaltenders this season.
BLUE NOTES
Brayden Schenn registered two assists on Thursday to reach 500 career points … Ville Husso ranks second among all goaltenders (minimum 10 games) with a .930 save-percentage and fifth with a 2.16 goals-against average this season … The Blues power play shares third at 25.3 percent this season and the team is 24-7-3 when scoring at least one power-play goal … Justin Faulk ranks seventh overall with a +34 rating this season.