It didn't take long for a postseason rematch to arrive.
For the first time since their Round Two meeting during last spring's Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets will get together tonight at Bridgestone Arena. It's the first of four meetings between the two Central Division rivals; Winnipeg defeated Nashville in seven games last May.
The Preds will try to bounce back tonight after a 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Calgary Flames during Tuesday's home opener in Nashville, their first loss of the young season. Combine the frustration of that defeat with the first rematch against the Jets and there is bound to be a better start this evening.
"The games against them are always tough, they're physical and they're fast," Predators Captain Roman Josi said of facing the Jets. "You saw it last year, and not just in the playoffs, in the regular season, too. They're always good games, fast-paced games, so it's always a lot of fun playing them."
Last Time Out:
The Predators registered 43 shots on Mike Smith, but the Calgary netminder was perfect in a 3-0 result on Tuesday night. Viktor Arvidsson left the game early after being struck up high by a puck, but did return to the contest in the second period sporting a half facemask. Arvidsson was not present for Nashville's practice on Wednesday.
Defensemen P.K. Subban and Mattias Ekholm continue to the lead the team with three points apiece, while Arvidsson has two goals.
The Opposition:
Winnipeg has gone 2-1-0 to start the season, including a 2-1 win over Los Angeles on Tuesday. Kyle Connor leads the Jets with three goals and four points thus far, followed by Blake Wheeler and Mark Scheifele who each have a goal and two assists to their name. Connor Hellebuyck has started all three games for Winnipeg, posting a .926 save percentage.
All-Time Meetings:
Nashville is 23-12-(1)-4 all-time against the Jets franchise, including a 14-6-(0)-0 record at Bridgestone Arena. Overall, Nashville has earned at least a point in four of its last five meetings with Winnipeg, including a 3-1-1 record against the Jets in 2017-18. The Predators have won four of their last five games over the Jets on home ice, averaging 4.5 goals per game in those victories.
Notables vs. WPG:
Roman Josi tied the Preds franchise record for assists and points in a game with five on Feb. 27, 2018, at Winnipeg and owns 19 points (2g-17a) in 21 career games against the Jets. Pekka Rinne is 15-4-1 in his career against Winnipeg with a 2.41 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and two shutouts.
Ryan Johansen is averaging more than a point per game in his career against Winnipeg, tallying 11 goals and 12 assists in 19 games, while Filip Forsberg is on a four-game point streak (4a) and has picked up at least one point in seven of his last nine contests against the Jets.
