Predators Visit Coyotes - Game #51 Preview - Water Logged Edition

It's stormy here in the Greater Phoenix Area, much like I imagine it was in the Coyotes locker room and practices after that Buffaloss. That was just god awful. Hopefully the Boys have learned their lesson and keep that game and not only the lowest point of the season, but of everything you shouldn't do when at the rink.

With the storms, that are supposed to be significant, I'd imagine that turnout will be less than spectacular since nobody here seems to know how to drive in the rain. Luckily I'll be there to update people on what's going on though.

Phoenix is finishing up their season high 6-game homestand tonight  and they've only gone 2-2-1 over the previous 5. We could really use the win tonight not just to end on a good note, but to pull ahead of the Preds who are currently tied with us in points. This is the first of the four meetings this year between the two teams and it looks as though each one of them is going to be pretty important. We have to find a way to keep the Preds below us in the standings (along with the other western teams) and winning the head-to-heads is obviously the best way to accomplish that.

The Predators last played the Maple Leafs on Tuesday with a disappointing 4-3 loss. Pekka Renne did not fair well in goal for the Preds and so due both to that, and Barry Trotz's platooning, we'll see Dan Ellis in net for the Predators.

The Coyotes will once again go with Ilya Bryzgalov even with his performance last game. Both he and Jason LaBarbera let in some weak goals, but weren't helped in the least by the lack of defensive play by the rest of the team. He need to get back in his groove or The Coyotes will start sliding down the standings in a hurry.

Key Players

Vernon Fiddler

#38 / Left Wing / Phoenix Coyotes

Height: 5-11

Weight: 201

Born: May 09, 1980

He's a former Predator player and fan favorite. Players always like to have big games against former teams. Hopefully Fidds has some fireworks in store.

Martin Erat

#10 / Left Wing / Nashville Predators

Height: 6-0

Weight: 203

Born: Aug 29, 1981

He's been ice cold lately according to the SBN Predators' site On the Forecheck, but with 15-13-28 on the year, he's someone we need to lookout for.

The Infirmary