Predators Look to Bounce Back Against Ice-Cold Red Wings

The Nashville Predators—19-16-0—look to bounce back after back-to-back losses when they visit Little Caesars Arena to take on the Detroit Red Wings (16-15-4) on Friday. The Predators are riding a three-game road winning streak and have the chance to make it four against the ice-cold Red Wings.

The Red Wings are about as cold as they could be. Their hot start to begin 2023-24 feels like a distant memory as the holiday season saw them sink from their cozy spot in the top three of the Atlantic Division to outside the playoff picture in a matter of weeks. They have a league-worst 2-8-0 record through their last ten, have lost two straight, and are quickly losing ground in the wild-card race.

The last time these two teams squared off was Mar. 14 of last season. The Predators won the game 2-1.

Predators Top Guns Leading The Charge

Amid their last two losses, the Predators’ top weapons continue to put up points. Ryan O’Reilly has three over his last two games, Roman Josi is leading the team in scoring through December, and Filip Forsberg, despite some scoring woes, is still lethal.

While Forsberg was held pointless in his last two and goalless in his last five, he is still on pace to put together the second point-per-game campaign of his career. O’Reilly continues to look like one of the shrewdest signings from this past summer, stepping into the number-one center role with ease. As for the captain, his offensive style has meshed well with head coach Andrew Brunette’s new system.

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Josi and Forberg have cooled off in recent games, while O’Reilly’s proven consistent. Tonight’s matchup is an opportunity for the two to get back on the scoresheet against a bottom-half defensive team.

Players to Watch

Colton Sissons

Colton Sissons is in the middle of a career year and has heated up in December. He’s notched points in his last three and has ten this month. The career bottom-six forward has become a weapon at both ends of the ice, putting time in on the power play, penalty kill, and at even strength for the Predators.

While it’s hard to predict the scorer of a shorthanded goal, there are few better players to bet on than Sissons. Three of the forward’s 11 goals this season have come with the man disadvantage. Expect him to be a threat from every zone tonight as he inches towards matching his…