Flyers at Predators
THE STORY: The Nashville Predators have been hard to beat at home lately. They face a difficult test Saturday when they host one of the league's best road teams in the Philadelphia Flyers. Nashville has won four of its last five home games and nine of 11. Overall, the Predators have captured three in a row and six of seven. Philadelphia has won two of its first three on its four-game road trip and has won nine of 13 away from home. The Flyers, who have won 24 of 32 overall, lead the Eastern Conference with 16 road victories.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, TCN, FSN Tennessee
ABOUT THE FLYERS (26-12-4): Rookie Sean Couturier has tallied in each of his last three games after going 21 contests without a goal. Scott Hartnell and defenseman Kimmo Timonen are excited to be visiting Nashville, where they both began their NHL careers. "Playing in this city is very cool," Hartnell said. "The way this city embraced us with the cheering, the country music, it was just a great city to start my career." Timonen added, "It kind of feels like coming home, but at the same time, I'm really excited to play, to face the Predators and see the fans again." Rumors have Philadelphia involved in discussions with Toronto about a deal that would send James van Riemsdyk to the Maple Leafs for a package including defenseman Luke Schenn, the older brother of Flyers forward Brayden Schenn.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (24-15-4): Defenseman Ryan Suter reportedly is at the top of Philadelphia's wish list. Suter, who has registered five goals and 20 assists in 43 games this season, is in the final year of his contract. Suter dropped to second place in the league behind Dan Girardi of the New York Rangers in average ice time after playing 24:55 in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Suter now averages 26:57 of ice time per game, with Girardi logging 27:16.
OVERTIME:
1. Philadelphia has won six of its last seven games against the Western Conference and five of six vs. the Central Division.
2. The Flyers have earned at least one point in eight of their last nine meetings with the Predators (3-1-5).
PREDICTION: Predators 5, Flyers 2.