Wild at Predators
THE STORY: The Nashville Predators host the Minnesota Wild on
Tuesday with home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs still
within grasp. Nashville is one point behind Detroit for fourth place in
the Western Conference with three games remaining. The Predators have
struggled a bit lately, losing two of three both overall and at home.
Minnesota enters with a three-game winning streak but has dropped six of
eight on the road.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS North, FS Wisconsin (Wild), FS Tennessee (Predators)
ABOUT THE WILD (34-35-10):
Minnesota is playing its final road game of the season. It has gone
15-19-6 away from home, losing 20 of its last 26. Dany Heatley and Kyle
Brodziak share the team lead with 22 goals apiece. Heatley will finish
below the 30-goal mark for the second straight season after notching at
least 39 in five consecutive campaigns. The Wild have lost nine of their
last 10 games against Central Division opponents.
ABOUT THE PREDATORS (45-26-8):
Alexander Radulov is living up to expectations as he has recorded three
goals and three assists in six games since rejoining Nashville after
four seasons in Russia. The 25-year-old has tallied in each of his last
two contests and registered a point in five of six. David Legwand
registered two assists in Saturday's loss to Chicago, giving him 500
career points. The Predators have won nine of their last 11 meetings
with Northwest Division clubs.
OVERTIME:
1. All three of the previous meetings this season were one-goal decisions, with the Predators winning twice.
2. Neither team has fared well on Tuesdays of late as Minnesota has lost seven straight and Nashville dropping four in a row.
3. The Predators have won five of the last six overall games in the all-time series and four straight at home.