PRESEASON GAME DAY: Preds at Lightning, September 27 – NHL.com

Nashville Visits Tampa to Start Preseason Again-to-Again Weekend
The preseason schedule continues tonight in Tampa because the Nashville Predators journey to the newly-named Benchmark Worldwide Area to tackle the Lightning at 6 p.m. CT. This night’s contest is the second and closing assembly between the 2 golf equipment this preseason; the Bolts got here again to beat the Preds in a shootout final Tuesday in Nashville.
Tonight’s contest additionally begins a back-to-back for the Predators; they’ll be in Raleigh to face the Hurricanes on Sunday night for his or her penultimate recreation of the preseason.
The Preds started the preseason with a pair of victories over the Florida Panthers final Sunday earlier than falling to the Lightning in a shootout, however Nashville has been inspired by what they’ve seen over the primary week-plus of Coaching Camp. Now, these attempting to make the Opening Evening roster could have two extra probabilities to make an impression on the teaching employees and administration because the common season inches nearer.
“There’s a whole lot of guys right here preventing for spots and attempting to play nicely, and on the identical time…on the brink of go when the common season does begin,” Preds defenseman Kevin Gravel mentioned Thursday following the Gold Star Showcase introduced by Ticketmaster. “I do know it isn’t simply guys preventing for spots, it’s guys on the staff right here attempting to get going so when the primary recreation rolls round they’re able to go and rolling on all cylinders. So, they’re essential video games back-to-back right here, each on the highway, so a whole lot of good alternatives for guys in camp.”
Predators ahead Zach L’Heureux skated in Thursday’s Gold Star Showcase after lacking a number of days of camp and the earlier three preseason video games. Following Friday’s follow, the winger expressed his pleasure to proceed to construct on what he began final season as a rookie.
“I’ve received the stress of creating the NHL once more, so it is slightly totally different,” L’Heureux mentioned. “Clearly final 12 months I used to be attempting to remain the entire 12 months, after which there’s moments the place I felt I received possibly slightly snug. So, I feel coming to camp this 12 months, I did not need to take something with no consideration. I am coming able to play day by day, preventing for a spot. I do know that there is a whole lot of younger guys, a whole lot of good competitors. Guys are exhibiting up, and you’ll see it on the market. You’ll be able to see it within the preseason video games and stuff. So, I feel I’ve received a giant alternative right here on the weekend to in all probability play a recreation or two and showcase what I’ve improved on, so I’m wanting ahead to that.”
Forwards Ozzy and Oasiz Wiesblatt additionally returned to the staff and took part in Thursday’s Showcase and Friday’s follow following their return residence after the sudden passing of their brother, Orca. Preds defenseman Tanner Molendyk is again on the ice following his harm throughout Rookie Camp and has participated in latest days as nicely.
On Wednesday, the Preds introduced defenseman Nic Hague will miss 4-6 weeks with an upper-body harm. Hague, who had been paired with Preds Captain Roman Josi to start out camp, was injured in one in all Nashville’s preseason video games towards Florida final Sunday.
On Friday, the Preds assigned defenseman Cameron Reid again to his OHL membership, the Kitchener Rangers, and launched blueliner Scott Harrington from his skilled tryout settlement.
Tonight’s recreation shall be streamed on NashvillePredators.com. Followers might also hearken to the exhibition match on ESPN 102.5 The Sport and the Preds Radio Community with Max Herz and Hal Gill on the decision.
Click here for tonight’s Nashville roster.

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