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Nashville Predators (31-10-5) vs. St. Louis Blues (29-13-5)
Game Time: Thursday Jan. 29, 2015 8:00 p.m. ET
Players to Watch:
Nashville: D Shea Weber, RW Filip Forsberg
St. Louis: RW T.J. Oshie. D Kevin Shattenkirk
The Nashville Predators and St. Louis Blues have been two of the best teams in the NHL, and they will both be looking to make a statement when they faceoff on Thursday night in St. Louis. The Blues were supposed to be a contender and they are; but the Predators, meanwhile, are one of the biggest surprises in the league. They have shed the upstart label and are looking like a legitimate Stanley Cup contender.
Nashville is led by all-world defenseman Shea Weber who won the hardest shot contest during the All-Star Weekend at a blistering 108.5 MPH. Blues goalie Brian Elliott will need his head on a swivel when Weber tees one up. Look for Weber and his partner Roman Josi to play full and complete games and have just as much of an impact defensively as they do offensively against a great group of Blues forwards.
Filip Forsberg is one of the league’s best rookies and has been one of the most important players for the Predators. The Swedish sensation has the chance to be Nashville’s first homegrown superstar, and at age 20, he is really just scratching the surface. I expect a big game from Forsberg as he’ll use his craftiness and high hockey IQ to exploit holes in the Blues’ defense.
Likewise, the Blues are led by an All-Star defenseman in the form of former Boston University Terrier Kevin Shattenkirk. Shattenkirk is having a career season, and his amazing offensive contributions are making life easy for his forwards as he’s creating a number of chances. Up front, U.S. Olympic legend T.J. Oshie entered the All-Star break as one of the hottest players in the NHL, and he will look to keep up his hot streak against the Predators.
This is a potential Western Conference Final preview, and both teams will be treating the game as more than just another regular season game. The intensity will be at a season high for both teams, and I see the Predators emerging from the game with the big win on the road.
Final Prediction: Nashville 4, St. Louis 3
