Phoenix Coyotes vs Nashville Predators Bridgestone Arena- Nashville, TN Puck Drops at 5:00 PM AZ Time TV: FSN-AZ Radio: KFNX 1100 News-Talk Radio

The Coyotes and Predators meet for only the third time this season and for the final time at the Bridgestone Arena. Coyotes fans may remember the last time these two teams met in Nashville as both teams battled to a 0-0 tie through over time and Adrian ‘The Closer’ Aucoin scoring the winning goal in the tenth round of the shootout. Both teams played a perfect game as no mistakes were made that allowed their opponents any form of a scoring chance.

That game took place on February 2nd. A lot has changed since then.

The Predators are are on a tear right now. They are about to play the 14th of 17th game this month and have a 9-4-0 record to show for it. In the last seven games they have allowed only 10 goals and have been on the penalty kill for a league low of 2.83 times per game.

What does this mean?

If both teams bring their ‘A’ games, we’re in for a hell of a defensive battle tonight folks, just like the last time these two teams met in Nashville.

In addition, Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne has been spectacular since the Coyotes and Predators last met in February. He has been one of the main reasons that the Predators have risen to 7th in the Western Conference.

Check out these stats:

- Has started 10 of 13 games this month which includes a string of seven straight
- On Monday he was named the NHL’s first star of the week. For that week Rinne had a 4-0-0 record with a 1.22 GAA, a .958 save percentage, and two back-to-back shutouts.

Had Nashville not been leveraging both of their goaltenders this season instead of just starting Rinne, I’m pretty sure that we would have another name added to the Vezina Trophy finalists list along with Bryzgalov and Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller.

Both teams will be expecting a playoff type atmosphere tonight and we will be looking forward to a hell of a battle.

Game Notes:

- Tonight’s game will be broadcast on KFNX 1100 News-Talk Radio

- Coyotes Goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov is expected to start in goal tonight.

- Todd Walsh of Fox Sports Arizona reported that Coyotes Forward Vernon Fiddler may be out of the lineup tonight. The Coyotes reported that he may be leaving the team for the birth of his second child before the start of the game.

Things to watch for:

Scoring – Just how few goals will be scored tonight? If both teams are on their game, it’s entirely possible for another ’0-0-all-the-way-into-the-10-th-round-of-the-shootout” result.

Keys to the game:

Faceoffs – After two extremely poor showings against the Blackhawks, the Coyotes have set of alarm bells for their inability to win faceoffs on a regular basis….especially in critical situations. They can’t afford another game where they lose the majority of faceoff battles.

Fewest mistakes – The winner of tonight’s game will be the one who makes the fewest mistakes on the ice. It’s going to be a tough defensive battle coupled with a playoff intensity. Discipline is going to be needed tonight.

Solve Rinne – Rinne has been nothing short of spectacular as of late. It seems that the Coyotes will be playing a mirror image of their team in most aspects of the game. This includes goaltending. The Coyotes are going to have to find a way to solve Rinne to be able to win tonight.

Officials:

Referees: Kerry Fraser (#2), Brad Meier (#34)
Linesmen: Michel Cormier (#76), Shane Heyer (#55)

Injuries/Scratches:

Coyotes: Kurt Sauer(IR), Scottie Upshall(IR), Robert Lang(Day to Day)
Predators: Joel Ward (Out), Denis Grebeshkov(Out), Jason Arnott (questionable)