The Daily: The NHL Team You Don’t Want to Face; Dubas Rebuttal

Michael Gallagher of Nashville Hockey Now points out most teams around the NHL would like to avoid meeting Nashville Predators in the upcoming playoffs.

The Predators are the one NHL team that no one is sure how to defend against. When you get beat by them, it’s like a death by 1,000 cuts, not one fatal blow. The Predators have it all going on during their current 18-game points streak.

Before the streak began, the Predators were not even averaging three goals per game. Since the streak began, they are averaging 4.11 goals per game. They were giving up 3.28 goals-per-game before the streak, and surrendering 1.83 goals per game during the streak.

Their power play efficiency is at 24% and their penalty killing is 84.1%. They are even dominant in the faceoff circle (53.4%). The Predators’ faceoff percentage was below 50% before the streak began.

They have only given up 12 goals in the third period during their 18 game streak.  This is a team that has figured how to earn points every time they play. Nashville hasn’t lost a game in regulation since falling to Dallas on Feb. 15.

You don’t want to face Nashville in the NHL postseason.

Nashville Predators are 16-0-2 since their trip to see U2 in Vegas was canceled

From #PHWA member ⁦@SWhyno⁩ https://t.co/FEfTlV9xqy

— PHWA (@ThePHWA) March 28, 2024

Red Wings In Case You Missed It

• Detroit prospects are at the heart of the Grand Rapids Griffins’ clinching their first American Hockey League playoff berth since 2019. The AHL didn’t have playoffs in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID 19.
• Red Wings first-round pick Axel Sandin Pellikka (2023, 17th pick overall) was a playoff hero in the Swedish Hockey League.
• The Red Wings signed a 2023 NHL draft pick and it’s probably not who you think it is.
• Paywall story: Bob Duff has a story about where Detroit’s top prospects can be seen in playoff competition. To subscribe, click here. Use the promo code bob10 to get $10 off.

Red Wings Next Game

The Red Wings are the +1.5 underdogs for tonight’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Hurricanes are 7-2-1 in their last 10, and their defensive game is strong to the point that it’s lights out if they score three goals. They are 41-6-3 in the 50 games when they have scored more than two goals

Hockey Now Network

Chicago: The Blackhawks keep winning the trade that brought Jason Dickinson to the team. Chicago Blackhawks. Dickinson exceeds expectations in many ways.

Florida: The Florida Panthers rivalry with the Boston Bruins is gaining some steam.

New York: The Islanders have lost defenseman Scott Mayfield for season after successful surgery. New York Islanders.

Pittsburgh:  General manager Kyle Dubas went on a local Pittsburgh radio show and gave his side of the Jake Guentzel trade story. Pittsburgh Penguins.