The Nashville Predators will be visiting the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday and fans could be looking at a potential first round matchup in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Nashville clinched their 5th playoff berth in six years while Phoenix hasn’t seen post-season play since the 2001-2002 season.
Phoenix is in fourth place with 102 points and three games remaining. Nashville is four points behind in 5th. Both teams entered the season under the radar and neither team was predicted to make the playoffs. Now, with a Predators win or overtime loss Wednesday, they can clinch a spot no lower than 7th.
Jason Arnott has been out of the lineup for the Predators for the past two weeks and the Coyotes haven been missing Scottie Upshall since January 28 and is expected to miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL.
The teams have a similar style of play. Neither has a star player but they have coaches that work well with their system.
Nashville (46-28-6)
Patric Hornqvist leads the team in goals (30) and points (51) after having a total of two last season.
Shea Weber and Ryan Suter probably rank in the top three for defensive pairs in the NHL. Weber has 41 points while Suter has 36.
Pekka Rinne is the starting goaltender for the Predators after splitting time with Dan Ellis for most of the season. Rinne is tied for 2nd in shutouts this season (7), trailing only Ilya Bryzgalov who has eight.
Phoenix (48-25-6)
Ilya Bryzgalov leads the league in shutouts (8), ranks 6th for GAA (2.30) and ranks 8th in save percentage (.920).
Wojtek Wolski was a great addition to the Coyotes at the trade deadline. He is the team leader in assists (39) and points (61).
Lee Stempniak, was also acquired during the trade deadline, leads the team in goals (27), including 13 in 14 games and was named the NHL’s First Star of the Month for the month of March.
