Philadelphia Flyers vs Nashville Predators Preview and Predictions

The Philadelphia Flyers’ offense is starting to show up again, as they’ve scored eight goals in the last two games. But will Claude Giroux and company be as explosive on the attack when they meet the Nashville Predators later tonight? Nashville saw their four-game win streak end on Tuesday with a loss to St. Louis, but that shouldn’t diminish the Preds’ image as one of the best defensive teams in the NHL.

Read on for more about this matchup. You can also check out our preview of Thursday’s UCLA vs. USC college hoops matchup.

NHL News and Predictions

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Nashville Predators Preview

Where: Bridgestone Arena, Nashville

When: Thursday, February 4, 8:00 PM ET

Line: Philadelphia Flyer vs. Nashville Predators– view all NHL lines

TV Broadcast: CSN (Local: PHI)/ FSSM (Local: NSH)

Betting on the Philadelphia Flyers (22-18-8)

The Flyers had a nice start to the second half of the season, as they scored a 4-2 win over Montreal on Tuesday. It was the second straight victory for Philly, who also beat Washington on January 27, 4-3. The Flyers now look to make it three in a row when they play in Nashville later tonight.

Despite numerous errors in their first meeting with Nashville, the Flyers were able to come up with a 3-2 overtime win back in November 27. Of course, the Flyers can’t hope to get away again with as many giveaways this time as in that game – they had 11 against Nashville’s four – with the Preds starting to round into form.

In any case, the Flyers will be looking for Jakub Voracek and Wayne Simmonds to continue their impressive play since January. Voracek leads the team with 15 points (four goals and 11 assists), while linemate Simmonds has seven goals and four assists thus far this year. Brayden Schenn, meanwhile, provides added firepower from the second line, as he’s second on the team during that stretch with 13 points (six goals and seven assists).

Steve Mason (11-12-6, 2.70 GAA, .915 SV%) is likely to be in front of the net for the Flyers later tonight with main backup Michal Neuvirth nursing a lower body injury.

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Betting on the Nashville Predators (24-19-8)

It’s not easy to score on Nashville these days, as the team gas allowed just five goals in its past five games. That includes a 1-0 loss to St. Louis on Tuesday that snapped the team’s four-game win streak.

Nashville was plain horrible on the attack against the Blues, as the Preds were outshot, 23-16, and registered 22 giveaways. The Preds are already enjoying the fruit of Pekka Rinne and backup goalie Carter Hutton between the pipes of late, but games like that one against St. Louis in which their offense goes south definitely sabotage their goalies’ astounding job.

That being said, the sight of Steve Mason later tonight bodes well for Nashville, as the Preds are 7-1 in their last eight home games in which Mason starts for their opponents. Moreover, they’ve scored 10 goals in their last three games against Mason’s teams.

The Preds will rely mainly on the sticks of James Neal and Filip Forsberg, the team’s top two goal scorers. On the season, Neal has 18 goals, while Forsberg is right behind him with 14.

The Preds are also hoping their blue line does a better job of making Rinne’s life between the sticks a little easier against the Flyers. The Preds were outshot by Philly in the first meeting, 36-35, with the Flyers taking six shots on goal in overtime. On the flipside, Nashville managed to get off just one shot in extra time.

Speaking of the Preds’ blue line, the team’s defensemen have the unique ability to dictate the outcome with their offense with the likes of Shea Weber and Roman Josi each scoring at least 10 goals on the season.