The Arizona Coyotes (6-6-1) head to Nashville as they continue their five-game roadtrip against the Predators (5-8) inside Bridgestone Arena tonight at 6 p.m.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Game day in Music City ????
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???? Bridgestone Arena pic.twitter.com/4GoKvVFopf— Arizona Coyotes (@ArizonaCoyotes) November 11, 2023
Previously, Arizona took seven penalties which impacted their offense almost throughout the 2-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Nov. 9.
In contrast, the Predators are on a two-game winless skid as they fell to the Winnipeg Jets 6-3 two days ago.
With the Central Division so congested, a Coyotes loss would see them fall from third place last week to sixth if the Minnesota Wild beat the Dallas Stars tomorrow.
However, if the “Desert Dogs” win and the Blues lose to the Colorado Avalanche, Arizona could move back to fourth even though St. Louis does have a game in-hand after tonight.
Which team will be the hunter and who will be the hunted?
Here is all you need to know before the Coyotes and Predators clash in “Smashville:”
Two ‘Yotes Return to Nashville
One, technically two current players on the ‘Yotes roster will make their returns to Nashville.
Coyotes goaltender Connor Ingram was traded by the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Predators on Jun. 14, 2019.
There, Ingram suited up for three games as a Predator two years later after spending time in the AHL.
Following the 2021-22 playoffs, Ingram was placed on waivers and claimed by Arizona.
Additionally, Coyotes left wing Michael Carcone was on Nashville, but would never a play a second for them.
Right before the 2020-21 season, the Ottawa Senators dealt Carcone to the Predators before being sent down to Nashville’s AHL team, the Milwaukee Admirals.
But, the Admirals canceled that season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the players on their team that wanted to play had to look elsewhere.
On loan, Carcone went to the Tucson Roadrunners, the AHL affiliate of Arizona.
Thing is, Carcone was a free agent after that campaign and opted to sign a two-year, two way contract with the Coyotes on Jul. 28, 2021.
The rest is history.
Other Notes
Last game, Arizona right wing Nick Schmaltz continued his point-per-game pace with 13 in 13 games after assisting in game against the Blues.
As for Nashville, they are being led by forward Filip Forsberg who has had a resurgent 2023-24 campaign so far.
Forsberg missed the last 32 games a season ago for the Predators with an upper-body injury.
Since 2017, he has had multiple injuries that has kept him out of the lineup.
Now, Forsberg has scored 4 goals and assisted 10 times in 13 contests for Nashville as he looks to get back to the 84 point-mark he set back in 2021-22.
Furthermore, Predators elite defenseman Roman Josi is always a threat to any team despite not being on the best of runs to start a season.
The 2019-20 Norris Trophy winner for best defenseman in the league currently has 2 goals and 6 assists in 13 games.
Since Coyotes goaltender Karel Vejmelka was in net against St. Louis two days ago, Ingram should get the nod tonight in the arena that he kickstarted his NHL career in.
Arizona defenseman Travis Dermott is out “week-to-week” with an upper-body injury.
On the other hand, the Predators will be without defenseman Ryan McDonough who is labeled as “day-to-day” as he is dealing with a lower-body problem.
History
The Coyotes were 2-1-1 against Nashville in four games last season.
First, Arizona center Nick Bjugstad scored twice and had an assist, but the Predators won 4-3 in a shootout on Nov. 21, 2022.
Then, ‘Yotes left wing Lawson Crouse netted 2 goals to power them to a 4-2 win on Feb. 13 in “Music City.”
At Mullett Arena, Josi recorded a goal and 3 assists on Feb. 26 to crush the Coyotes 6-2.
In the last matchup on Mar. 9, Arizona Coyotes left wing Clayton Keller assisted twice in a 4-1 win in Tempe.
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Alec Cipollini is the lead reporter of the Arizona Coyotes and Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account @AlecCipollini
