Searches for a quick start against predators – Field Level Media – Professional Sportin Hain Solutions

The Seattle octopus will try to keep their fading playoff hopes alive when they visit Nashville Predators on Thursday evening.

A 3-5-1 record in the last nine games has led Seattle behind five teams who fought for the second wildcard slot in the Western Conference. Since the NHL trading deadline is emerging on Friday, it would not be surprising to see that the octopus move some experienced players instead of adding talents for a long-shot playoff run.

The 4: 3 home loss on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild left the octopus neglected in their comeback attempt. Shane Wright and Brandon Montour scored late in the second half to make a game with a goal. The octopus then exceeded the wild wild in the third period, but could not make the balance.

Early deficits are nothing new for the octopuses who surpassed 145-102 in the first two games this season. Seattle exaggerates the opponents 76-53 in third periods, in which often too little, too late.

“We had a boost, we all had a good look, but we couldn't end,” said Wright about the third period on Tuesday. “I have the feeling that we are previously in the games in deep holes. [and] I have to return too often. “

Wright has 15 points in his last 13 games (six goals, nine templates).

If the octopuses are only on the edge of the post -season chase, the Predators sit five points behind Seattle and are more firmly in the type of seller at the closing date. Gustav Nyquist was already moved to the wilderness at the beginning of this week, and other squad -shake eups could come before the puck falls on Thursday.

In the middle of the trade speculations, the predators delivered one of their best performance of the season in the 6: 3 road victory on Tuesday against the Boston Bruins. It was a rare offensive outbreak for a Nashville team that only had an average of only 2.59 goals per game.

“Hopefully we can take this and try … to find some joy on Thursday and to enjoy the process of the game a little,” said Andrew Braunette, coach of Predators. “We put so much pressure on us all year round, so a night feels good.”

The top line of Steven Stamkos, Ryan O'reilly and Luke Evangelista combined three goals and five templates against Boston. Stamkos had a goal and two templates and ended the drought of the star striker's 13 game point.

Juuse Saros will probably compete in Seattle, although Nashville could decide to give just more play time when the season decreases. Saros has a percentage of 0.898 and a record of 14-25-6 over 46 starts, which leads all goalkeepers in losses.

Joey Daccord played in 18 of the last 19 games from Seattle, a severe workload that even took into account the two-week break in the league for the 4 nations face-off. Philipp Grubauer served on Tuesday as Daccords Backup after being called back from the American Hockey League, and Grubauer could have been in line for his first NHL campaign since January 28th.

Filip Forsberg leads Nashville in goals (22), assists (33) and points (55), while Jared McCann Seattle leads with 44 points (15 goals, 29 templates).

The octopuses can sweep their season series with the Predators on Thursday. The octopus won 7: 3 in Nashville on October 15 and 3-0 in Seattle on November 20.

– Field Level Media