Predators Team Report

INSIDE SHOTS

The Predators will have to make a quick turnaround as they return home Saturday night to face the Minnesota Wild for the second time in four days.

The Predators have to do the same thing they did Wednesday night when they lost 5-4 to the Wild in Minnesota. After struggling to score five-on-five, the Predators’ last 14 goals have been at even strength.

And even though the line of center Jason Arnott(notes), left wing Steve Sullivan(notes) and right wing J.P. Dumont(notes) have carried much of the load, players like Martin Erat(notes) and David Legwand(notes) are waking up offensively.

The Predators couldn’t hold a lead against the Wild, but they were able to rebound against Chicago.

The team is healthy, but coach Barry Trotz is still looking for depth, especially on offense.

Defensively, the Predators are making few mistakes.

Predators 4, Blackhawks 1:   The Predators’ offense has produced eight goals in the past two games, all on the road. This time around, the line of center Marcel Goc(notes), left wing Jordin Tootoo(notes) and right wing Martin Erat accounted for half of the goals with Erat and Tootoo both scoring. The Predators spotted Chicago a 1-0 lead and then scored four unanswered goals, including two in the third period.

NOTES, QUOTES

• The penalty kill has been perfect in nine of the last 13 games.

• The Predators ended a two-game winless string with the victory. They have three points in their last two games.

• The Predators are playing the fifth of 15 back-to-back series this season. They are 2-3-0 in the first half of back-to-backs and 3-1-0 in the second half.

ROSTER REPORT

Goaltenders:   Dan Ellis(notes), Pekka Rinne(notes).

Defensemen:   Shea Weber(notes), Ryan Suter(notes), Francis Bouillon(notes), Kevin Klein(notes), Cody Franson(notes), Dan Hamhuis(notes).

First Line:   J.P. Dumont, Jason Arnott, Steve Sullivan.

Second Line:   Jerred Smithson(notes), David Legwand, Joel Ward(notes).

Third Line:   Jordin Tootoo, Marcel Goc, Martin Erat.

Fourth Line:   Ryan Jones(notes), Cal O’Reilly(notes), Patric Hornqvist(notes).

Player Notes:  

• C Cal O’Reilly was recalled from Milwaukee. C Michael Santorelli was reassigned to Milwaukee. Santorelli has played in 21 of 27 games for the Predators and. He has three points (two goals, one assist). LW Ryan Jones played his first game since being recalled from Milwaukee.

• RW Martin Erat had one goal and one assist against Chicago. He has scored eight points (four goals, four assists) in his last eight games.

• RW Joel Ward scored a goal, his fifth of the season. Dating back to last season the Predators are 15-2-2 when he scores. This season the Predators are 10-0-0 when Ward gets a point.

—C David Legwand has 10 points (four goals, six assists) in his last 10 games.

—G Dan Ellis stopped 34 shots for the win in only his second start in 12 games.

Medical Watch:  

—C Dave Scatchard(notes) has missed three games with an upper body injury.