Adam Williams presents his prediction for the NHL match.
Both clubs evidently cannot count this season as a success. Both were considered contenders for high playoff positions, yet the hosts seem already out of the picture, while the visitors face a tough battle for a wild card spot.
Nashville Predators
Holding the bottom position in the NHL standings is becoming familiar for the Predators. No roster changes or trades have led to consistently positive results. In their last 10 games, they have secured just one victory, and that was away from home. The Predators have managed to draw in four matches but nothing more.
New York Rangers
There's no talk of a top-three finish in the Metropolitan Division when the Rangers are following an underdog's trajectory (3-7-0). It's bad enough when the goalkeepers aren't saving the day (Igor Shesterkin conceding more than three goals per game), but the attack has also been fragile in many matches, and their top scorer, Artemi Panarin (15+21), missed the last game against the St. Louis Blues (2:3). Panarin may return for this match. Notably, the Rangers have scored no more than three goals in 10 of their last 13 games.
Nashville Predators vs New York Rangers Prediction
Confidence that the Rangers will defeat the hosts is lacking, although they are naturally the favourites. What is certain is that they won't score many goals, especially as the Nashville Predators' goaltender Juuse Saros, despite not having personal victories in his last eight games, consistently maintains a decent save percentage of around 90%. Whether the visitors will actually win is another matter.
