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JUST IN: Winners of 8 straight, Predators seek No. 9 vs. Canadiens

Michael Mills

The Nashville Predators, displaying focus and confidence, are set to continue their longest winning streak of the season.

In contrast, the Montreal Canadiens are currently dealing with speculation about potential changes to their lineup following the upcoming trade deadline.

Looking to secure their ninth consecutive win, the Predators are on a roll as they prepare to face the Canadiens on Tuesday night.

Nashville is currently the hottest team in the NHL, having outscored their opponents 37-13 and consistently scoring at least four goals in each of their eight recent victories. This winning streak equals the second-longest in the franchise’s history. Forward Cody Glass, known for his limited scoring, achieved his first career hat trick as the Predators scored three goals in the third period to clinch a 5-1 home victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

Ryan O’Reilly, a forward for Nashville, reflected on the team’s performance, stating, “It’s been a good stretch and we’ve got to keep things rolling,” after contributing two goals and two assists in the last four games.

“We’re all closely knit, supporting each other, so when things don’t go as planned, we rally around each other. Being a part of this team is an absolute blast.”

Sitting at the second wild-card position in the Western Conference, the Predators are just two wins away from matching their franchise-best 10-game winning streak achieved during the 2017-18 season.

In the last three games, Nashville has only allowed one goal in each game, all with Juuse Saros in goal. Saros boasts a remarkable 1.34 goals-against average and a .954 save percentage during his ongoing six-game winning streak. He made 36 saves in the Predators’ 2-1 victory over Montreal on December 10.

Colton Sissons netted both goals for the Predators in that match. He has contributed three assists in his last two games. Roman Josi, who provided assists for both goals in the game against Montreal in December, has accumulated four goals and five assists in Nashville’s recent five games.

On the other side, the Canadiens are looking at the possibility of missing the playoffs for a third straight season

Despite picking up four points in their recent three games, the Canadiens are currently going through a rough stretch of 4 wins, 10 losses, and 3 overtime losses, with a disappointing 0 wins, 3 losses, and 2 overtime losses on the road. Montreal is coming off two consecutive 4-3 shootout defeats against Florida and Tampa Bay.

In their game against the Lightning on Saturday, Montreal held a 2-0 lead after the first period and was ahead 3-2 in the third period but couldn’t secure the victory.

Rising star Cole Caufield expressed, “Our overall performance is solid at the moment, and we need to improve our ability to close out games in the third period.” Caufield, who has scored only two of his 19 goals in the last 13 games, is a crucial player for both the present and future of the Canadiens.

While Caufield is a key figure for Montreal, other experienced players like Joel Armia, Jake Evans, and goaltender Jake Allen could fetch a decent return if they are traded by the upcoming Friday’s trade deadline.

Armia has contributed two goals and two assists in the past four games, while Evans found the net in the December matchup against Nashville and has accumulated four points (one goal, three assists) in the last four games.

Allen, who has conceded 15 goals in his recent three losses, has seen Cayden Primeau (with a 3.04 goals-against average) and Sam Montembeault (with a 3.15 goals-against average) take turns in goal over the last four games for Montreal. Allen made 30 saves in the game against the Predators in December.

Nashville’s backup goalie, Kevin Lankinen, has let in five goals in his last two wins, both of which were achieved on the road.

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