Scouting the Predators

Tonight’s game is the first of four meetings between the Kings and Nashville Predators. The Kings went 3-1-0 against the Predators last season, and Jonathan Bernier started all four games in goal, so guess who gets the call tonight? (It’s not a trick question. It’s Bernier). After a bumpy start, the Predators are on an upswing, with a 4-0-1 record in their last five games, including two shutouts. Pekka Rinner — he of the new seven-year, $49-million contract extension — started the first 13 games of the season, but with the Predators starting a back-to-back set, indications were that Anders Lindback would get the start tonight. Lindback has appeared in one game this season, in a two-period relief role, and had a 2.60 goals-against average in 22 games last season. The Predators have some other lineup questions. For the latest on them, check out today’s blog post from The Tennessean, followed by the expected lineups for the Kings and Predators and the Predators’ full roster…

A rest for Rinne?

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KINGS LINEUP
Gagne-Kopitar-Williams
Penner-Richards-Brown
Clifford-Stoll-Parse
Moreau-Richardson-Lewis

Mitchell-Doughty
Scuderi-Johnson
Martinez-Greene

Bernier
Quick

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PREDATORS LINEUP
Colin Wilson-David Legwand-Patric Hornqvist
Craig Smith-Mike Fisher-Martin Erat
Matt Halischuk-Jerred Smithson-Jordin Tootoo
Niclas Bergfors-Blake Geoffrion-Brian McGrattan

Francis Bouillon-Shea Weber
Ryan Suter-Jonathon Blum
Teemu Laakso-Jack Hillen

Anders Lindback
Pekka Rinne

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PREDATORS ROSTER
2 — Teemu Laakso — D
5 — Blake Geoffrion — LW
6 — Shea Weber — D
7 — Jonathon Blum — D
8 — Kevin Klein — D
10 — Martin Erat — RW
11 — David Legwand — C
12 — Mike Fisher — C
13 — Nick Spaling — LW
15 — Craig Smith — C
16 — Niclas Bergfors — RW
20 — Ryan Suter — D
22 — Jordin Tootoo — RW
23 — Brian McGrattan — RW
24 — Matt Halischuk — RW
25 — Jerred Smithson — C
27 — Patric Hornqvist — RW
33 — Colin Wilson — C
36 — Jack Hillen — D
51 — Francis Bouillon — D
74 — Sergei Kostitsyn — LW

35 — Pekka Rinne — G
39 — Anders Lindback — G