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Gameday: Golden Knights look to end slump as they take on the Predators

As you probably already know, the Vegas Golden Knights aren’t playing their best hockey at the moment. Coming into February, it looked as if the Knights were getting ready to take a run at catching up to the first and second place San Jose Sharks and Calgary Flames as they had eight home games on tap. Normally dominant at T-Mobile Arena, it’s been a different story in 2019 as they’ve lost a franchise record five straight home games and counting. As it stands today, the Golden Knights sit nine points behind both the Sharks and Flames, and seven points ahead of the fourth place Vancouver Canucks.

The Golden Knights haven’t been able to solve the Nashville Predators so far this season. They’ve dropped both games they’ve played against them. Unlike the Golden Knights, the Predators are on a bit of a roll at the moment with a 6-3-1 record in their past 10 games.

Third period woes

The Golden Knights have actually been playing quite well overall during this little slump they’re in. They’ve looked like their normal selves for the most part. Just take a look at their loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night:

A noticeable trend in their recent losses has been collapsing in the third period. They were able to keep up with the Maple Leafs for most of the game on Thursday, but then they let the game get away from them as they surrendered three late goals in the third. Their last three games were all decided in the third period, where the Golden Knights have been outscored 8-2. If they want to start getting back in the win column, they’re going to have to figure out how to play a full 60 minutes.

Subban vs. Subban

There are few things more fun to watch in the world of sports than when two brothers get to face off against each other. With Marc-Andre Fleury struggling a bit at the moment and coming off a game where he allowed six goals, he’s getting his first night off since Feb. 1 and Malcolm Subban gets his first start since Jan. 6. Subban started for the Knights when they first faced the Predators and P.K. Subban on Oct. 30, losing 4-1.

There’s never been an NHL goal scored in which a player scored on their sibling, and I’m not saying that I want the Predators to score any goals on the Knights, but it would make for some awesome content if P.K. could manage to get one past Malcolm.

Look out for these two players

Ryan Johansen: Johansen is quietly on pace for the best season of his career, as he’s projected to finish the season with 74 points. He’s currently riding a six-game point streak, where he’s managed to put up two goals and seven assists.

Alex Tuch: Tuch was easily the Golden Knights’ best player throughout the first half of the season, but has now gone pointless in seven straight games. Playing on the second line alongside Paul Stastny and Max Pacioretty, it should only be a matter of time before the three of them start to click again and Tuch starts to get back on the scoresheet. Look for their line to get the spark re-ignited tonight against the Predators.


How to watch

Time: 7 p.m. PT

TV: AT&T SportsNet

Radio: Fox Sports 98.9 FM/1340 AM