Seattle Kraken: 3 players from each Western Conference play-in series teams to watch
Calle Jarnkrok, Nashville Predators. (Photo by Michael Miller, via Wikicommons)
Arizona Coyotes (11) vs. Nashville Predators (6)
Nashville has a solid lineup and iffy goaltending. Arizona has a suspect lineup and strong Goaltengs. Coyotes netminder Darcy Kuemper has been sensational this season. They could pull an upset if the real Taylor Hall, not the cardboard cutout version that’s been impersonating him, shows up.
In this series, Nashville has too many good players and should win this series. This might be the time when the Predators’ goalie torch gets passed from Pekka Rinne to Juuse Saros.
Arizona
Christian Fischer, RW – As Arizona has improved over the last two years, Fischer’s ice time and production went in the other direction.
Conor Garland – Arizona lists Garland at 5-10, 165-pounds. They must have done the measurements with him standing on the scale and an old dictionary. Size might not be a factor for the Seattle Kraken. Francis won’t be fooled! The diminutive wing can put up points.
Antti Raanta, G – If the Seattle Kraken are looking to land a veteran goalie and can’t get their number one choice Carey Price, Raanta is a good plan B. All he has to do is finally stay healthy.
Nashville
Dante Fabbro – This up and coming young defenseman will be squeezed out by one of the NHL’s best group of defensemen.
Colton Sissons, C – He’s a classic bottom-six player with an occasional offensive uptick. He’s a hard-nosed player and not afraid to do the dirty work to make his team successful.
Austin Watson, LW – See Colton Sissons.