The Coyotes have built an intriguing defensive-minded team that should be competitive. Young forwards like Lee Stempniak, Kyle Turris, Wojtek Wolski and Martin Hanzal need to be very focused, offensively, for Phoenix this season.

Phoenix Coyotes vs Nashville Predators

The Coyotes have built an intriguing defensive-minded team that should be competitive. Young forwards like Lee Stempniak, Kyle Turris, Wojtek Wolski and Martin Hanzal need to be very focused, offensively, for Phoenix this season. With the additions of defensemens Aucoin and Ekman-Larsson, their blue line situation is looking a bit brighter and Ilya Bryzgalov is going to be the No. 1 goaltender. But the Western Conference is too tough.  I'm not optimistic that they will make the playoffs this season. The injuries of  Kurt Sauer and Derek Morris will be probably a huge blow to their defense tonight.

While most observers focus on Nashville's need for a goal-scoring winger, perhaps the bigger concern is the depth on defense. Superior goaltending and the team-based work ethic that coach Trotz is famous for should return the Predators to the playoffs, however. But their top five forwards have to stay healthy during the season. This year it is time for David Legwand and Martin Erat to step of their performance. The Predators focus in building the team has always been a 'Band of Brothers' mentality where the team working together with a common vision is far greater than the total of the individual parts. This season‘s team will be no different.
It will be hard to break down the Coyotes at home but there are really valuable odds on visitors…away win for Nashville.Odds at 2.70 at Bwin.