Nashville Predators host Edmonton Oilers Friday night in “Smashville”

March 7, 2013 |

Edmonton Oilers vs. Nashville Predators

Friday, March 8th, 2013 | 7:00pm (CT)
Nashville, TN | Bridgestone Arena

Nashville, TN – The Nashville Predators return to the friendly confines of the Bridgestone Arena Friday night when the Edmonton Oilers arrive for a 7:00pm CT face-off.

The Predators are looking to get back to their winning ways after a disappointing West Coast swing.

NHL – Nashville Predators, Roman Josi. (Photo by Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports)

Shea Weber led all Predators in scoring against Edmonton a season ago with three points (1g-2a) in four games. Weber’s .74 points per game against Edmonton for his career (8g-9a-17pts, 23gp) is second only to Columbus (.83). David Legwand was the only Predators player to score multiple goals against the Oilers a season ago (2). He has seen more offensive success against Edmonton than any other non-divisional opponent (13g-20a-33pts, 44gp).

Nashville Predators Patric Hornqvist

Patric Hornqvist has posted 10 points (6g-4a) in 13 career games vs. the Oilers. Sergei Kostitsyn has five points (2g-3a) in nine career games vs. the Oilers, and Martin Erat notched his first career hat trick, a natural hat trick, at Rexall Place on March 4th, 2008, the second road hat trick in franchise history. The Oilers are one of four teams Chris Mason has a sub-2.00 goals-against average against. For his career, he is 5-1-2 with a 1.84 goals-against average and a .932 save percentage.

For the second time this season – and the second time in his career – sophomore forward Gabriel Bourque has goals in back-to-back games to take sole possession of the team’s goal-scoring lead (6). The Rimouski, Que., native recorded his first career shorthanded goal – also Nashville’s first man-down goal of the season – on Saturday at San Jose, and is the only Predator with multiple game-winning goals in 2012-13 (2).

Bourque is averaging 15:20 in ice time, up nearly three minutes from his rookie average (12:47). During the Predators 2012 Western Conference Quarterfinal win over the Detroit Redwings, he set franchise records for points (3g-1a-4pts) and plus-minus rating (+5) by a rookie in a playoff series which included two goals, including the game winner, in his NHL playoff debut – Game One of the WCQ vs. Detroit – becoming the third player in the last 14 playoff years to attain the feat.

Butler has posted a goal and an assist in 14 games with the Devils in 2012-13 after starting the season with their AHL affiliate in Albany, amassing 27 points (16g-11a) in 37 games and being named to the AHL All-Star Classic for the second time, where he was game MVP. The Marlborough, MA, native has appeared in 108 NHL contests with Ottawa and New Jersey since signing with the Senators on March 29th, 2010, collecting 39 points (17g-22a).

Butler was also an AHL Calder Cup champion with the Binghamton Senators in 2010-11. The 6-0, 180-pound right wing spent four seasons at the University of New Hampshire from 2006-10, putting up 121 points (61g-60a) in 153 games. He was a First-Team All American and Hobey Baker “Hat Trick” Finalist as a senior after finishing second in the NCAA with 53 points (29g-24a).

Zach Boychuk

Boychuk has been held scoreless in eight NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes in 2012-13. In 80 career NHL contests since 2008-09, the Airdrie, Alta., native has 18 points (7g-11a) in 80 career contests with Pittsburgh and Carolina.

Boychuk started the 2012-13 season with Carolina’s primary developmental affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers, amassing 32 points

(16g-16a) in 37 games. Drafted by the Hurricanes in the first round (14th overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Boychuk was a member of back-to-back Canadian World Junior Championship-winning teams in 2008 and 2009. He was teammates with current Predator forward Matt Halischuk on the 2008 team, and Predators defenseman Ryan Ellis on the 2009 team.

The Predators are 8-1-4 when scoring more than one goal. Nashville has allowed two goals or fewer in 13 of its 23 games this season. The Predators rank fifth in the league in team goals-against average (2.39).

The Predators have gone to overtime or a shootout in 10 of their first 23 games in 2012-13, tied for the most in the NHL. Nashville is 5-5 in those 10 games, with four being settled in overtime (3-1 record) and six going to a shootout (2-4).

Nashville Predators Tickets

Individual game tickets for the Nashville Predators 2012-13 regular season are on sale now at the Bridgestone Arena box office, through all Ticketmaster outlets, www.Ticketmaster.com, www.nashvillepredators.com and 615.770.7800. Due to the shortened season, ticket inventory will be limited.

Returning this season are the popular Tennessee Lottery $10.00 Gameday Seats where 100 upper-level tickets will be made available for just $10.00 each on the day of the game. These tickets may only be purchased at the Bridgestone Arena box office beginning at 10:00am on the day of each specific game. Limit four per customer.

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