(Photo : Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – Ryan McDonagh (#27) of the Nashville Predators skates towards the New Jersey Devils on the Prudential Center.
Ryan McDonagh shall be making an odd return to Tampa Bay on Tuesday, October 10, his first time since July 2022. It shall be an odd homecoming for the 34-year-old blueliner since he shall be headed there as a Nashville Predator.
Like most NHL gamers, McDonagh already tried to get used to the brand new situations when he takes the ice at Amalie Arena. This occurred final September 30 when McDonagh skated in that recreation to get an emotional really feel, a part of his preparations for the season opener, NHL.com reported.
“That’s why I wanted to go there for a preseason game, just to get some of the emotions out. Get into the visiting room there so it’s not too foreign to me when I walk in there [Tuesday]. I think it was good that we played them a couple of times during the preseason,” McDonagh mentioned.
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After successful back-to-back Stanley Cups (2020 and 2021) with the Lightning, it’s comprehensible that McDonagh is having problem getting over his stint there.
“At least I got the emotions of the first time being back in the building and the tribute video and stuff out of the way so I can just focus on playing. Obviously, Tampa still holds a special place in my heart with all of the success and memories that we had. But at the end of the day, it’s a great place to start for Game 1,” he added.
Odds are stacked on the Predators
The puck drop between the Lighting and the Predators is at 5:30 p.m. E.T.
The Predators are anticipated to enhance their offense underneath new coach Andrew Brunette, a shift from their typical defensive-first strategy, USA Today reported. Adding Ryan O’Reilly and Luke Schenn ought to assist in that facet.
The Lightning are -160 betting favorites to prevail over the Predators, who’re at +135, per BetMGM Sportsbook.
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