Predators Prospects To Face Off In Round 2 Of WHL Playoffs

Following their respective Round 1 playoff series wins, Nashville Predators prospects Tanner Molendyk and Kalan Lindwill face off in the second round of the Western Hockey League Playoffs.

Molendyk’s Saskatoon Blades eliminated the Prince Albert Raiders 4-1 in the opening round, and Lind’s Red Deer Rebels dispensed of the Medicine Hat Tigers 4-1 to set up the prospect-versus-prospect showdown.

The series schedule is below:

Game 1: Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m., at Saskatoon

Game 2: Sunday, April 14 at 4 p.m., at Saskatoon

Game 3: Tuesday, April 17 at 7 p.m., at Red Deer

Game 4: Wednesday, April 17 at 7 p.m., at Red Deer

Game 5: Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m., at Saskatoon

Game 6: Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m., at Red Deer (if necessary)

Game 7: Tuesday, April 23 at 7 p.m., at Saskatoon (if necessary)

The two teams played one another four times during the regular season with each side taking two wins. However, Red Deer outscored Saskatoon 13-10 in those games.

The 19-year-old Molendyk had a goal and two points in his five playoff games after logging 10 goals and 56 points in 50 regular-season games. Lind, also 19, finished with 16 goals and 45 points in 46 regular-season outings, and he added two goals — both of which were game-winners — and six points in five playoff games.

Saskatoon was the best team in the WHL during the regular season, finishing with a 50-13-5 record and 105 points and the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Red Deer sewed up the No. 5 seed in the East after finishing with a 33-26-9 record and 75 points.

Both Molendyk (first round, 15th overall) and Lind (second round, 46th overall) were 2023 Predators draft picks, and both signed their entry-level contracts on the same day last July during Predators development camp.

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