This one had it all. Hard, nasty hitting, gritty play, speed, skill… you name it… it was on display last night in Nashville’s huge 4-3 shootout win over the Los Angeles Kings. It sparks thoughts of what a playoff round would look like between these two teams come springtime.

The Predators got off to the kind of start they were looking for. An early goal and a swarming offense that poured 12 shots on net saw the Preds were looking for against a team that has struggled on the road so far this season. The defending Stanley Cup champion has a 1-4-4 road record after last night. Nashville is finally showing signs of life on special teams, creating chances last night and really locking down on the penalty kill as evidenced by shutting down the vaunted Kings power play.

The win lifts Nashville’s home record to 8-1-1 and overall record to 14-5-2, good for first in the Central Division and three points out of the Western Conference lead. Some of the best news that has come out of the past few games?

Secondary scoring… Last night’s scorers… Craig Smith, Ryan Ellis, Eric Nystrom. Saturday night… Colin Wilson, Matt Cullen. While the shootouts were won by the top line, Filip Forsberg on Saturday and James Neal last night, when the top line has been shut down, lines two three and four are getting the job done as of late… a sign of a good hockey team.

How good? Time will tell… but as American Thanksgiving dawns, the Predators are in a very good position.

And here are your highlights from last night…


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Random Notes

- Shea Weber notched his 223rd assist in Gold last night, putting him on top of franchise defensemen in this category, 3rd overall behind David Legwand and Martin Erat.

- The Preds flipped the script last night after giving up two goals in less than a minute on Saturday night, they scored two quick ones in 52 seconds against the Kings.

- What a tribute to Pat Quinn last night in Vancouver. Before you watch… get a box of tissues…


- Thanksgiving is here and the trade rumors are heating up. One of the loudest ones involve the Oilers Davie Perron being shipped to Columbus for center Artem Anisimov.

- Forbes is out with their fictional rankings of the value of NHL teams. They have no access to the real numbers… but they guess anyway. Number one of their guesses? Toronto, valued at $1.3 billion.

- Thanks Ottawa!

- Nine games tonight – Jets @ Sabres, Caps @ Isles, Flyers @ Wings, NYR at Bolts, Canes @ Cats, Leafs @ Pens, Kings @ Wild, Hawks @ Av’s, Flames @ Sharks.

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