In a curious decision, Paul Maurice decided to start Connor Hellebuyck against an inter-conference foe, which indicates that Michael Hutchinson could get the nod between the pipes for Winnipeg tonight.
After writing that yesterday morning, the Predators came out humming, potted three goals in less than nine minutes, chasing Hutchinson who was later announced as having an “upper body injury” … really? Not sure if I am buying that excuse but, whatever gets you through the night (as John Lennon said) it s’alright. But I still say that Paul Maurice did a poor job in managing his goaltenders and cost his team a critical game… on to the events of last evening…
The Nashville Predators delivered a statement in the first period of last night’s 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets. In one of the most dominating periods of hockey I may have ever witnessed, the Preds started the first period of last night’s game like they were shot out of a cannon… peppering Winnipeg goaltending with a total of 24 shots. Not in the game… in the first period! 12 of those shots came in the first five minutes of the first… that had the Predators on a pace to deliver 144 shots in the game!
The Jets looked tired, disheveled and stunned as they skated off the ice for the first intermission. Message delivered… and I didn’t even mention the two short-handed goals on the same PK.
Kevin Fiala got the scoring started, converting on an absolutely gorgeous play… Kyle Turris breaking down right wing, found Roman Josi coming down the slot and Josi dished it to Fiala with a sweet backhand pass that Fiala hammered home a little over two minutes in.
Then the fun really began… while killing off a Mike Fisher tripping penalty, Ryan Ellis stole the puck down low and found Austin Watson at the defensive blueline with a pass and Watson was off to the races, cutting down the right side and unleashing a wicked wrister over Hutchinson’s glove for a shortie and a 2-0 lead. That is Watson’s 4th short-handed goal of the year, one behind Florida’s Aleksander Barkov for the league lead.
You would think that would be enough, but just half a minute later… with the play in the Predators end again, Filip Forsberg chases down a loose puck and finds Viktor Arvidsson in the slot who buried his 26th of the season and sent Hutchinson to the bench.
But give the Jets credit, they managed to put on a little push as the Predators do something that makes the coaching staff and Pred Nation nuts… let off the gas. The second period was a little back and forth, as the Predators went into a bit of a prevent defense and the Jets tried to crack Pekka Rinne. It took them until early in the third period to finally put one in to slice the lead to two.
But, by that point, the Jets frustration was just too high and they seemed more interested in after the play shenanigans than getting back in the game, and frankly… the refs lost control of the game by not recognizing how frustrated the Jets were.
Here are the highlights
So, as the sun rises in Smashville… the Nashville Predators find themselves on top… on top of the Central Division, on top of the Western Conference and on top of the entire NHL. There is still one more game against the Jets… a week from Sunday in Winnipeg on the back end of a road back-to-back. It will be a chance for the Jets to exact some revenge… and a chance for the Predators to strengthen their position and the message sent last night.
The Predators hit the road today and will face the Arizona Coyotes tomorrow night in Glendale.
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“Where We Stand” update… a daily tracking of where the Preds are in the standings and the games that impact them most, brought to you by Mark Lonsway - THE real estate professional for hockey fans!
After last night’s play the Predators remain first in the Central Division with 100 points, leading Winnipeg (1 GIH) by 8 points … The Predators lead the Western Conference, holding a 5 point lead over Vegas (0 GIH.) The Predators also now lead Tampa Bay (1 GIH) in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy by virtue of the tie-breaker.
Impact games tonight (all times Central) – 6pm – DAL @ TOR. 9pm – NJD @ VGK.
Playoff Odds Courtesy SportsClubStats.com - The Predators playoff chances are at 99.999998%, even though it is not official, for all intents and purposes, the Predators are in the playoffs.
The Current Opponent - If the playoffs began today, the Predators would draw the number 8 seed in the second wild card position… currently the Dallas Stars.
Playoff odds and playoff point line courtesy of SportsClubStats.com
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Random Notes
- In a season of franchise records, another one fell last night. The Predators required the fewest games to reach 100 points in a season. The prior record was held by the 06/07 team, who took 73 games to reach the century mark.
- Paul Stastny was a late scratch, apparently injured in warmups.
- “We’re capable of playing better” This postgame quote from Peter Laviolette should scare folks…
- Patrik Laine had his goal scoring streak snapped last night. The dangerous forward was held goal-less for the first time in March.
- Eeli Watch – Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit team has won their series and will play CSKA in the next round of the KHL playoffs. The best-of-seven begins on Friday.
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