Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

High Five!

November 15, 2017, 8:48 AM ET [3 Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
What a wacky night at the Bridge last night as the Predators post a 6-3 win over the Washington Capitals on Hockey Fights Cancer Night. Nashville may have played the most dominant period in their history as the first period saw a withering attack on the Washington net.



Braden Holtby was under siege, at one point in the first the Capitals were being outshot 16-0. The Predators were up 2-0 before the Capitals got their first shot on goal. The Caps were eventually outshot 18-3 in the first period and you had to imagine that head coach Barry Trotz peeled a coat of paint of the visitor’s locker room in the intermission.

Whatever was said, it worked… Washington came out to play in the second period with a determined pushback that saw the Caps score two goals in 1:59 to tie the game. With the game tied, Pred Nation was wondering how the Preds would react. They didn’t have to wait long as Filip Forsberg came back to bite his old team… again... just :17 seconds later.

Forsberg just likes to remind Washington about the trade that brought him to Nashville, last night, the reminder came with an unassisted goal that righted the ship for the Predators. Oh… and by the way… to twist the knife a bit more… that goal was Forsberg’s 100th career goal. Then 2:19 later, the hard work that Kevin Fiala has put in all year finally was rewarded as the youngster scored his first goal of the season, the eventual game winner. Keep your eye on 22… goals like that tend to ignite a goal scorer like Fiala.

Washington was not done yet and they made their own response after :17 seconds. T.J. Oshie finished off a nice play burying a sweet setup from Niklas Backstrom to close the gap to 4-3. Smashville barely had time to catch its’ breath as the Predators would salt the game away with two more goals one from Miikka Salomaki and a power play blast from Mattias Ekholm to finish the scoring.

Seven goals in the second period… and Braden Holtby was done for the night. It’s gotta do something for Nashville’s confidence as a team to chase one of the best goaltenders in the game. Phillip Grubauer took over the net for the third period and things settled down from a scoring perspective, but things did get a bit chippy as the Caps were clearly frustrated. The Predators locked it down defensively and finished the game well, not allowing any kind of comeback from Washington.

Six goals from six different scorers… all four lines scoring… getting one from the blueline… all a recipe for success for the Nashville Predators, and a warning for the rest of the league.,.. good luck scheming against this team. They can roll four scoring lines, wanna play up-and-down hockey? OK... they can do that... how about a tight checking, defensive game? Yeah, they got that too. Exciting times in Smashville...

The Predators head out to Minnesota today for a single game roadie, owners of a five game winning streak and growing confidence… that confidence will be tested tomorrow night against the Wild as goaltender Devan Dubnyk is on one of his patented hot streaks… how hot? Well… Dubnyk has posted three consecutive shutouts and riding a 195:05 shutout streak.

This one should be interesting.

---------------------------------

Tonight’s SlapShot Radio will help get you ready for tomorrow night’s game as we continue our season long salute to the 20th anniversary season of the Nashville Predators and our 10th anniversary season. We will have one of the original members of the Predators broadcast team, Mike Greenlay, radio color analyst for the Minnesota Wild and we will get the inside story on the Nashville Predators Fan Page on Facebook with their founder Nate Harber.

Join Zack and I tonight at 7pm on 102.5 the Game… you can listen online at TheGameNashville.com

---------------------------------

Random Notes

- The injury bug is biting a bit more as Scott Hartnell is expected to miss 3-5 weeks and Yannick Weber will be out for 2 – 4 weeks… both players are on IR.

- The only quibble I have with last night’s performance? Giveaways… this team still needs to lock that down.

- The JoFA line got a LOT of ice time last night… Forsberg – 20 minutes plus… Ryan Johansen got 19+ and Arvy ended up at 18 minutes.

- Sidney Crosby finally broke his scoreless streak last night.

- KHL Watch – Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit club is back in action today taking on Neftekhimik. Tolvanen has 14 goals on the season, combined with 11 assists for 25 points in 27 games.

------------------------------------




-------------------------------------

SlapShot Radio has an exciting season in store for our tenth anniversary. As the longest running hockey show in the region, SSR feeds hockey fans what they crave… intelligent, fun, entertaining talk about their favorite sport and we do it from the opening of training camp all the way through UFA day… the only local hockey show that does that.

We are on every Wednesday night at 7pm on the Predators flagship station, 102.5 the Game. Our co-hosts, Dan Keczmer and JP Dumont bring a true insiders perspective to the show. Next show is tonight at 7pm.

We have been delivering great hockey talk to the most energetic and engaged fans in radio and advertising with us drives results at a reasonable price. Just ask our sponsors… including day one sponsor Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762, Mark Lonsway at ReMax Fine Homes, call him for all your real estate needs at (615) 207-7799, and TurfMasters… check out their great service at TurfMasters.com.

We are also welcoming a new sponsor to the SlapShot Radio family… The Crag… Nashville’s premiere location for indoor rock climbing. Newton Dominey and his awesome crew have a great location in Cool Springs and they have opened a new location in South Nashville at the corner of Old Hickory Blvd and Nolensville Rd. Check out their website at ILoveRockCLimbing.com If you’ve never done it before… you need to try, they specialize on helping first timers.

Advertisers… reach out to me in order to access our activated listener base though great preseason advertising deals available for our tenth season when you email me at paul(@)slapshotradio(dot)com

You can also keep up with all the goings on with SlapShot Radio by following the show on Twitter @SlapShotRadio1 … Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the link.

If you are outside of the listening area, listen live online at The Game website or check out the podcast about two hours after the show at on SoundCloud.

-------------------------------------

KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Predators Buzz, a one-stop feed for all things Predators-related on HockeyBuzz. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information, click here.
Join the Discussion: » 3 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Paul McCann
» The time has come
» Whining through Game 3
» Playoff Picks
» Waiting for he playoffs
» A special night in Smashville