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That actually happened...

February 14, 2018, 8:56 AM ET [7 Comments]
Paul McCann
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • RSSArchiveCONTACT
As the third period began in last night’s bizarre 4-3 overtime win over St. Louis, I remember thinking… the slow starts, the loose defensive play, the laisse-fare attitude of the last ten days or so is finally biting this team in the butt. The way Nashville played the second period was awful, almost painful to watch.

… and then the Predators threw the switch.

After what Peter Laviolette termed a “conversation” in the second intermission, the Nashville Predators found a way to win a hockey game they had no business winning. But then again… that is becoming something that happens with a good deal of regularity. It is said that good teams can win games that they don’t “deserve” … well…

My lord this is a good team when it wants to be.

It was a strange game from the jump, the first period was solid for Nashville… honestly, the best start I have seen this team have since before the All-Star break. The out played, out shot and out hustled the Blues, but they didn’t get rewarded on the scoreboard. Going into the room down 0-1 was no big deal for the Preds… but wow… did they look awful in the second period. St. Louis got goals from Alexander Steen and Jaden Schwartz and it looked like this one was gone… but I will say it again…

My lord this is a good team when it wants to be.

The Predators certainly found another gear in the third and the Blues simply couldn’t match it. They were surviving nicely through the onslaught of the first half of the third period, Carter Hutton was solid between the pipes and the Blues seemed to be holding on well… until the wheels began to fall off for them at the 9:06 mark of the period.

Calle Jarnkrok placed himself in the right spot in the slot and wired a rebound from a Mattias Ekholm blast into the net for the Predators first goal of the game that sent a jolt of energy through a sold out Bridgestone Arena. Pred Nation was dying for something to cheer for, and Jarnkrok gave it to them… and then the momentum built… even a high sticking penalty couldn’t arrest it as Austin Watson finished off a sweet rush for a shorthanded goal to bring Nashville to within one… and Pred Nation just roared louder.

You could see it in the Blues eyes… almost to a man they were looking around and wondering how they were going to get through the next five and a half minutes.

They didn’t… Watson struck again on a weird play that required a bit of a review from the officials. Craig Smith finished serving a hi-sticking penalty and came out of the box like he was shot from a cannon, driving the net and putting the puck in play when Watson batted it mid-air into the net for a split-second. Initially, the ref waived it off, but after seeing the play on the scoreboard and a quick consult with his teammates, the goal was called.

Tie game.

Give the Blues and Carter Hutton credit for saving a point for the team, but at that point, it was game over… you just didn’t know who the hero would be.

Forsberg gets a breakaway early in overtime and was fouled on the play… awarded a penalty shot, beats Hutton glove side… bang… Preds win… and all I can say is…

My lord this is a good team when it wants to be.

Enjoy the highlights


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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 stand first in the Central Division with 77 points, two points ahead of Winnipeg (2 GIH) and five points ahead of St. Louis (4 GIH) … the Preds lead Dallas (2 GIH) by seven points and Minnesota (1 GIH) by nine points. The Predators trail Vegas (1 GIH) by one point for the Western Conference lead and trail Tampa Bay (2 GIH) by two points for the President’s Cup.

Impact games tonight (all times Central) – 8:30pm – MTL @ COL.

Playoff Odds Courtesy SportsClubStats.com - The Predators playoff chances are at 99.9%

The Playoff Point Line - I look at the point level needed for at least a 75%+ chance to make the playoffs… right now, 97 points gets you at 76.4% chance of making the playoffs, 98 gets you and 88.6% chance.

Playoff odds and playoff point line courtesy of SportsClubStats.com

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Random Notes

- David Poile held a press conference pre-game yesterday to talk trade deadline. He stated that the prices were “very high” so far … the most significant quote to me? “I think we are closer to doing nothing than something.”

- Poile also said that he expected Mike Fisher in the lineup “closer to March 1” which makes perfect sense, sign him by trade deadline then activate after the roster limits come off.

- Filip Forsberg’s penalty shot goal in overtime last night is the second successful overtime penalty shot in Predators history. David Legwand had the first, at MSG against the Rangers.

- Pekka Rinne was outstanding in the third period.

- I love the Olympics… and early morning hockey is the best!!!

- I think the wheels are officially off in Chicago… they dropped their seventh straight last night… their chances to make the playoffs??? 0.5% In order to make the playoffs, they would need to go 19-3-3 to finish the season…

- Eeli Watch – Eeli Tolvanen’s Jokerit team has two games remaining in their regular season. They are now on their Olympic break. Tolvanen now has 17 goals and 17 assists in 47 KHL games. Tolvanen will play for the Finnish Olympic Team. The league returns in late February for a few games before their regular season ends on March 1st.

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