The Preds of late have been a mystery of consistency, although the results have not followed. A few break downs here and there result in a puck in the back of the net and the team is having to shift their game in order to play catch up for the next two periods. This all dates back to the Vegas game, where a few bad mistakes resulted in similarly situated goals for the Knights.
Including that game, the team has gone 3-3 with the most recent win coming in OT against the Canadiens. A well-deserved win after the poor performance that the team displayed at the Bell Centre not too long ago. As I wrote previously, the Devils win was a decisive victory with the Avs game being a somewhat expected result due to travel and playing on the road in a back-to-back. The resilience of this team is what is speaking volumes. This was demonstrated in the big win against the Blue Jackets at home, although we know that #9 and #64 had a little to do with that, and then again in beating the Canadiens after the tough loss to the visiting Bruins.
The Bruins game welcomed a goaltender in Swayman who saw everything that night. He’s definitely making the Bruins decision to go with him look better and better. The Preds were not low in the shot category that night, nor were the chances limited from the eye test. Were a few chances missed? Sure. But the effort was there and the pucks to the net was abundantly present too. But the team did look a bit slow in transition and that ultimately turned out to be ultimate deciding factor.
Tonight, the Preds begin their four-game roadtrip in Detroit. Although Detroit is a young team, they are definitely not a group to take lightly. The likes of Larkin, Bertuzzi, Raymond, and a flurry of others have bona fide skill and speed. Although the Preds have won 7 of the last 10 in this series with a few one-sided affairs, it’s always a game that can welcome the unexpected.
Following Detroit, they will travel to New Jersey, their first ever trip to the new UBS Arena to visit the Isles, and then MSG before heading back home. This is a trip where the Preds could reasonably take 7 or 8 points, but it will be no easy task. Let’s hope for a strong performance tonight to start moving in the right direction and maintain the momentum following a big Saturday night win in Nashville.
Side Notes
The Preds announced their Stadium Series jerseys last week. They received mixed reactions to put it mildly. Granted, I was not a fan whatsoever at first glance, but they are beginning to grow on me, although I could have done without the SMASHVILLE on the front. Smashville is a catch phrase, but not necessarily jersey warranting in my personal opinion. But it’s what Adidas and the NHL decided. I’ll still likely get one as I did not purchase a Winter Classic sweater either. They still aren’t my favorite, so Stadium Series will likely be my next purchase because I feel obligated to at least have one of them for the experience and memories. Either way, February 26 cannot come soon enough!
Forsberg is definitely making a strong case as to his current value whether it’s on the trade market, re-signing, or soon to test free agency this summer. Let’s hope he can pick it up as I would much rather have a hard decision to make as opposed to him making it easy. He’s always been a streaky player so the true test will be how long he can keep this up on a consistent pace. The more he helps us win now, the better. We can deal with the big issues after Christmas. The conventional approach appears to be edging closer and closer to trading him. I likely lean closer to this idea as well. But I am always fearful of what the greater public is saying. Then again, there’s no reason to overthink it either. Decisions are all situational, so let’s wait and see how the season progresses and what situation is presented in late January and February around the Olympic break.
Preds recall Matt Luff and Ben Harpur. Luff has been playing in Milwaukee all year and having an excellent season offensively with 7 goals and 16 points. With this production, it’s only natural to give him a shot with the big team. Maybe he can catch fire with someone and start to bring the much-needed tertiary scoring that this team needs. The same goes at the NHL level with Tolvanen finally tallying his second goal of the season a few nights ago.
Harpur was sent down on a conditioning assignment for 6 games with the Admirals. Other than Hynes loving size, I’m not entirely sure why he is being recalled. From a hockey standpoint, I do not find his presence to bring much value to the teams. As for me, I would much rather see Myers present in the lineup more over Harpur.