The Nashville Predators won last night, a 6-3 decision over St. Louis… but twenty-one minutes into the game, the sold out Bridgestone Arena crowd could’ve been forgiven for leaving early. With the Predators falling into an 0-3 hole after outplaying a division rival for most of the first period… well… the situation looked pretty bleak. I mean, you know things ain’t looking good when Ryan freakin’ Reeves scores on you…
But after Brad Hunt posted a power play goal at 1:49 of the second period… the faint light of hope broke out. James Neal began the comeback with a snipe off the draw just three minutes later for his 12th of the season, just James Neal doing James Neal things. Then… a little over 2 minutes later, the Prince stepped up with a very Filip Forsberg type of goal, breaking down left wing, wristing a nasty shot from the top of the circle, through the defenders legs, going 5 hole past Jake Allen and bringing the Predators within a goal.
And there was much rejoicing… Bridgestone Arena came alive, urging, cheering, begging their team to tie this thing up. Full marks to the St. Louis Blues, they withstood withering pressure for the remainder of the period and managed to hang on to their one goal lead. But… a 17 minute break did nothing to arrest the momentum as the Predators continued their blistering attack, coming at Blues goaltender Jake Allen in waves until Ryan Johansen tied things up 3 minutes in, picking up a loose puck in the slot and banging it home.
Then, with the ref’s arm in the air to make a slashing call on Patrik Berglund, Colin Wilson patiently drove down low, waited for his opportunity and saucered a sweet feed to Mike Fisher who tapped it in to give the Predators the lead for good... with the final nail in the Blues coffin, delivered by Mike Ribeiro’s goal 89 seconds later. That ended up being the end of the night for Jake Allen. Fisher’s second goal of the game, an empty netter was just icing on the cake.
Six unanswered goals spurring the Predators first win of the year when trailing heading into the third period, their first 0-3 comeback in over four years and the cherry on top was the win being Pekka Rinne’s 250th win of his career. Is this the turning point that Pred Nation has been desperately seeking?
The game certainly left Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock scratching his head as each of the Blues four lines and three D pairs were on the ice for at least one even strength goal… that is the definition of a total team loss.
The win pulled the Predators within 6 points of both St. Louis and Thursday night’s opponent Minnesota in the division race and vaulted Nashville back into playoff position. Thursday's game has a 7pm start time and limited tickets are available.
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Random Notes
- The Filip Forsberg goal in the second period was one of the more relaxed plays the young forward has made in the last month or so… letting the game come to him will be key to him getting on a roll.
- Colin Wilson had another very good game last night. The big forward is using his size and speed well and had a couple of sweet setups in the win over St. Louis.
- The return of Ryan Ellis and Colton Sissons to the lineup was very welcome news. Now only Anthony Bitetto and Miikka Salomaki remain on IR.
- My lord… the Metro Division is dominating! 5th place Philly has 39 points, which would be good for 2nd in the Atlantic, 2nd in the Central and would be leading the Pacific… by 4 points!
- Of the top five in the Metro, four of the teams are on winning streaks, Washington is on a five game streak, Pittsburgh on a six game streak, Columbus on a seven game streak and the Philadelphia Flyers have won 9 consecutive.
- Four games in the NHL tonight, all times CST – 6pm – SJS @ OTT. 6:30pm – BOS @ PIT. 8:30pm – TBL @ CGY. 9pm – PHI @ COL.
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