OK… back-to-back wins, on the road no less… for the first time in the 2015-16 season, first back-to-back wins since before Christmas. Three wins in four games, points in four of their last five games. Taking the first solid steps towards a turnaround that has been a couple of months in coming. That was the result of last night’s 4-1 win in Edmonton.
It certainly wasn’t the kind of game Oilers head coach Todd McLellan wanted heading into a long break as last night’s loss was Edmonton’s final game before the All-Star break. His post game quotes called out “passengers… who “let the rest of the group down.…
That being said, it was another solid and definitely more confident performance from the Predators netminder, Pekka Rinne. The offense came from hard work, greasy goals coming from increased presence in front of the net. Defensively was a little weaker, as Edmonton was unable to take advantage of some bad turnovers that continue to plague this team. Puck management is improving, but it still needs work as the kind of turnovers and sloppy passes sometime evident last night will be easy conversions for a more skilled, confident team (i.e. Chicago.)
Take the points and move on… this was the type of game the Predators may have dropped back in December so accept the positive result. The team moves on to Vancouver for a Tuesday night matchup with the Canucks then finish the back-to-back on Wednesday in Calgary before heading back home for All-Star Weekend in Smashville.
Highlights from nhl.com
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Random Notes
- “Where They Stand… - Entering tonight’s play, the Nashville Predators stand 6th in the Central Division 2 points behind Minnesota. The Predators trail Colorado by 3 points (2 games in hand,) STL by 12 points (3 GIH) Dallas by 13 points (1 GIH) and Chicago by 16 points (3 GIH.) The Predators are also currently two points out of the second wild card slot.
- Mattias Ekholm’s two goals last night got him First Star of the Game, it was his first multi-goal game of his NHL career.
- Filip Forsberg’s empty net goal was his 14th of the season. It was the 100th point of his young NHL career.
- The Florida Panthers have had a good weekend, knocking off both participants in last year’s cup final in back-to-back games. These Cats may be for real…
- Five games on the NHL schedule today (all start times CT) – PIT @ WSH PPD due to snow. 2pm – NYR @ OTT. 5pm – CGY @ CAR. 6pm – STL @ CHI. 9pm – LAK @ SJS.
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