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I don’t think there is another team as ready to get rid of October more than the Nashville Predators. Look, we knew that the team was going to get dunked in it right away with the schedule, the first eight games, all against playoff teams from last season, six of the eight inside the conference, five on the road and games against each of last year’s Stanley Cup finalists… oh… and don’t forget the three sets of back-to-backs in the first 13 days of the season. Looking at it that way, well… 2-5-1 still doesn’t look that great for a team that is widely considered to be a Cup contender.
So, with two games left in this west coast roadie… let’s look at what is going well and what needs to happen to get this team back on the right track. Let’s start with what is going well…
Secondary Scoring – Viktor Arvidsson is the team’s leading scorer both in goals and points and Colin Wilson looks a lot more like “Playoff Colin.… Mike Fisher showing great leadership and second in goals on the team with three.
PK Subban Scoring – He has been a threat every time he has touched the puck and has posted 2 goals and 3 assists.
Oh yeah… the power play. Most definitely the highlight of October. Leading the league converting at 35.7% and at one point converting at almost 50%.
So, what’s not so good?
Primary scoring – Zero goals from Filip Forsberg and Ryan Johansen, only one from James Neal. Kevin Fiala has two goals, both in the Pittsburgh game, the top two lines need to get busy.
Shot limiting – The team is second to last in the NHL on shots allowed per game. Pekka Rinne likes a lot of work, but doesn’t need this much.
Overall defensive chemistry – Getting used to new partners and adjusted roles can be difficult, add to it that Roman Josi was absent from most of training camp due to the World Cup. PK Subban is a -7 and has had a couple of really bad turnovers. Roman Josi is a -6. Chemistry takes time…
Five on Five – This team is generating scoring chances, but can’t seem to finish… there’s an element of luck in this that I believe will balance out.
Jury’s out on…
Goaltending - Pekka Rinne has been solid in net, sometimes spectacular. Let’s put it this way… goal tending is not the reason this team is 2-5-1.
PK Subban – Why is the jury still out? He has been dynamic and fun to watch… he’s also been a tad careless with the puck… that needs to get locked down.
It is nowhere close to panic time… I try and keep in mind that championships are not won in October, however… as I have noted many times in this space… playoffs are normally determined by the start you have. I really hate to remind folks that teams in playoff position around US Thanksgiving have the best chances to make the playoffs. Given that the team is three points out of a playoff spot and Turkey Day is 11 games and 24 days away… the time is now to get it moving…
Tuesday night in Colorado is a big game… a divisional opponent, playing the team that is three points up on Nashville. Gap closure needs to start at a mile high. Game time is 8:30pm CT.
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Random Notes
- Happy Halloween!
- Pred Nation is moving close to freak mode, blaming the trade, blaming Rinne, blaming the election… pump the brakes folks, things will work out how they are supposed to.
- November is coming and the schedule eases a bit, no back-to-backs… seven on the road and seven at home including a four game and a three game home stand, with Thanksgiving at home sandwiched between the Stars and Jets.
- The NHL is dark tonight
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