It is games like this that make Pred Nation happy… and drive them nuts at the same time.
Last night’s 2-1 overtime win over the Winnipeg Jets was a big one, there is no understating that… but just like Saturday night’s loss to Vegas… it’s only one game and it only counts for two points. What it does is keep the Predators on their four points out of every six pace that they have been on since before the All-Star/Bye break. That is the “eyes on the prize” where focus needs to remain.
This Nashville team seems to be a different team on the road. They play looser, with a little more intensity, a little more piss and vinegar… and once again, it showed last night. The Preds bore down after an early goal from Mason Appleton, surviving a first ten minute onslaught from the Jets, who were looking to establish a win streak to wash the taste of a five game losing streak out of their mouths for good. Consider that half-washed as Nashville recovered nicely and slowly but surely got back into the game… led by the Bonino / Grimaldi / Smith line who dominated three consecutive shifts in the first period and finally got rewarded with an outstanding goal from Nick Bonino off an even better feed from Rocco Grimaldi late in the first stanza.
Inconsistent officiating could have derailed the Preds as Craig Smith was hooked on a breakaway early in the second period … no call… almost the exact same play about five minutes later as Patrik Laine broke in on Juuse Saros and got hooked by Jared Tinordi. That one gets called and Laine was awarded a penalty shot. Saros stoned Laine on the attempt, but even Preds TV analyst Chris Mason questioned the call.
With no damage done, the Predators continued to play an excellent road game… keeping the vaunted Jets power play off the board going 3-3 on the PK. The Predators had better detail to their game, limiting giveaways, blocking shots and packing in to help their goaltender by clearing rebounds effectively.
Full marks to Connor Hellebuyck who was simply outstanding and well deserving of first star of the game honors. Both goaltenders put on a show last night. Another player who put on a show but wasn’t recognized as a star of the game… Mikael Granlund. He seems to have been unleashed by his new head coach and has been playing inspired hockey over the past few games, he was rewarded for his efforts last night on the game winner, a seeing-eye puck that found it’s way past Hellebuyck for the game winner a little over a minute in to the overtime.
It was one of those performances that Pred Nation wants to see more of… and so does Coach Hynes, his post-game quote, "There wasn't a lot of free ice out there, but it was nice that we could find a way to win it, get ourselves back up after how we played on Saturday (in a 3-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights) and get off to a good start on the road trip."
A good start to the road trip indeed… and the road gets no easier as the Preds head to Alberta today for a Thursday night tilt in Calgary and then a Saturday night in Edmonton. Two teams that the Preds are chasing in a tight wild card race.
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Where They Stand – a daily look at where the Predators are in the playoff race.
As play opens on 2/5, the Nashville Predators sit in 4th place in the Central and the 9th in the Western Conference, three points behind tomorrow night’s opponent Calgary and four points behind Arizona. They have two games in hand over the Flames and three over the Coyotes. The Preds trail Colorado by seven points and Dallas by eight in the Central.
Impact games tonight – None of the teams that the Preds are chasing are in action tonight.
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Random Notes – Presented by
- Since the Winter Classic, the Predators are 6-1-1 on the road.
- Granlund’s goal was his first game-winner as a member of the Predators.
- Nick Bonino continues his impressive scoring run, last night was his 16th goal of the season… he has broke the 20 goal mark once in his career and seems well on the way to doing that again.
- Good news from the injury front, Ryan Ellis is travelling with the team and participated in yesterday’s morning skate. Ellis is not expected to play on this road trip, but it’s good to see him making positive steps.
- Nashville got a little help last night as Vegas, Dallas, Chicago and Calgary all lost.
- Tonight’s games – 6:30pm – TOR @ NYR. 7pm – BOS @ CHI.
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SlapShot Radio is back for our 12th season as Zack, Brent and I are now on Monday night’s this season. The best hour of hockey talk on the longest running hockey show in the southeast … 7pm Mondays on 102.5 the Game.
Our sponsor list continues to grow. Not only are we welcoming back
Drs. Jane Bacon and Aileen Kruger at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at (615) 872-7762 and our good friend Carter Church, Your Murfreesboro real estate expert with Weichert – The Andrews Group. And our newest sponsors…
Cool Springs Wines and Spirits! The largest spirit store in all of middle Tennessee! And La-Z-Boy Nashville! Three locations, locally owned and operated, check out La-Z-Boy in Murfreesboro, Hendersonville and Cool Springs!
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