It’s rare you can see so much good in an ugly game, but last night’s 3-1 win over San Jose did show quite a bit of good from this Nashville Predators team. The drum beat has been getting louder over the past few weeks, questioning the construction of the team, the game planning, the execution, the goaltending, special teams and the performances of this team’s stars, all being rightly criticized after a November to forget and a rather shaky, if consistent recovery.
Since their six game losing streak that had Pred Nation on the brink of revolt, the team has quietly gone 5-1-2… picking up 12 of a possible 16 points. Has it been pretty? Nope… but it has been done, and done without Viktor Arvidsson in the lineup for the majority of those games.
Last night saw more positives, excellent goaltending from Juuse Saros, both on the eye test and the stats test. A power play goal, hadn’t seen one of those in awhile. Lunch bucket goals from Nick Bonino and Ryan Johansen… a feistier attitude that showed they weren’t going to be pushed around by a frustrated Sharks team.
All-in-all, a fine way to finish a homestand that saw the team pick up five of a possible six points.
Now, Nashville heads off to Western New York for an inter-conference matchup with the Buffalo Sabres. A Sabres team that just laid a smackdown on the defending Stanley Cup champs last night. A Sabres team that are beginning to get coaches fired. It should be a really stiff challenge for Nashville.
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Random Notes – Presented by
- Bridgestone Arena was crazy last night… nice to see Smashville bringing the noise!
- Nick Bonino took over the team goal scoring lead last night, posted his 12th… Filip Forsberg and Calla Jarnkrok both have 11.
- The 2020 Winter Classic is shaping up to be the second most attended outdoor game in the event history… Dallas and Nashville driving 83000+ tickets…
- Juuse Saros was really sharp last night. The game turned on his second period performance and his stopping of a penalty shot. Outstanding performance from Saros.
- Kudos to the Athletic’s Adam VIngan for using the phrase, the Predators “jumped the Sharks” in the standings.
- Tomorrow night is “Aud Night” in Buffalo… they are giving out colored t-shirts t match the old colored seats in the legendary Buffalo barn… Old time Flyer fans are wondering if they will be bringing fog in.
- Tonight’s games – 6pm – BOS @ WSH (NBCSN). 6:30pm – OTT @ MTL. 8:30pm – PHI @ COL (NBCSN).
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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 next show will be Monday December 30th.
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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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