After the light week, the Nashville Predators got back into their normal groove with three games this past week. It was an up and down week for the Preds, as they went 2-1, picking up four out of a possible six points. The Central Division standings look the same at the top as they did last week. The Blues lead the way with 31 points, followed by the Jets at 27 points, and the Preds with 24 points. We’re about a quarter of the way through the season, so things are starting to shape up in the standings. Let’s review how the Preds got where they are this past week.
The Washington Capitals visited Bridgestone Arena. These games are always exciting with an opponent we don’t normally see, and this one was no different. The Preds jumped out to a quick two goal lead in the first period with goals from Craig Smith and Nick Bonino. The Capitals would come storming back however and tie the game up with two quick goals of their own to start the second period.
This game was really shaping up to like the Pittsburgh game two weeks ago with both teams trading goals back and forth. The Preds would take the lead back on notable goals from Forsberg and Fiala. Forsberg’s was the 100th of his career, and Fiala’s was his first of the year. After some uneasiness from the fans, the Preds finally put this one away 6-3 after goals from Salomaki and Ekholm.
It was then on to Minnesota to face the Wild for the first time this season. I’m not going to lie, this game pissed me off. The Preds would again jump out to a quick lead with Johansen getting his first of the year just 49 seconds into the game. Josi would do his thing and Ekholm would get a shorthanded goal to make it 3-0. Everything seemed great for the Preds right? Nope. For some reason, Nashville decided to play defense for the entire second half of the game and the Wild took full advantage of it. Minnesota would go on to score four straight to end the game, winning 6-4. Nashville went the last 13 minutes of the game without registering a shot on goal. That’s no way to win and the Preds had no one to blame for the loss except themselves.
No time to feel sorry for themselves though, as they had to deal with the Colorado Avalanche coming to town. I was interested to see how they would come out after the collapse in Minnesota. After killing off several penalties, Craig Smith would finally break through with under a minute left in the first. From then on, it was off to the races. Sissons, Bitetto, Ekholm, and Arvidsson would all score to make it 5-0. The Avs would add two goals in garbage time, but there was no question, the Preds dominated this game. Really nice response after sitting back and letting the Wild come back two nights before. Some negative news from this one, however. In the first period, Austin Watson got called for a major penalty and game misconduct after a nasty hit from behind. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see Watson suspended a game or two for the hit. It wasn’t pretty.
PREDS THREE STARS OF THE WEEK
First Star – Mattias Ekholm – How about the offensive output from Ekholm this week? Three goals and two assists on the week. Really nice to see Ekholm getting some recognition since he normally is overshadowed by Josi and Subban on the blue line.
Second Star – Filip Forsberg – There’s a reason we call him Scoresberg. He finished the week with one goal and three assists. That one goal just happened to be the 100th of his career and he scored it against the team that drafted him. Just a reminder, the Caps traded him for Martin Erat. That will never not be funny.
Third Star – Kevin Fiala – Fiala has been getting so many chances this year, he just hasn’t been able to bury one yet. I knew it was coming, and he finally got his first of the year against the Caps. I have a feeling goals are going to start coming in bunces for Fiala. He also picked up 3 assists this week.
Really important week for the Preds heading into Thanksgiving, with two games against the two teams in front of them in the standings. Monday night, they welcome the Jets to town for a pivotal Central Divsion matchup. On Wednesday, Montreal makes their yearly visit to Nashville. And finally, Friday night, the Preds head to St. Louis for the first matchup between the two rivals since last year’s playoffs.
Herbie Brooks is the Lead Hockey Analyst for SoBros Network. He knows three things: beating Commies, winning Gold Medals, and having great hair. Follow him on Twitter: @SoBroHerbie_B
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