It was a busy Thanksgiving week for the Preds as they had four games. The Predators continued their hot streak going 3-0-1, picking up seven of the eight total points this week. Being a quarter of the way through the season already makes these points all the more valuable, as teams are really starting to figure out who they are now. Currently, the Preds sit tied for second with the Winnipeg Jets in the central, both with 31 points and identical records. St. Louis still sits atop with 35 points. All in all, a great week for Nashville, so let’s check out how they got there.
The Predators started off the week with a big divisional match-up with the Jets. With both teams being so close in the standings, this was a big 4-point game. The Preds were up to the task in this one. Both teams scored once in the first period, with Fiala scoring off a highlight reel goal and Mathieu Perreault for the Jets. From then on it was all Preds, as they scored the next four goals from Johansen, Turris, Ekholm, and Bonino. The Jets would add two late, but this game was over. Preds pick up the 5-3 win and an important two points. More importantly, they kept the Jets from gaining two points.
On Thanksgiving Eve, PK Subban’s old friends from Montreal were in town. This was PK’s first time facing the Canadiens in Nashville, since he was hurt last season when the two teams met. This game took a little while to get going. Jordie Benn would give the Habs an early lead, but Filip Forsberg would tie it up with two seconds left in the first. Then nothing interesting at all happened in the second. Really, it felt like both teams got into the turkey early and were ready for their nap.
But, the third period would make up for it in a big way. Forsberg would add another to give the Preds a 2-1 lead. With 12 minutes left in the third, Pekka Rinne was getting tired of everyone up in his grill and put Brendan Gallagher on his ass. It was full on line brawl then. Everyone found a dance partner and wrestled each other to the ice. It’s rare to see Pekka that pissed off, but when it happens, it’s awesome.
After the dust settled, there was still hockey left to play. The Habs would pull their goalie and tie things up with under a minute to go. A scoreless OT would then send this to a shootout where Kyle Turris would score the only goal to give the Preds the 3-2 victory and two more points.
After two games at home, it was time for Nashville to make it’s first trip to St. Louis since last year’s playoff match-up with the Central Division leading Blues. This game was like a heavyweight fight. Both teams seemed to have picked up a little disdain for each other and it showed. Everyone on the ice seemed to have a little extra edge tonight and it made for a great hockey game. Johansen would open the scoring early in the first with assists from Forsberg and Subban. From then on, it was all defense. Both teams clamped down and clogged everything up. Players were fighting for every inch of ice.
Both goalies were making incredible save after incredible save. It was a playoff-type game. The only other scoring would come when Austin Watson picked up a loose puck and buried it into the empty net. Preds win this one 2-0 with Pekka getting the shutout. That shutout would make Rinne the all time leader in shutouts by a Finnish born goalie with 45. Unbelievable accomplishment from Pekka.
It was then on to Carolina for a match-up with the Hurricanes. This had trap game written all over it. Eastern Conference opponent, noon face-off, sandwiched between two big division games for the Preds, and Juuse Saros getting the start for Nashville. The Preds started off a little sluggish giving up an early goal. They would find their legs eventually when Viktor Arvidsson would undress the Carolina d-man and score a beautiful goal. It was back and forth the entire game with each team adding two more goals. Ekholm and Smith would score for the Preds and Rask and Williams would score for the Hurricanes. A scoreless OT would mean yet another shootout. The Preds would drop this one but pick up the point. Hard to blame them for the loss after picking up seven of eight points this week.
PREDS THREE STARS OF THE WEEK
First Star – Pekka Rinne – Pekka had another great week going 3-0 and picking up a shutout. With the shutout, Rinne passed Miikka Kiprusoff for most shutouts ever by a Finnish goalie. Preds fans have been lucky to have #35 manning the pipes over the years.
Second Star – Ryan Johansen – Johansen has been heating up lately and it continued this week. Joey had two goals and three assists this week. Preds need him to keep producing like this.
Third Star – PK Subban – Subban picked up three assists this week, but he played great all around. When he’s on his game, he’s a force on both ends of the ice and he was exactly that this week.
Another very important week for the Predators coming up. Three home games starting off with Chicago on Tuesday night. This will be the Blackhawks’ first trip to Bridgestone after being swept here last year. Both teams will be fired up. It’s then the surprising Vancouver Canucks on Thursday night. The Preds will finish the week off with another playoff opponent from last year when the Anaheim Ducks visit. The Preds can really start to separate themselves from the pack with another strong week.
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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