Hockey Tonkin’ – Preds Face Old Playoff Foes

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It was another week full of tough opponents for the Preds, with games against the Blackhawks, Canucks, and Ducks. With the way the season has been shaping up, it’s very possible that the Predators could see any of these teams in the playoffs. Nashville went a respectable 2-1 this week picking up four out of a possible six points, bringing their total to 35 points. A little bit of shuffling at the top of the Central, with the Jets overtaking the Blues for the top spot. The Preds are currently in third place, three points behind the Jets and one point behind the Blues. They do have a game in hand against both teams.

Nashville started off the week with a rematch of last year’s first round opponent, the Chicago Blackhawks. It was the Hawks’ first visit back to Bridgestone since being swept last Spring. These divisional match-ups are always huge, but this one had a little extra jump to it. This was a game the Preds needed to win to prove last year was no fluke, and they did exactly that. Goals by Forsberg, Watson, and Josi provided all the offense Pekka needed to shut the door on the Hawks. Great team win in an important game. Preds are now 2-0-1 against the Hawks this year.

After the big win against the Hawks, it was on to the Canucks Thursday night. This had all the makings of another trap game with it being sandwiched between games against the Blackhawks and Ducks. It was back and forth the entire night. Nashville would score and Vancouver would tie it up. Smith, Forsberg, and Bonino would all score for the Preds. Unfortunately, more was needed. In the third period, the team decided to stop playing defense and allowed three goals from Vancouver. The Preds would drop this game 5-3. One positive from this game: the Predators set a franchise record for consecutive home games with a PP goal at 12. That is an impressive streak.

Time to regroup after the loss with a Saturday night showdown with the Ducks. These two teams are definitely starting to hate each other after several playoff match-ups. The animosity boiled over a few times as the Ducks went to their usual dirty ways. I’ve decided that the Ducks are the hockey equivalent of the Boo’s from Super Mario Bros. They’ll only attack you when you have your back turned to them. That’s just who the Ducks are at this point and the Preds did a good job on not retaliating to put themselves in the box.

Kevin Fiala opened the scoring, extending the franchise record of consecutive home games with a PP goal to 13. Anaheim would then score two straight to make it 2-1 with 15 minutes left in the game. After another Ducks cheap shot, Jarnkrok would tie the game up on the PP with just under nine minutes left. That’s all the scoring in this one, as the Preds defeated the Ducks in the shootout for a final of 3-2.

PREDS THREE STARS OF THE WEEK

First Star – Filip Forsberg – I keep putting him up here, but he just keeps on producing. Forsberg finished with two goals and an assist this week for a season total of 13 G – 14 A- 27 P. He’s been driving the Preds all season long.

Second Star – Austin Watson – Watson picked up a goal this week which was nice, but that’s not what he’s out there for. The man was born to kill penalties, and he stepped up big time. In the final minutes of the Blackhawks game, Watson had three HUGE blocked shots to help secure the win. He’s not flashy, but dammit Watson knows his role and excels at it.

Third Star – Roman Josi – Josi has become a rock on the blueline. Trading Weber two seasons ago has really allowed Josi to grow into a superstar. He had the game winner against the Blackhawks and picked up an assist this week. The Predators’ Captain had himself a helluva week.

The Predators will get right back at it Monday night when the Boston Bruins head to town. It’s then immediately onto Dallas for another divisional game against the Stars. The Stars have started creeping back up in the standings and now sit only two points behind the Predators. After a few days off, our old friend James Neal and the surprising Vegas Golden Knights come in for a big game Friday night. Unfortunately, Neal does not have his perfect teeth anymore and looks more like Cody McLeod these days. Still, should be a great week of games.

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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