Back to backs are never easy and can take a toll on the entire line-up. That said, another slow start from the Nashville Predators cost the team two points.
I don’t know how many times I can say it before my head explodes but the Nashville Predators came out flat-footed. This time though, they dug a hole so deep they couldn’t figure a way out. I’ll give a little credit to the Predators though. They just came back from a defensive war in Chicago and were clearly banged up. But nevertheless, the offense stalled against a goaltender who almost played himself out of the NHL last year. As well as a defense who’s as shallow as a kiddy pool. Even in bad games, there were some silver linings. So, without further ado, let’s get into the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The good
The Nashville Predators dominated five on five possession after the first period. They posted a 57.69% and 68.75% Corsi in the second and third period, respectively. Not only that but their Fenwick was dominant at 55% and 64.29%.
P.K. Subban had another dominant game at five on five. The man is the heart and soul of this defense and he continually plays tough minutes. Subban was misused against the Islanders as he played against the second line. But that’s for the bad section. Subban posted a 66.67% Corsi and Fenwick and created two high danger chances while not giving any up.
The fourth line dominated a weak Islander’s bottom six. Austin Watson, Colton Sissons, and Miikka Salomaki held a combined Corsi of 63.77% and a Fenwick of 61.27%. This could easily be a third line on any other team in the NHL, and if utilized like tonight, they’ll continue to dominate. Hopefully, they can start scoring.
The bad
Penalties can kill a team and taking five in a single night is asking for disaster. The Nashville Predators surrendered three goals on those three opportunities. The Predators aren’t a good enough team to take that amount of penalties and think they’ll come off unscathed. Once again, I’m willing to give the benefit of the doubt and say that exhaustion from the back to back is what caused the sloppy play.
The third pairing on defense is still a disaster as far as I’m concerned. Anthony Bitetto and Yannick Weber were paired last night. They held a combined Corsi of 43.81% and a Fenwick of 40.30%. I have a few issues with trotting out Weber and Bitetto. Why would you sit Samuel Girard after he played a great game in Chicago? Why play him against Chicago over the Islanders in the first place? Shelter the kid, or just let him play in general. It can’t get worse than the current possession dumpster that is Weber and Bitetto.
The ugly
The Nashville Predators left Juuse Saros out to dry. With everything I’m about to say, Saros didn’t play well, but he wasn’t the reason they lost. With that said, to the common eye test, it could seem like Saros was the issue, but far from it. Let’s remember that three of the six goals came on the power play and it isn’t usually fair to blame goalies for power play goals. The Predators gave up 13 scoring chances and 5 high danger chances in five on five situations. When factoring in the power play, the Predators gave up 18 chances and 7 high danger chances. Send the kid down to Milwaukee, not because he doesn’t deserve to be the back-up, but because the Predators are playing weak defense. The Predators need to think long and hard about how to stop shots from within the five feet of the net. One of these days Pekka Rinne isn’t going to be able to cover up those mistakes.
Although five on five possession was way up, scoring was still on par for normal. The Islanders outscored the Predators three to one in five on five situations. Five on five possession is a good sign for the future, but it didn’t help the Predators after they went down early.
Viktor Arvidsson and the new second line disappointed after a good first game. Viktor Arvidsson, Calle Jarnkrok, and Pontus Aberg were matched into a new second line halfway through the game in Chicago. They were outstanding together and I was excited to see them together against the Islanders, but they seemingly lost some of the chemistry they had. Arvidsson and Aberg were the two lowest Corsi and Fenwick scores on the entire team and Jarnkrok wasn’t far behind. Part of the issue was penalties as it kept that line to about five minutes together in five on five situations. The Nashville Predators absolutely need that second line to start driving possession and scoring immediately.
Looking to the future
Wednesday night rivalry continues on NBCSN with the San Jose Sharks taking on the Nashville Predators in San Jose. While it’s not a rivalry in any way, shape, or form, it’ll still be a good game. The Predators will look win to their second straight road game and luckily the Sharks aren’t exactly a powerhouse. Although the Sharks are possession dominators, it will be a good test for the Nashville Predators.