Nashville Predators: December may have Predators saying ‘Merry Smithmas’

Fiala, Turris, Smith: Three Productive Players Hop On The Ice Together…

Nobody questions whether or not acquiring Kyle Turris helps the Nashville Predators. His skill, leadership and strength down the middle have proved extremely valuable to the Predators lineup. With his acquisition, a new line combination formed. The combination may sit second in recent Nashville Predators history only to the JoFA line (Ryan Johansen, Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson).

In Nashville’s last five games (3 – 1 – 1), the team has collectively scored thirteen regulation and overtime goals. Of those thirteen, at least one member of the Fiala – Turris – Smith line has scored or assisted six of those (46%). Smith shows up four times, Turris twice and Fiala once. Since Turris’ acquisition on November 5, Craig Smith has six goals and four assists. Overall, this group has been the second most productive line on the ice since its inception and Smith has largely been the one to capitalize on all the increased chances.

Smith clearly takes the goal scorer role on his line. He benefits from Kyle Turris’ excellent faceoff production and passing abilities as well as Kevin Fiala‘s dynamic skill and ability to get the puck behind the defensemen and to the net. With a fiery tenacity, Smith gobbles up loose pucks like Uncle Al gobbled up the Thanksgiving turkey last month.

In December, this line will continue to gel and get chances. As long as Nashville continues to decrease its penalty minutes, this line will see around 14:00 of ice time.

Craig Smith Thrives On Confidence

You could assert that most players play more confidently when they are scoring goals and contributing points. However, no Predator since Playoff Colin Wilson has seemed to do it quite like Craig Smith.

During the Predators’ match against Vancouver, Craig Smith had a whale of a second period. Consider this goal:

Smith races the back-checking Canucks, beats them to the puck and has the confidence to slip home a crafty back-hand, point-blank shot. The normal Craig Smith just shoots that from the top of the circle. This Craig Smith truly believes he will score, which is absolutely terrifying for opposing goaltenders. He just waltzes right in!

The rest of the night went just like this. Smith recorded a goal, an assist and six shots in 15:48 of ice time. Those are fantastic numbers, especially when the Predators have so many other contributors.

When Smith plays confidently, he plays like a dynamic, first line winger. Nobody beats him to the puck. Nobody can slow him down as he goes to the net. This isn’t just being in the right place at the right time, but fighting for every inch and out-working every opposing player.

During the month of December, Smith will continue to elevate his game, playing confidently and skillfully.

Nashville’s Top Match-Ups

Over the month of December, the Nashville Predators play thirteen games. Of those thirteen, six are at home and seven are on the road. Nashville will play five Pacific Division teams, four Central Division teams, one Atlantic Division team and one Metropolitan Division team. That means there will not be anything to lull these Predators to sleep as the cold sets in.

Games against Dallas (12/5 & 12/23), Winnipeg (12/19), St. Louis (12/27) and Minnesota (12/29 & 12/30) will bring about big division battles in one of the tightly contested divisions in the NHL. Smith will have to step up for Nashville to enter the new year with a strong record. That’s precisely the environment that will keep him hot.

Of the teams Nashville will play in December, Smith has had the best performance against Dallas in his career, scoring eight goals and eight assists. Those numbers are third only to his success against Colorado and Chicago. Additionally, Smith has more goals on the road in his career than at home. The stage is set for a big month. Furthermore, the contests against fast Pacific Division teams like Vegas, Edmonton and Calgary will promote the quick tempo Smith loves.

Next: Hope springs in Preds fans as Ellis skates

As the month will inevitably come to an end, the results will tell the story. Smith will have had another excellent month of hockey, the Nashville Predators will be sitting tall in the standings and Predators fans will be happy.

He sprang to his bench, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all skated like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he went out of sight,
HAPPY SMITHMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!