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

After scoring his ninth goal of the season against Vancouver, Craig Smith reveals his value to the Nashville Predators and foreshadows a fantastic month of December.

Ah. December. The lights are hung, the gifts are wrapped. There is a feeling of excitement in the air. Candy canes and stockings adorn living rooms, questionable fruitcakes are made. Everything just seems better.

Why, even Bridgestone arena has some lights. That red one behind the goal is the most brilliant of them all. And when Craig Smith lights it up, all the children know that Smithsmas has arrived!

The hottest of all Predators attractions lately, Craig smith has played outstanding in the month of November, scoring six goals and potting four assists. Additionally, Smith has arrived at his nine goals faster than any other year of his career. He looks on pace to score a career high this season.

As the season now begins to push into December, Craig Smith remains hot. With his production picking up after the acquisition of Kyle Turris, Smith will be a forward to watch this month. Here are three reasons why Nashville will be saying Merry Smithsmas this December.

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.