Nashville Predators: Predators Go Streaking Into The All-Star Game
The Nashville Predators are heading into the All-Star Break red hot. No one saw it coming without Forsberg but the team is on an eight-game point streak.
The Predators were looking to finish the first half of the season strong before heading into the All-Star Break and they did just that. They finished on an eight-game point streak, with six wins and two overtime losses. That is an impressive feat for the Predators considering they have been without Filip Forsberg for a few weeks now, but still continue to win games. Ryan Ellis came back from injury at the start of January and didn’t skip a beat. He has played great defensively and has three goals and two assists in nine games. Viktor Arvidsson has scored two goals in his three games back after his quick stint on the IR.
The Predators have been one of the best teams in hockey all year, and the point streak just goes to show that point. The Predators had a five-game win streak going before they ran into the league’s best team, the Tampa Bay Lightning. They were still able to come away with a point in an overtime loss. Although the other overtime loss was against the Arizona Coyotes, the league’s worst team, the wins make up for that. The Predators came away with impressive wins against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Los Angeles Kings, and the New Jersey Devils.
Pekka Rinne and Juuse Saros have been a big part of this point streak for the Predators. Saros played perfectly against the hottest team in the NHL, the Vegas Golden Knights, as held them scoreless on 43 shots. Rinne shut out the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, making it his 4th shutout of the year.
Subban proving his worth
P.K. Subban has shown doubters why he deserved to be the Central Division captain in the All-Star game. He’s been a key part of the defensive unit, and played great in Ellis’ absence. During the eight-game point streak, Subban has eight points in those games with three goals and five assists. All three of those goals have come in the last three games.
Subban is now the point leader for the Predators with 37 points on the year. He has 12 goals and 25 assists. Those 12 goals rank 1st in the NHL in goals scored by a defenseman.
Fiala stepping up in a big way
Kevin Fiala has been one of the Predators best players this season and has stepped up when other star players come down with an injury. Fiala has shown that he can play on just about any line for the Predators and bring success to that line. Fiala had been playing great with Kyle Turris and Craig Smith but was moved to the third line because of injuries to Forsberg, Arvidsson, and Johansen. Since then, Fiala has played great with that line, as he scored three goals the week before. Every time Fiala shoots the puck, you think it’s going to go in, especially with the way he’s been playing the last few months. It is impressive to think that Fiala didn’t score his first goal of the year until the 16th game of the year, and now is 4th on the team in goals scored with 13.