Best Predators Game: February 27 at Winnipeg Jets (6-5 win)
There were a ton of candidates for this one, but the last game of the month gets it. The Jets and Predators seem to be on the road to a meeting in the Western Conference Semi-Final. If the games are anything like their regular season encounters have been, it’s going to be a great series.
The first period started off innocently enough. The Predators and Jets each got a ton of shots off, but Pekka Rinne and Connor Hellebuyck were up to the task. The floodgates opened in the second period. Mark Scheifele tried to start some stuff with P.K. Subban, then followed it up with two straight goals to put the Jets up 3-1. The Predators stormed back with a goal from Kyle Turris that led to a failed challenge and a power-play goal from Mattias Ekholm. Winnipeg got a goal from Nikolaj Ehlers to re-take the lead, and Paul Statsny got his first goal as a Jet to attain a 5-3 advantage with 10 minutes left.
We know that 10 minutes is more than enough time for the Nashville Predators. Craig Smith made it 5-4 a mere fifty-five seconds later. Ryan Johansen tied it at 13:57, and Ryan Hartman poked in a Roman Josi pass to give the Predators their first lead of the game with a minute left. A heart-breaking loss for Winnipeg and another thrilling comeback win for Nashville. Josi had a mind-bending five assists this game to bump his total to the month to fourteen.
Can we fast-forward to the Jets/Predators playoff series? It’s going to be so stressful and so much fun at the same time.