Defensive Leadership
The staple of the Predators all season long has been their deep, and very talented blue line. Guys like P.K. Subban and Roman Josi led Nashville all year long. Despite the fact that Mattias Ekholm was the only defenseman to record a goal against Colorado, they were still sharp, and very active in the Predators offense.
Subban, Josi, Ekholm, and Ryan Ellis combined for 13 assists on 22 Predator goals in the series. In the regular season, those four defenseman assisted on 49% of the team’s goals. This past series, they assisted on 59%, a number that you love to see. This means that on those 13 goals, Nashville set up an attack, on their way to a goal.
You always take goals any way you can get them; however, breakaways and unassisted goals are harder to maintain, as that is just the result of an individual effort.
Goals with assists from the blue line mean more, as it shows true offensive skill and chemistry. Offense like that is more maintainable.
Despite allowing 15 goals in 6 games, the Predators and their defense are still allowing the 2nd fewest goals per game this season. With the high-powered Winnipeg offense coming soon, Nashville will be looking to its blue line to keep games close, and add huge points to the offense.