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Nashville Predators: Three up, three down from opening round victory

By Corey Francis

DENVER, CO - APRIL 22: Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban, right, #76 and Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog #92 hug it out at the end game 6 of round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after the Predators won 5-0 at the Pepsi Center April 22, 2018. The Predators won the series 4-2. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - APRIL 22: Nashville Predators defenseman P.K. Subban, right, #76 and Colorado Avalanche left wing Gabriel Landeskog #92 hug it out at the end game 6 of round one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs after the Predators won 5-0 at the Pepsi Center April 22, 2018. The Predators won the series 4-2. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 29: Nick Bonino #13 talks with Ryan Ellis #4 of the Nashville Predators as the waits for play to begin against the San Jose Sharks during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on March 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 29: Nick Bonino #13 talks with Ryan Ellis #4 of the Nashville Predators as the waits for play to begin against the San Jose Sharks during an NHL game at Bridgestone Arena on March 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /

No Bones about it

We are starting to see the worth of the Predators’ biggest off-season signing. Nick Bonino played well during the season, but fan expected more from the Stanley Cup Champion. His 25-point season was the lowest of his career when playing more than 50 games. During the series against Colorado, Bonino shined through.

Bonino tallied two goals and three assists during 5v5 situations in the series, best of all Nashville centers. Additionally, he won over 62% of his faceoffs. What is really telling about how well Bonino played was the fact he was deployed in the offensive zone 32% of the time.

The Predators scored 9 of their 22 goals when Bonino was on the ice. He led the Predators in points per 60 (4.76) and individual goals expected per game (1.24) at even-strength. These stats are significantly higher than this season averages.

Compared to his play last year in the playoffs with Pittsburgh, Bonino is excelling. The Predators already have more high-dangers goals this year than the Penguins did last year with Bonino on the ice. With one more goal, Bonino will tie his former team’s output when he played. He is already paying dividends for the Predators.

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