Nashville Predators: In order to win in Winnipeg, these items are key
By Jake Evans
Better Shots on Net
In game 1 we all saw it…Hellebuyck is very good.
That’s why he’s a finalist with Rinne for the Vezina Trophy.
In game 1, Hellebuyck looked like the best goalie in the league, as he stifled the Predators offense, and allowed just 1 goal on 48 shots. On the other hand, Rinne allowed 3 of the 16 shots that he saw, but that’s a conversation for a later day.
Yes, the Predators tallied 48 shots on Hellebuyck, however, only 14 of them were high-danger chances, meaning that Nashville really wasn’t threatening on most of their shots.
Yes, it is good to put the puck on net, but if you don’t follow it up with some traffic and a real scoring threat, then that’s just an easy save for a goalie like Hellebuyck.
The Predators are doing a good job of peppering him, with 89 shots so far through games 1 and 2, however, many of those are shots from a distance that Hellebuyck can see and save cleanly. The traffic has been present at times, however, Hellebuyck’s job has just been too easy so far.
Finesse
Guys like Byfuglien are known for clearing a path wherever they go. Therefore, it’s tough to create traffic with guys like Viktor Arvidsson, if that behemoth of a human is also on the ice.
If Nashville cannot produce the traffic they need for garbage goals, they’re just going to have to pick their spots better.
The Predators forwards are plenty capable of undressing Hellebuyck. Johansen and Fiala both did it in game 2 with beautiful plays.
Therefore, I say it again, lots of shots don’t mean anything, if they hit the goalie in the chest, and no one is there to clean up a rebound.
Pick the corners, create some traffic, make a move or two. Just please stop making Hellebuyck look like a brick wall.