Nashville Predators: A Kyle Turris Eruption Gravely Needed

With the Nashville Predators on the brink of elimination, there’s a desperate need for a Turris eruption for the second line.

Regardless of what ends up happening, the early-season acquisition of Kyle Turris can be considered a success. However, we haven’t seen much from him in the playoffs. This has to change quickly for the Nashville Predators to stay alive.

The Predators are getting contributions from the JoFA line, as well as the third and fourth line. Where there is a lot to be desired is the Turris line. We have to see more of an impact from this line, and Turris is the leader. I’ve always considered him one of the main keys to the Predators make another deep run in the playoffs.

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We have to give credit to the Winnipeg Jets for living up to their own hype. They’re coming at the Predators from many different angles. Their roster is deep, just like the Predators, and they’re getting good enough goaltending to now be one win away from the conference finals. To get another road win in Winnipeg, depth has to show up for the Predators.

Turris’ impact so far

Turris has just three assists in the playoffs. That’s in 11 games if you’re not keeping count. It doesn’t take an expert to understand that’s not nearly good enough from your leader on the second line. We always said that the Predators’ depth would take them back to the Stanley Cup Final, but not if Turris has little to no impact. Here’s what Andrew Berkshire of Sportsnet has to say about Turris’ disappearance:

As for Craig Smith, I assess his playoff performance as average. However, the Winnipeg series he’s missing in action. Only one assist in this series. That stems from Turris not getting more involved and setting up his linemates. We need more aggression and assertiveness from this line, and it starts with Turris.

Turris isn’t even shooting the puck, which obviously makes it difficult to score. He has just three shots over the last three games. It’s puzzling that a line that was so instrumental in the regular season success is now completely unproductive. It’s hurting the Predators badly as they can’t match Winnipeg’s depth.

I don’t want to overshadow Turris’ huge assist in Game 2 that set up Kevin Fiala‘s game-winning goal in double overtime. The Predators would be eliminated if not for that savvy play from him. My expectations for Turris are way higher than just one highlight reel play over an entire series. We need more from him as he was brought in as a vital piece of the puzzle to winning a Stanley Cup.

What Turris can provide

Turris can get the second line back into gear. He’s an excellent passer and knows how to set up the offense in high danger areas. He’s not necessarily out there to pile up the goals, but he does need to be generating more scoring chances for Fiala and Smith.

This is where Turris can really make a difference. Not by scoring goals, but by maximizing the potential of the two goal scorers he plays side by side with. Two or three assists is what the doctor is ordering from Turris in Game 6.

The JoFA is pulling its weight. They’re mostly playing as good as advertised, and that has to remain so. A one-two punch of the JoFA line and Turris’ line finding its mojo will allow the Predators to get a jolt of energy on offense. There’s no way the Predators are forcing a Game 7 without putting up four-plus goals. All of that pressure can’t be put onto the JoFA line. It has to come from somewhere else, and the Turris line is the major void in this series.

Sadly, Pekka Rinne is in a funk at the worst possible time. It doesn’t mean he can’t put up a big night in Game 6 to offset a bad offensive performance, but I’m not betting on it. The Predators need four to five goals to stretch this thing out to a seventh game. I’m not jumping out of Turris’ corner. He’s a great player that makes the Nashville Predators a better team. He just needs to show it and is it still isn’t too late.

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Let’s hope Turris can finally have a big game to propel the Nashville Predators to a win. A three-point night, along with another productive night from the JoFA line, will put the Predators in a good spot to tie the series. Another no-show from Turris, and the Predators are going to struggle to keep up on the scoreboard. I expect Winnipeg to score another three to four goals in Game 6.