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Nashville Predators: Four bold predictions for the 2018-19 season

By Corey Francis

NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 29: The Nashville Predators win 5-4 in overtime against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - APRIL 29: The Nashville Predators win 5-4 in overtime against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bridgestone Arena on April 29, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – MAY 05: Nashville Predators left wing Kevin Fiala (22) is shown prior to Game Five of Round Two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators, held on May 5, 2018, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Fiala was a healthy scratch for Game Four. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MAY 05: Nashville Predators left wing Kevin Fiala (22) is shown prior to Game Five of Round Two of the Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators, held on May 5, 2018, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Fiala was a healthy scratch for Game Four. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Fiala finds his way

Question: Which player score more goals at even-strength? Arvidsson or Patrik Laine?

The answer? Arvidsson, who scored 23 goals at even-strength compared to 22 for Laine.

Next question. Who was second on the Nashville Predators with 19  goals at even-strength? Not Forsberg or Smith.

It was Kevin Fiala. This season, he takes a leap forward.

Bold Prediction: Fiala tallies 35 goals in 2018-19.

There is no doubting the scoring desire of Fiala, but the puck doesn’t find the back of the net like we all hope. Many don’t even make it on net. Last year, Fiala earned an individual CorsiFor of 354 shots total. Only 187 made it on net. While he finished with a solid shooting percentage of 12.3%, think about all the missed opportunities.

Remember earlier when discussing the JoFA line I mentioned they were fifth in xGF%? The line of Craig Smith, Kyle Turris, and Fiala were tops in the league. They all were used significantly in the offensive zone, being deployed there over 60% of the time. The opportunities will be plentiful for Fiala to score.

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