Nashville Predators: Through 20 Games, Here are the Games to Remember

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We’re already 20 games into the 2018-19 season, and the Nashville Predators are performing up to expectations aside from a few bumps.

This season has already brought plenty of excitement and some headaches as the Nashville Predators sit atop the Central Division. We shouldn’t expect anything less from this team. They’re fun to watch and have loads of talent.

The Predators sit at 14-5-1, and that includes some close losses and some blown leads. That record also features key injuries to maneuver around and a suspension to a key depth player. All things considered, you have to be happy with where the Predators currently sit in the standings.

There’s been no shortage of crazy moments already through 20 games. The Predators have piled up some key wins over divisional teams as they’re undefeated. That’s a great recipe to defending your division crown and creating the easiest path through the playoffs. Here are your games to remember to refresh your memory on how we got here.

NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 23: Justin Braun #61 celebrates a goal with Joe Pavelski #8 of the San Jose Sharks against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena on October 23, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Blowing late leads are never fun

This is a memory we want to forget, but it’s still a major moment in the current season. The Sharks aren’t performing up to expectations right now, but they’re still an extremely dangerous team. They have the talent to match the Predators and have come out on top twice already this season.

Back in October, the Predators had the Sharks on the mat and we saw what the Sharks are capable of. You can’t ease up on them no matter the score or how late in the game it is. The Sharks were led by their superstars over the last nine minutes of the game to stun the Predators at home.

This was the first real adversity the Predators faced up to this point. They had an ugly loss to the Flames, but they were still slaying through their schedule. Losing to San Jose always stings, but especially so when you have them beat and let Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns scored the final two goals to steal it.

NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 11: Craig Smith #15 of the Nashville Predators dumps the puck in the zone against Tyler Myers #57 of the Winnipeg Jets at Bridgestone Arena on October 11, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Revenge is so sweet

Once the schedule came out, nothing stood out more than the early-season tilt with Winnipeg. The Predators had their season prematurely ended in the second round of the playoffs thanks to a hot Jets team that outlasted them in seven games. Winning a regular season game in October doesn’t fully ease the pain, but it helps.

As for the game itself, Nashville dominated more so than I could’ve expected. Pekka Rinne gets the shutout on 29 saves in a game that was close into the third period. Captain Roman Josi gave the Predators an insurance goal to salt this one away. This win reassured us that the Predators are worthy of the preseason hype.

The psyche mellowed a bit after seeing the Predators beat the Jets, even if it was so early in the season. We’ll see them plenty more times in the coming months, and the Jets are quietly hanging around not too far behind in the standings.

DALLAS, TX – NOVEMBER 10: P.K. Subban #76, Mattias Ekholm #14, Yannick Weber #7 and Kyle Turris #8 of the Nashville Predators celebrate a game-winning overtime goal against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center on November 10, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Glenn James/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Predators on the right side of a comeback

The Stars are one of those teams that look great on paper but will figure out a way to come up just short in April. Until they prove me wrong, I’ll have a hard time trusting them. With that said, their top line is as deadly as any. The Predators were trailing by two goals heading into the third period on the road. The Stars had two goals from two of their top scorers, Tyler Seguin and Jason Spezza. The streaky Ben Bishop was also playing well in net.

Less than a minute into the third, the momentum shifted towards Nashville on a goal from Ryan Johansen. A rare goal from Yannick Weber tied the game, but Dallas rallied back to take the lead. The Predators were playing to keep their undefeated road streak alive and take it to eight-straight to start the season. In overtime, Mattias Ekholm scored on a beautiful setup from Kyle Turris. Seeing all of the Predators fans cheer in enemy territory always gives me chills.

The Predators haven’t looked quite as sharp since this electrifying win, but this is one we’ll remember for a while. Winning these division games will play a major factor later down the road. Here’s a refresher on that game-winning goal from

NHL.com.

NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 27: Rocco Grimaldi #23 of the Nashville Predators plays against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Bridgestone Arena on October 27, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Predators continue domination over Oilers

You don’t see domination on the level of 13-straight wins over a certain opponent very often. Especially over one that’s supposed to be making a jump and has plenty of young talent. That’s the Oilers, and I’m still expecting them to make the playoffs. However, the Predators have always had their number. This particular game was a dominant win that you don’t see very often in the NHL. Even lopsided games on paper usually end up being close.

This win put Nashville at 7-1 and gave Juuse Saros one of his best performances of his NHL career. A 31-save effort and his fifth shutout with the Predators. The great Connor McDavid was held without a point, which is astounding. It’s worth noting that the Oilers have since ended their losing streak to Nashville with a win a week later.

Next. A Storm is Brewing as Predators and Lightning Clash. dark

Even though the Oilers aren’t in the Predators’ division, this is another win that will be very valuable later in the season against a Western Conference foe who will be in the mix for the playoffs. Shutouts are hard to come by in today’s league no matter who the opponent. Anytime Saros can put together these kinds of performances, we can be comforted at knowing we’re in good hands after Rinne retires.

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