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Nashville Predators awards for a terrible December

By Steve Cook

OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 17: Roman Josi #59 of the Nashville Predators celebrates his second period goal against the Ottawa Senators with teammates Craig Smith #15, Ryan Ellis #4 and Ryan Johansen #92 at Canadian Tire Centre on December 17, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images)
OTTAWA, ON - DECEMBER 17: Roman Josi #59 of the Nashville Predators celebrates his second period goal against the Ottawa Senators with teammates Craig Smith #15, Ryan Ellis #4 and Ryan Johansen #92 at Canadian Tire Centre on December 17, 2018 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)
(Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Biggest Win By A Predators Fan: Rusev wins the WWE United States Championship on the Christmas/Rusev Day edition of SmackDown Live

The Nashville Predators had a bad December. That didn’t stop their fans from finding ways to make the month a win. WWE Superstar & die-hard Predator fan Rusev had an up & down year at work. He got more popular than ever with the WWE Universe. Rusev Day became something of a phenomenon that the company didn’t really know how to capitalize on. Rusev got title shots & big matches here & there, but never really had that one moment to shine in 2018.

At least, not until the last SmackDown Live of 2018. Rusev got a United States Championship Match against Shinsuke Nakamura and took advantage of the opportunity to become a three-time US Champ.

Rusev’s wife & fellow Predators fan Lana couldn’t have been happier. It may have been an unhappy Predator Month, but we can expect more Happy Rusev Days ahead.

Most Valuable Predator: Ryan Johansen

One of the people most affected by many of the Nashville Predators’ top players being injured was Ryan Johansen. Instead of looking to his sides & seeing Forsberg & Arvidsson all the time, he’d see any number of things from night to night. It had to be what a top-line center feels like when he gets traded from a contending team to a cellar-dweller.

Johansen made the most of it though, as heading into Saturday night’s game against the New York Rangers he was tied with the most points in December with 10. Eight of those were assists, so he was still doing what he typically does on the first line. Many of us would like him to shoot more, but he’s the kind of guy that likes to pass to a shooter. It’s a refreshing approach in the 2010s.

Johansen makes whoever he plays with better. Ryan Hartman looks like a monster for a few games because he has Johansen setting him up. Kevin Fiala’s game has a resurgence. Whoever gets up on that first line looks somewhat relevant.

The Little Arvy that Could. dark. Next

It’s when times are tough when you realize who’s there for you. Predators fans can rest easy knowing that Ryan Johansen is there for them.

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