Nashville Predators Awards for January
By Steve Cook
![NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Viktor Arvidsson #33 of the Nashville Predators celebrates his goal against Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks at Bridgestone Arena on October 23, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images) NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Viktor Arvidsson #33 of the Nashville Predators celebrates his goal against Martin Jones #31 of the San Jose Sharks at Bridgestone Arena on October 23, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Russell/NHLI via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/e06a506eb10782442c168d0657f9e106892e89960fcabf2924ee4957cb673919.jpg)
Best Predator Teammate: Ryan Hartman
The future of the Nashville Predators goaltending situation has been discussed ad nauseum over the past couple of years. Juuse Saros looks like he’ll be the top goalie once his father Pekka Rinne steps aside, but some folks still aren’t sure. The main knock against Saros? Dude’s too short.
Well, those folks got some ammunition when Saros had some issues getting over the boards in the Montreal game. Fortunately, all-around good guy Ryan Hartman was there to help his little buddy out.
The beautiful game. pic.twitter.com/Ys0t6Roenm
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 6, 2019
Then you’ve got Matt Irwin next to this all like “Really? You crowding me, dude.” At least we know that Hartman has his goalie’s back.
Best Predators Performance: January 7 (Nashville 4, Toronto 0)
The National Hockey League makes its home in Toronto, and people do have their hopes up for the Maple Leafs these days with some of the talent they’ve drafted and acquired. That Auston Matthews guy is kinda good, right?
So any time you can roll into Toronto & shut the Maple Leafs out is worth celebrating. From what I hear, it’s an even bigger deal in Canada. Most of those fans are darn sick & tired of NHL coverage revolving around the Leafs. It’s like how American fans feel about NBC’s fixation with the Chicago Blackhawks, but on an even bigger scale.
I would compare it to American coverage of the New England Patriots, but that team actually wins championships. MLK & RFK were still alive the last time the Leafs won a championship.