It may just be the preseason, but the Nashville Predators have started the 2019-20 campaign on a positive note with a sweep of their doubleheader.
Ladies and gentleman, we have hockey again. Sure, it’s just the preseason and doesn’t count towards the standings, but it’s nice to see the Nashville Predators off to a good start nonetheless with two wins in their annual doubleheader with the Florida Panthers.
The Predators won the first game of the doubleheader 6-3 in after trailing 3-1 in the 2nd period. The second game of the doubleheader was the complete opposite style of a game with a 1-0 shutout. It marks the second-straight year that the Predators sweep the Panthers in the preseason.
Game 1
We got good looks at some of the up and coming talent in the Predators organization, including goals from Phillip Tomasino and Rem Pitlick. These youngsters are fresh off a sweep of the 2019 Prospects Showcase, so it’s been a great couple of weeks for this group.
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Others goal scorers from the 6-3 win were Austin Watson, Nick Bonino and Tanner Jeannot. Bonino finishes the strong performance with two goals and an assist. He’s entering a big fork in the road for his Predators career, and could possibly be trade bait at this point.
Troy Grosenick got the initial start in net, and it wasn’t a particularly good performance giving up three goals. He’ll be one of the main starters for the Milwaukee Admirals in the AHL this season, along with Connor Ingram. In relief Ingram stopped all 11 shots faces to preserve the 6-3 win for the Predators. It will be interesting to watch these two guys in Milwaukee this upcoming season. Ingram came to the Predators in thr offseason from the Lightning in a trade for a 2021 seventh-round pick.
Both powers plays failed to convert on all four attempts. That’s one area we’re desperate to see improvement on this season.
Game 2
The second game of the doubleheader was much more of a grudge match, with the Predators once again failing to convert on the power play with six attempts. The lone goal of the game comes from Laurent Dauphin, who has 35 games of NHL experience with Arizona. Most of his action has come in the AHL.
Not much offense to speak of in this game, but the combined effort in net from Juuse Saros and 24-year-old Ken Appleby was an impressive one. Saros stopped all 14 shots faced, with Appleby finishing it off with 11 more saves. Nice to see Saros get some work in and look sharp.
The Predators did come out aggressive with 15 shots in the first period, with the lone goal from Dauphin coming early in the game. Miika Salomaki got the assist on the play as he’s playing for a spot in the bottom six.
Very solid effort defensively from the Predators with efforts from Ryan Ellis, Dan Hamhuis and Dante Fabbro to highlight the defensemen in Game 2.
Great way to start the preseason for the Predators as they get wins in two completely different ways. Their next preseason game comes Friday against the Tampa Bay Lightning at 6 PM CDT.