Nashville Predators: Big Names Step Up In Dramatic Win Over the Capitals
By Matt Klett
In a heavyweight matchup, between two of the last three Presidents Trophy winners, Washington could not contain the Nashville Predators’ resilient offense.
The Nashville Predators offense showed they have plenty of firepower on each line and the big time names stepped up when it mattered most to get this exciting 6-5 win. This moves the team to a 3-1 record on the young season.
Resilience. The Predators find a way to win. That was the bottom line from the game last night, and should be the bottom line of every game they play. They overcame adversity and found the recipe for success.
Even after some bad bounces, defensemen falling down in their own zone, two power-play goals allowed and one short-handed goal allowed. This wasn’t a flawless win for the Predators.
The Predators did not look perfect, but they looked determined and resilient. They never let the fans doubt who was going to win. Comebacks might be a common theme for this team this season.
How it unfolded
Ryan Johansen led the charge with two goals. His line of Viktor Arvidsson and Calle Jarnkrok produced four assists for a line total of six points. It was Jarnkrok’s chance at playing on the top line.
On the other top line, Matt Duchene and Filip Forsberg accounted for one goal and one assist apiece. Along with Mikael Granlund’s two assists, the Duchene line and Johansen line each tallied six points.
However, the two most important goals last night came from Nick Bonino late in the third period to even the score at five, and then thirty seconds later Mattias Ekholm scored off a slap shot to give Nashville the lead and eventually a win.
Jarnkrok-Johansen-Arvidsson
Jarnkrok was given the first line role in this one to see if the top line can be even more productive, and it worked. Jarnkrok didn’t score, and actually whiffed on a shot in the first period, but was creating plays left and right while earning two assists.
Tonight, this line of Jarnkrok-Johansen-Arvidsson was credited with two goals and four assists, the exact same stat line that the Duchene line produced.
Johansen had his first multi-goal game since 2016 and benefited from Jarnkrok’s superior passing. Arvidsson also had two assists and played a big role on offense, defense, and special teams tonight. That’s nothing new.
The combination of these top two lines makes the Predators one of the most dangerous teams in the league.
What Could Be Improved
Most of Washington’s chances came on unforced errors, and they capitalized (pun intended) on most of those unforced errors. The Predators really need to tighten up defensively before it starts to cost them games.
Even on the power play last night, they left no one back to contain the puck on multiple occasions. This is what allowed Tom Wilson to take it coast to coast for the short-handed goal. Not only was there a short-handed goal given up, but also two power play goals. Special teams wasn’t great for the Predators despite the win.
The Predators penalty kill struggled. Specifically to stop Alexander Ovechkin, but the Predators were not the first team (and won’t be the last) that struggled to contain Ovechkin on the man advantage.
Because the Capitals have a generational player in Ovechkin, it is hard to be concerned with the penalty kill after last night. Sometimes great players get the best of you regardless of what you are doing right or wrong.
Lastly, it is worth mentioning that Pekka Rinne struggled. Stopping just 21 of 26 shots for a save percentage of just over 80. The Capitals are a team that even the beat goaltenders are going to struggle against at times. Braden Holtby struggled on the other side as well for Washington.
While Rinne wasn’t great, most of the Capitals shots were on legitimate scoring chances and its hard to blame him for the scoring chances created. Especially when the defense turns the puck over right in front of your own net.
Rocco Grimaldi and Daniel Carr
Rocco Grimaldi was scratched and is listed as day-to-day. Daniel Carr came in and played with Kyle Turris and Craig Smith.
While he only shows up on the scoresheet with one shot, Carr hustled all night and showed his ability and willingness to shoot the puck. That is something that the Predators need, especially on a line with Turris (who loves to pass), a player that is willing to shoot the puck could improve that line even more.
With that said, Carr is the Predators 13th forward and won’t see much time unless someone gets hurt, but I really do like what he brings to the table.
You wrap this one up, how about Forsberg scoring his fourth goal in four-straight games to start a season? That’s a new franchise record. His chemistry with Duchene is something to behold. As for Duchene, he tabs his first goal as a Nashville Predator and also tallies his seventh assist of the early season.
Amazing, fun win for the Predators over a solid Capitals team. They finally hit the road for the time this season as they’ll travel to the West Coast to battle the Kings.