Nashville Predators’ Five Most Awesome Moments From This Season
Predators vs. Stars in the Winter Classic
I know what everyone is thinking. Why would you include this as an awesome moment? We lost the game! We lost Ryan Ellis! Are you crazy? Hear me out, everybody.
Remember that cool moment when it was revealed that the Predators would be participating in a Winter Classic game? It was an exciting time. It’s not very common that a team gets invited to take part in this yearly event.
Gameday finally arrived. The Smashville faithful came out 20,000 strong. The boys took that long walk led by Pekka Rinne and we were all proud. We may not have gotten the result that we wanted, but it was still a great moment in the history of the Nashville Predators.
With the way the fans showed up in Texas to support the team and enhanced the electric atmosphere that this year’s Winter Classic had, it should mean a future Winter Classic that might be hosted by the Predators.
This was a historical moment for the franchise, and the game was full of fireworks. The Predators lost the game and kind of fell apart in the third period, but that shouldn’t take away from the amazing atmosphere and historical moment of the Winter Classic at the Cotton Bowl.
Long-awaited return of Ryan Ellis
The Winter Classic moment provides a perfect segue to the next big moment of 2019-20 for the Nashville Predators.
February 21st saw the return of Ryan Ellis after missing 20 games due to injury. It was an overtime loss to Chicago, but he quickly picked things back up, racking up eight points in the next four games.
Here’s what Ellis had to say about his first game back, per the Predators official website:
“I thought I played fine out there tonight, not as effectively offensively. New system I’m trying to learn on the fly. [I] really just wanted to be responsible defensively and limit the chances I give up and chip in when I can.”
Ellis was still trying to get caught up with new Head Coach John Hynes’ new system as he took the helm shortly after Ellis was injured in the Winter Classic.
We won’t rehash the disgraceful incident that happened to Ellis in the Winter Classic. Or will we? I’m looking at you, Corey Perry.
The team and fans alike celebrated Ellis’ return. He was definitely missed during his time away. I firmly believe his return and tenacious gameplay contributed to the resurgence that has helped the Predators get back on track.
When you lose a dynamic defenseman like Ellis, it’s going to send your lineup into some shuffling. The defense struggled badly while Ellis was out, as did the power play.
Bridgestone Arena Erupts: The Craig Smith Story
On February 13th the New York Islanders pulled into Nashville for a Thursday night game against the home team. They left Nashville feeling like they were hit by a truck. That truck’s name is Craig Smith.
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In the 5-0 Predators win, Smith achieved his first career hat trick. He opened the scoring by bouncing the puck off of the Islander’s goaltender and into the net just 35 seconds into regulation.
Smith scored another goal at 12:19 in the first. He then went on to score his third goal in the second period completing the hat trick.
Many hats were given up by fans that night. Smith was even hunting hard for that fourth goal of the game and made the most of his ice time that night with under 13 minutes of playing time.
Smith always plays with an intensity that’s infectious for both teammates and fans alike. This was as the Predators need a fire lit under them as they were trying to climb back into the playoff race.
Filip “Scoresberg”
On January 14th Nashville Predators fans witnessed a very special goal by Filip Forsberg. Not only was it a special one, but it was also a type of goal that only one other person in the history of the NHL had ever completed.
Filip Forsberg scored an incredible lacrosse-style goal:
won the face-off and Forsberg took control of the puck. He skated towards the back of the net, scooped the puck up on to the end of his stick and with a backhand shot laid the puck in the top corner of the net.
It was an amazing shot by an amazing player, and very cool to see it actually work. Forsberg has insane offensive puck skills and he showcased it here. It was his 16th goal of the season at the time.
Unfortunately the Predators lost the game to the Oilers 4-2, but at least we got an incredible highlight clip to look back on for years to come.
Empty Netter by the G.O.A.T
January 9th saw a very special goal by a very special player. Goaltender Pekka Rinne scored an empty-net goal against the Chicago Blackhawks from behind his own net.
Late in the third period, Nashville was winning the game 4-2. Chicago had pulled their goaltender to try to even the game. The puck floated behind Rinne, and the rest is history:
He skated to the puck and with a hard shot sent it down the entire length of the rink. The puck neared the empty goal, bounced a bit and went in.
What a time to be alive and be a Predators fan. And that moment came at a rough time as Peter Laviolette was just fired and the team was really at rock bottom.
Once they realized what had just happened, the other Nashville players on the ice surrounded Rinne congratulating him, which makes this moment even more amazing.
The Nashville bench erupted and encouraged Rinne to skate past the bench for celebratory fist bumps. Being the humble guy that he is, he declined.
Rinne became the second goaltender in Nashville Predators’ history to record a goal behind Chris Mason. This has to be the greatest highlight of this season so far, even going way back in franchise history.
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This crazy season has had its ups and downs. With the season on pause and all of us missing hockey, we hope that these memorable moments have somehow brightened your day.