Nashville Predators: Shutout Win Over Detroit Sparks Some Optimism

With where the Nashville Predators are right now, you take every win with cautious optimism. Even with that, it’s a big win for the Predators as they try to climb up the standings.

We’re still looking for that first three-game winning streak of the season, but the Predators definitely have something positive going over the last two games.

The Predators beat the Detroit Red Wings 2-0 behind Pekka Rinne‘s 59th career shutout, and Filip Forsberg‘s ninth goal of the season.

What stood out for the Nashville Predators

What really stood out was the team responded admirably to a tough break after they had a goal overturned in what was a defensive struggle between both teams.

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It’s been a common theme all season that the Predators go through lapses, often times in the 2nd period, but on this night they kept to their game and eventually overmatched a Red Wings team that also lacks offensive weapons.

After the goal was overturned due to a Detroit challenge of goaltender interference, it would’ve been a normal time for the Predators to fold. A time when bad luck strikes them again, and the other team takes advantage.

That wasn’t the case this time. The Predators quickly responded by Forsberg snapping one towards the net that found it’s way in. It came on the power play thanks to some hard work by Rocco Grimaldi to draw the penalty.

The Predators power play has been showing modest improvement over the last couple games, and it showed up in a big way in this moment in the game when everything was still hanging in the balance in a defensive stalemate.

There was no backing down by the Predators after getting that breakthrough goal. Just a little over five minutes later, Forsberg got in on the action again by setting up Eeli Tolvanen on another power play goal.

This goal came in a fashion of Tolvanen getting a perfect set-up from Forsberg to rocket one past Jonathan Bernier. It’s the type of goal we’ve all known Tolvanen is capable of scoring, so it was refreshing to see that.

It was Pekka Rinne’s show after that as he made several key saves to handle the Detroit onslaught and secure his 59th career shutout. It moves him into the top-20 list all time in NHL history:

A postgame interview from Rinne was really telling as he talked about being supportive of Juuse Saros, and also not knowing what to expect going into the season but that he loves to compete:

So the Predators have a little newfound life after two wins in a row, albeit against Columbus and Detroit. But the important takeaway is they were complete wins.

Other game notes

Roman Josi recorded two assists in the game and is now up to eight assists on the season. He is still well behind his pace of last season when he won the Norris Trophy.

The Predators are now one of only three teams in the NHL left this season to not have an overtime or shootout loss this season.

Another must-win matchup is on Thursday against the Red Wings before facing the Blue Jackets once again, which is a team they’ve already beaten three out of four times. So the Predators have an opportunity to build a nice winning streak here.

Regardless of what happens in the next few games, the Predators are realistically sellers as the trade deadline will approach. We’ll have to wait and see how much that narrative will change if the Predators do start surprising people and stringing together wins.