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Nashville Predators: Three Things That Have Fueled the Resurgence

By Chad Minton

Nashville Predators right wing Eeli Tolvanen (28) celebrates with teammates after a power play goal during the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nashville Predators right wing Eeli Tolvanen (28) celebrates with teammates after a power play goal during the first period against the Detroit Red Wings at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators center Nick Cousins (21) and Nashville Predators left wing Erik Haula (56) Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Nashville Predators no longer a rudderless ship

This team finally has an identity it feels like. It’s crazy to think that the key injuries the Predators had to deal with actually forced them to find themselves, dig deep and discover what they had down at the bottom of the depth chart.

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What this team is showing is that they can win games ugly if they need to, and they’re not going to let you have much of anything in easy fashion. You’re going to have to grind it out for every inch of the ice.

The Predators are that smash-you-in-the-face type of team that’s going to force you to give away the puck to fuel their own opportunities. A big reason for this is the tenacity that the youth of the roster has shown.

Big props go out to Mathieu Olivier, Yakov Trenin, Alexandre Carrier, Ben Harpur and of course Eeli Tolvanen, who goes without saying.

Also, how about Luke Kunin jumping right in after returning from injury and tallying three assists over the weekend against Chicago? This team can suddenly beat your from many different angles, but I’m really seeing as a team that wants thing chippy and hard to operate.

There’s also something to be said about playing with a sense of desperation. Many of these players have known for a while now that their days could be numbered in Nashville, and they’re playing for an opportunity somewhere else.

Take for instance players like Calle Jarnkrok and Rocco Grimaldi. Two players that have found a spark through all of this and playing their best hockey right now. Teams are taking notice if the Predators decide to be sellers.

It remains to be seen if that’s going to work against fast-paced team like Florida, Tampa and Carolina down the stretch, but it’s certainly working against the other teams in the Central Division.

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