Nashville Predators: Lesson Learned From The Blue Jackets?

The Nashville Predators skated to a narrow victory on Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, blowing a 3-0 lead and having to win in overtime. While it is good that they came away with the victory, it should have never gone to overtime in the first place.

The game of hockey has an inevitable ebb and flow to it. The momentum comes and goes in waves.  Teams can beat each other on any given night, no matter the talent on the roster.

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However, when you are a team such as the Predators, who two months ago were on the brink of a massive rebuild, you can’t afford to blow a 3-0 lead in the 3rd period to a lone player who hadn’t had a goal all season.

This isn’t to take away from the accomplishment that Emil Bemstrom achieved. A hat trick stretched across three periods is hard to do for even a seasoned veteran. To get a natural hat trick all in one period is nothing short of amazing.

No, this isn’t about what Bemstrom and the Blue Jackets did. It is about what the Predators didn’t do.

Third Period Blues

Typically the Predators are known for their ability to take over or make incredible comebacks in the 3rd period. This was not the case against the Blue Jackets or the Florida Panthers in their final meeting.

The Predators held a 4-3 lead going into the 3rd period of the game against the Panthers. They allowed four straight goals in the 3rd period and took a 7-4 loss.

In the overtime win against the Blue Jackets, the Predators had a commanding 3-0 lead when the wheels fell off. A fluke goal knocked into Nashville’s net by Ryan Ellis while attempting to clear the puck gave the Blue Jackets some momentum.

On a side note, I wasn’t even sure that there were fans in Nationwide Arena until that goal. It was very silent up until that point. Once Bemstrom got his second goal, the crowd picked up their intensity. The third goal had the fans on the edge of their seats.

The Nashville Predators Have To Close Out Games

The above statement could not be more accurate. The Predators have to finish games that they have leads in. Finishing games in regulation would be a bonus.

Take, for instance, all of the overtime wins against the Dallas Stars. All five of Nashville’s victories against the Stars were either overtime or shootout wins, giving Dallas a crucial point each time. Had those been outright victories, Nashville may have already clinched the 4th spot in the playoff race.

The Predators need to find a way to counter and snuff out any momentum that teams start to build, especially in the 3rd period. While there is that ebb and flow that we talked about earlier, they have to take control, ramp up the intensity and finish games.

On Monday night, the Predators were fortunate against Columbus, a team they have regularly beaten this season. Roman Josi’s spectacular goal to close out the game in overtime proved that this team doesn’t quit.

If the Predators get into the playoffs, the results of blowing a lead against higher-caliber teams such as Florida, Tampa Bay, and Carolina may not go in Nashville’s favor. They need to get the lead, keep it, and kill any momentum that teams may build.

Tonight in Columbus, the Predators can’t afford to give up the two points that will come with a victory. A Nashville win coupled with a Dallas loss should cinch up that 4th playoff spot for the Predators. Then the real test for this resurgent Predators team will begin.

The puck drops at 6:00 PM CDT with Bally Sports South televising the game.  Follow along with us on Twitter for up-to-the-minute game commentary.