Nashville Predators: Top Line Has to Quickly Snap Out of Their Funk
By Chad Minton
It has been a shockingly mundane start to the 2022-23 season for the top line of the Nashville Predators. The same line that went on a rampage last season to set new franchise highs in goals.
Through four games, there has been a lot left to be desired from this trio of Filip Forsberg, Mikael Granlund and Matt Duchene. And simply put, this can’t linger too much longer, or the Nashville Predators will start digging themselves a hole they can’t climb out of.
Even in the two wins over the lowly San Jose Sharks, I didn’t come away from those two games being overly impressed with the top line. Sure, Forsberg and Duchene both tallied goals, but Duchene’s was an empty net in garbage time while Forsberg’s was vintage pure skill.
Granlund has three assists on the season, with one coming as a secondary assist on a 5-on-3 power play, and the other coming on Duchene’s empty net goal. So again, not really that impressive.
Underwhelming Early Results from Nashville Predators’ Top Line
The trio of Forsberg, Duchene and Granlund have just seven combined points through four games. Just not enough production, and it comes down to finishing off those chances.
According to MoneyPuck.com, Nashville’s top line is 15th in Expected Goals among forward lines with at least 20 minutes of ice time. On the flip side, this line is 8th-worst in Expected Goals Against among forward lines.
When the competition ramped up against a much more quality team in the Dallas Stars, this line was rendered basically ineffective in one game, and unable to capitalize on some high danger chances in the second matchup.
The reason I have optimism, other than it being in the infancy of the season, is that I just can’t fathom this line not eventually erupting. Tonight’s game against the LA Kings would be a great time for that to occur.
The Kings have given up four or more goals in each of their four games this season, leading to a 2-2-0 record. In one of their wins, they still surrendered six goals to the Minnesota Wild.
Seattle, Vegas and Detroit all put up four goals against the Kings, so why can’t the Predators get in on the fun on Tuesday night? They really need to wake up from the offensive slumber they put forth against the Dallas Stars in two losses for a combined margin of 9-2.
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Things are going to get ugly if for some reason this line continues to struggle to produce offense, and most importantly, finish at the net. You can have encouraging analytics all you want, but finishing is what matters ultimately.
Forsberg and Duchene will start burying some of these goals, especially via the power play. Just one power play goal in the first four games despite plenty of chances. Start with that basic area and you’ll see this line start producing again, and in return the Predators will look more like the team we saw in Prague.
Not to be overlooked, Ryan Johansen’s line has been the most consistent on the team by far. Eeli Tolvanen seems to be a good fit and seizing the opportunity for top-six minutes.
Nino Niederreiter leads the team in goals with four, so it’s not all doom and gloom for the top core of the lineup. We just need it all to come together at the same time. The Niederreiter/Johansen/Tolvanen combination only has around 20 minutes of ice time together so far, but already sixth in the league in Expected Goals For %.
As for the top line, We should start seeing improvement and better results against the LA Kings on Tuesday. If not, then the criticism and frustration will begin to mount. Patience isn’t this fanbase’s strong suite at this point.