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Nashville Predators: Five Storylines Heading into 2023 All Star Break

By Chad Minton

Jan 26, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene (95) celebrates with defenseman Roman Josi (59) after a goal during the third period against the New Jersey Devils at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene (95) celebrates with defenseman Roman Josi (59) after a goal during the third period against the New Jersey Devils at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Filip Forsberg
Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Are the Nashville Predators Starting to Click Offensively?

Just based on recency bias alone, this is a fair question to ask considering the Nashville Predators skated circles around the New Jersey Devils to put up five goals and tack on an empty netter to win 6-4 to head into the break.

In terms of Expected Goals For, you can rightfully make the case that the Nashville Predators have been victims to some unfortunate puck luck and stellar goaltending on the other side. Despite being only 26th in Goals Per Game at 2.81, the Predators are actually 2nd in the NHL according to MoneyPuck in Expected Goals For (114.2) at 5v5 even strength hockey.

That is a pretty wild discrepancy if you ask me. It illustrates that the Predators have to do a better job at finishing off their scoring chances, and that hopefully the law of averages will turn back their way post All-Star break.

Only four of their last nine wins have the Predators been required to score more than three goals to secure the win. They’ve been winning relatively low-scoring games as of late. Dating back over those last nine wins, the Predators have gone 9-4-0 and outscored opponents 43-34. That spanning back to when the calendar flipped to 2023.

Can the Predators continue to gradually build more offensive chemistry after the break? Seeing Matt Duchene look more assertive on the offensive end has been refreshing to see and holds a big key to that happening.

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