Nashville Predators: Three Things We Want to See in Final Two Games

Play Like the Playoffs are Still Possible 

Carrying momentum into the offseason is a real thing, and that’s exactly what the Nashville Predators need to be playing for in the final two games. Playing for pride is extremely important, especially against two divisional opponents who are battling for the Central Division crown.

How the team responds against the Minnesota Wild in particular on Thursday will show us a lot about this team’s mental fortitude. Will they stay focused and keep that same energy they’ve had for the last month or so that has led to upset victories over teams like Boston, Vegas and Carolina?

We also want to see them continue to build on and show improvement in areas that they struggled in. This is primarily on the offensive end and on the power play.

How sweet it would be to see this team finish on a strong note and put it all together heading into the offseason with some power play success against Minnesota and Colorado.

I also don’t think it would be wise to rush anyone back from an injury, most notably Roman Josi, with the playoffs no longer in reach. Let the young ones finish what they started. They’ve earned that right before many of them head back to the Milwaukee Admirals to represent in the AHL’s postseason.

If the Predators can win their last two games, they’ll finish with 94 points. The same point total they had when they crept into the 2017 postseason and made the unexpected run to the Stanley Cup Final.

One More Gem from Juice in Vezina Trophy Debate 

While we know realistically that Juuse Saros isn’t going to claim the Vezina Trophy hardware over Linus Ullmark, I’m still hoping he adds another strong performance to his state line.

Saros leads the NHL in Goals Saved Above Expected and Total Saves. And it’s no guarantee that he’ll get his second-straight Vezina Trophy nomination with Illya Sorokin and Connor Hellebuyck also deserving candidates, and their teams are in the playoffs while Saros’ is not.

I think Saros has to go out with one more incredible start to leave the voters with something to chew on when deciding which three goalies get the nomination. It’s not an easy debate at all as this is a time when there are so many immensely talented goalies in the NHL.

It really all comes down to what the voters, the general managers, prioritize most. They don’t have any easy decision on their hands this year. But when you look at Saros’ heavy usage rate and yet he still keeps his numbers up there with the best of them, it makes for a strong case in his corner.

Not sure how the Predators will decide who starts which game, but I would think Saros gets the start vs. Minnesota, and Kevin Lankinen caps off the season against Colorado. Two goalies expected to be your duo again next season. Both have been major bright spots for the team. Let’s see them finish strong.

Who Will Stand Out from the Youth to Close Out 2022-23?

Alright, so we already know that Tommy Novak, Cody Glass and Luke Evangelista took center stage throughout this entire run for the playoffs. Do they have a couple more highlight reel plays in store for us to hold us over until next season?

Novak can push to third on the team in points and pass Filip Forsberg if he can tally two more points. Even the big believer in Novak, including myself, before the season started didn’t see that coming.

Of course Forsberg being out so long is the reason why, but still an impressive accomplishment by Novak who didn’t join the team until mid-December.

You want these guys to keep their momentum up not only for next season, but in the shorter term, for the Milwaukee Admirals heading into the AHL playoffs.

I would like to see some other younger players get into the mix and make some good things happen. Spencer Stastney has been fun to watch in his first six games, recording two assists and six blocked shots.

Another defenseman that got into the mix late in the season is Jake Livingstone. He has been getting gradually more comfortable in his first NHL action as a collegiate standout and no experience in the professional ranks at all.

How impressive is that? With no pro experience, Livingstone has moved into the lineup about as seamlessly and commendable as you can ask for.

The playoffs may not happen, but this young core gives you plenty of reasons to tune into the final two games of 2022-23 and be loud and proud about the Nashville Predators and the positive directions they’re going in.