Five Standouts from Nashville Predators Preseason OT Loss to Lightning

1. Forsberg Returns to Game Action for First Time Since February

No one should be surprised or alarmed that Filip Forsberg had some rust in his preseason debut, and first live game action since February 11 when he suffered a head injury.

Forsberg had open space and even had seven shots on goal, good to lead the team. His accuracy and timing were a bit off, but the space and opportunities were there playing on a line with Ryan O’Reilly and Denis Gurianov as Nashville’s top line.

Interesting choice to put Gurianov, who was acquired in free agency this past summer, on the top line with O’Reilly and Forsberg. Either way, the line produced 12 shots on goal, with O’Reilly being held without a shot on goal.

Forsberg also tallied an assist on Nashville’s lone goal, coming from Thomas Novak who was third on the Predators in points in 2022-23 with 43.

As much criticism as Forsberg gets for being overpaid, this wasn’t a bad opening preseason game from him. It would’ve been much more concerning if Forsberg was held as a non-factor altogether, but instead he did work his way into the game and showed some speed in the transition style of Brunette’s new system.

2. Novak Tallies Only Predators Goal, Gets Time on the Top Power Play Unit

Novak is a major x-factor to whether or not the Nashville Predators show vast improvement in their offensive scoring abilities. Former Head Coach John Hynes was criticized for limiting players’ offensive skillsets, and now he’s gone with Brunette being tasked with unlocking that peak potential.

It’s completely unclear where Novak is going to slot into the lineup, but we do know he’ll be somewhere in the starting lineup. Most likely at center, although he can play wing if needed, but whether he plays his way into the top-six or starts as a depth bottom-six player is up for debate.

Novak showcased his accuracy with this goal on the set up pass from Tyson Barrie, who was quarterbacking the play as the defenseman at the point. A flashy wrister with perfect accuracy beat Tampa Bay goaltender Matt Tomkins.

Tomkins had no real chance at denying this Novak goal, unless he was just going to get lucky. Aside from that, Tomkins saw the puck well as a former 7th Round pick from the 2012 draft who has never started an NHL regular season game.

Novak also get the nod on the Predators top power play unit, which has also been the topic of speculation on how Brunette will build those lines. Novak was on a top unit with Forsberg, O’Reilly, Barrie and Roman Josi.

3. Askarov Gets the Nod in Crunch Time for the Predators

Juuse Saros started the game and looked much better than his brief action in the doubleheader versus the Panthers. After Saros exited, the keys were turned over to Yaroslav Askarov in a low-scoring game.

This was an excellent time for Askarov to enter the game and get some experience in crunch time, even if it was against Tampa’s “C” squad.

Askarov held his own until the overtime period when the Predators took an untimely penalty to put the Lightning on a 4-on-3 power play. Not an easy situation to be in when you’re working in a new roster, and predictably, the Lightning got one past Askarov.

This was Askarov’s second appearance of the preseason, with him registering nine saves and surrendering zero goals against the Panthers. In this one, Askarov makes 10 saves on 11 shots and brings his running preseason total to 19 saves on 20 shots faced.

Askarov should likely get at least one more start over the last three preseason games remaining for the Predators.

4. An Off Night for Glass, Who Takes the Overtime Penalty

Glass is in line to be a top-six center and vital piece to the Predators returning to the postseason in 2024. He had somewhat of a breakout year in 2022-23 and his comeback path to this important spot in the Predators lineup has been inspiring to watch.

This was an off night for Glass, simple as that. This is what preseason is for. To identify things to work on before the games start to count.

Glass took two minor penalties in this game, including one in the offensive zone, which shortly after led to the Lightning getting the power play goal and first score of the game on a mini breakaway from Maxim Groshev, a 2020 3rd Round pick by the Lightning.

The other penalty is the one you really have to avoid if you’re Glass. A tripping penalty in overtime. If this is a regular season game and you’re fighting for every point in the standings, this is one you simply can’t take. Especially in the form of a trip.

It’s one thing to take necessary penalties within the game to prevent a sure goal or respond to a bad hit to take back some momentum. You can’t take tripping penalties in overtime.

Glass will bounce back. The guy is a student of the game and he’ll bounce back in his next preseason action correcting those mishaps.

5. Nyquist Finding his Place and Role in Predators Lineup

It’s kind of gone under the radar on what Nyquist could potentially mean for this Predators lineup. It wasn’t the high profile free agency pickup that O’Reilly or Luke Schenn were, but Nyquist is a seasoned veteran who is looking to provide stability and leadership to players like Glass, Novak and Philip Tomasino.

Nyquist slotted in on the second line with Glass at center and Tomasino on the other wing. If this is the second line on opening night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, I won’t be mad about it. I’m interested to see if Brunette rolls this line out one more time in the preseason, because there’s potential here.

Glass also stated to the Predators flagship station 102.5 The Game that he is excited to be learning from a veteran like Nyquist and sees potential in playing alongside him.

Nyquist has 703 games of NHL experience, joining O’Reilly’s 991 career games and Schenn’s 933 career games. To put that into perspective, that’s 2,627 NHL games added from just three players this past offseason through free agency by General Manager Barry Trotz.

In some ways, you’re hoping that Nyquist can be a much better replacement to Mikael Granlund, O’Reilly can fill the void of Matt Duchene, and Schenn can fill the void of losing Mattias Ekholm to a trade.

Next up in the preseason is this Saturday with the Nashville Predators traveling down to Tampa Bay. There should be some different lineups from both teams, and the Lightning will probably feature more of their star players like Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point and Steven Stamkos.

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