Nashville Predators' fans got a treat Sunday night with the debut of forward Matthew Wood. He signed an entry-level-deal late last month and hasn't looked back since. Even though Nashville couldn't come out victorious with Wood in the lineup, it set the stage for the future of Honky-Tonk.
Wood followed his NHL debut with another game against the New York Islanders, and got his first taste of NHL victory while logging 11:01 of ice time and one shot on goal.
The 6'5", 205lbs winger recorded one shot in his 20 shifts with over 13 minutes of ice time. He shared the ice with fellow linemates Michael McCarron and Cole Smith. He played a strong on the 5-on-5 and rarely gave up the puck. When he was put on the power play, he took the role of playmaker and fed many good passes to his teammates. Overall, Wood had an excellent NHL debut, and fans should look forward to his future performances.
Wood Caught Up with His Opponents, Was Durable on the Ice
Despite his stature and build, NHL scouts had their worries when it came to his physicality and skating. However, Sunday's performance blew those worries out of the water. It became hard sometimes to realize that there is an NHL first timer on the ice. Wood blended right in with the crowd and played the puck smoothly.
As mentioned, Wood managed to get himself some power play time. Assistant Coach Todd Richards gave the former golden gopher a spot on the second unit. He took control of the puck and made some dishes to his linemates. He made a few shot attempts around the net, but they were blocked by the Canadiens' defense.
When it came to his ability to stay in the game, he was more than enough. On the video broadcast, there was a point in time when the camera lost track of Wood due to how unpredictable he was. He managed to stay at the same pace of speedy players like Cole Caufield. With Nashville's main core consisting of grizzled veterans, adding some speed doesn't hurt.
We Should Expect to See Wood More Frequently
It has become quite apparent that Nashville is relying on their youth to pitch up the scoring. With the introduction of Wood into the lineup, the Predators now have the second most NHL debuts in the league this season with six. GM Barry Trotz new Wood had potential and gave him the shot to prove himself in the national. His 20 shifts are a pretty large amount for a rookie, especially a league first timer. When Wood was put to the test, he responded back twice as hard.
Not only did he play well individually, but he also played well as a linemate. The combination of Big Sexy, Smitty, and Wood is something to behold. With an average height of 6'4", we have a brick wall on the ice. If Coach Brunette keeps the three together, it very well be one of the league's sturdiest lines.
Wood is the most hyped Nashville debut since Joakim Kemell. Fans rarely get to see somebody of such caliber touch the ice for the first time. Nashville should be very excited for what they have to look forward to. Wood's growth is impressive enough and there's still so much for him to learn.