It feels like for this season, the Nashville Predators were a team that couldn't find themselves. Were they tough, skilled, fast, frantic? At some point it stopped mattering, and fans were just begging for the Predators to get it together.
Saturday night against the Minnesota Wild, they got it together in a big way when they posted a 6-2 win. They fought three times, came back from giving up the first goal, put up a season high in goals, and tied their season long win streak.
They Stared The Wild Dead In The Eyes And Didn't Blink
This was a game that a low ranked team like the Predators easily could've let get out of control. A team with less fortitude and less veterans likely would've. The Minnesota Wild were gunning for Zachary L'Heureux based off his hit that sidelined Wild captain Jared Spurgeon. The NHL deemed it a slewfoot and suspended for 3 games. Now, L'Heureux is a hardnose player with a bit of a reputation coming from juniors and that resulted in a dangerous play.
Some teams would let L'Heureux fend for himself but not the Predators. They showed up to battle, and after L'Heureux answered the bell, both Luke Schenn and Mark Jankowski fought as well. Yes you're reading that right, Janko fought someone. It's just his 2nd NHL fight (1st since 2018!) and only 4th pro fight overall.
They let the rookie stand up for himself, but they kept the Wild honest and then some. That kept the hitting down (15 and 16 for the Preds and Wild respectively.) This allowed Fil to be Fil.
The Stars Are Officially Burning
Filip Forsberg scored 4 points (2 goals 2 assists) and brought his total to 42 points (15 goals 27 assists) on the year, and is on a 7 game point streak, and has scored in 11 of his last 13 games. He's continuing his excellent play from last season.
Steven Stamkos has 4 goals in his last 3 games, and his now the team leader with 16 total. His adjustment from the heart and soul of the Lightning to Predators sniper has been a difficult one, as you can imagine someone who played elsewhere for 16 seasons might. He looks to have turned the proverbial corner.
Roman Josi is doing what he does, and is the model of offensive consistency. He's now in the top 30 all time of NHL defenseman in terms of points, and will only continue assulating his way up the record books, and entering legit Hall of Fame discussions soon.
Then there's Jonathan Marchessault, who is also on an 8 game points streak, and has asserted himself as a leader and continued to prove that he's legit as they come, and that Vegas was wrong to cast one of their original misfits aside.
This Is Their Unifying Event
Last year it was a skipped U2 concert. This year, it is a legitimate battle against a division foe that was out for blood. The Predators drew more blood than the Wild and it is a guarentee that everyone in that locker room was fired up post game.
This is the moment. If they are going to go on a run it starts right now.