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Nashville Predators Key Stat Leaders: Forsberg Charges Offense, McDonagh's Defense

Over a quarter of the way through 2023-24, here's an update on Preds Stat Leaders

By Max Greenberg

Nov 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates
Nov 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Filip Forsberg (9) celebrates / Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) skates
Oct 28, 2023; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) skates / Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive point shares: Ryan McDonagh, Roman Josi, and Alexandre Carrier

As with the previous stat, this one is an estimate of the number of points a player contributes due to his defense, and right off the bat, there is no surprise who is at the top of this list. Josi and Ryan McDonagh are tied with a DPS of 1.1, but the other who has the same DPS is Alexandre Carrier.

Let's talk about what a great year McDonagh has had so far. Last year for whatever reason, there were lots of times when he was struggling to fit with the team and just not what he was expected to be, but this season he has been near flawless.

McDonagh has done super well and in particular, doing what he does best, which is being a lights-out defenseman. His offensive game has also been far from bad this year, as he has a goal and eight assists in 20 games, and has had several good passes up the ice in transition.

Josi does not need much of an explanation because we all know him so well, but Carrier has played very well in a contract year. He has a goal and seven assists in 23 games, and his defense especially has been super sturdy and stifled the opposition.

How well he has contributed on both ends of the ice is reflective of him being known as someone with strong two-way abilities.

If there were anything surprising from this, it would be that McDonagh is not slightly ahead of Josi in DPS. McDonagh is known for pure defense while offense is a way bigger part of Josi's game, and as those two get more time as a pairing, the DPS stat might shift a bit more in McDonagh's favor.

But Josi too is strong on defense, and considering that this stat measures how many points come from defense, it is not a big surprise that he and McDonagh are close. It will continue to be pretty close between both of them and likely Carrier as well, who is having a great year himself.

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