Predators Lead Conference, Division After Comeback Win Over Jets

The two best Central Division teams finally met after weeks of battling with the number one spot. The Predators rallied and came away with a win.

The Nashville Predators continued their dominant season with a solid month of February. They finished the month with a 10-2-2 record. They’re currently on a hot streak, winning their last five games. That matches their longest win streak of the season dating back to January 6th – January 20th.

Like always, winning pays off eventually. Because of their dominant February, they now lead the Central Division by four points. But, they had to beat their rival who’s been hot on their trail to get there: the Winnipeg Jets.

Nashville battled Winnipeg on Wednesday night, and from the start, it was a spectacular game. Right off the bat, newly acquired forward Ryan Hartman had some decent opportunities near the net, but couldn’t capitalize. The Jets saved themselves from a potentially-disastrous first period by getting in the shooting lanes. The Preds, of course, relied heavily on Pekka Rinne to contain a hot Jets offense.

The game finally picked up in the second period, as the Jets tried to run away from the Predators. But, they refused to go away. There were a combined seven goals scored in the second period alone. The majority went to the Jets with a 4-3 split.

The Predators went into the third period not having a single lead. Of course, though, as you’d expect, they didn’t lose faith. The Jets took a 5-3 lead in the third period, but the Predators rallied it back to tie it at 5. Then, you guessed it, Ryan Hartman finished the job with a deflection goal from Roman Josi with one minute remaining to eventually give his new team the win.

That game-winning goal came from defenseman Roman Josi, who had a monster game. Josi assisted on five of the six Nashville goals. Including this beauty.

This win not only gives the Nashville a small, but significant, four-point lead in the division, but it gives the Predators a lead in the Western Conference. Due to a Predators win and a Vegas Golden Knights loss on Wednesday night versus the Los Angeles Kings, the Predators now own the number one spot in the conference. The Predators own the spot because they’ve played fewer games than Vegas. However, both teams currently have 87 points.

Neither the Predators or Knights play again in the month of February, so the conference lead will last long enough for Predators fans to enjoy it. It’s possible that the Predators could maintain this lead, but they’d have to continue winning and hope for a few more Vegas losses to give themselves a cushion.

The Predators face the Jets two more times this season: March 13th and March 25th. But they do not meet the Knights anymore. These next four weeks will make a crucial difference in the Central Division, and that will likely determine who has the best shot at contending Vegas for the Western Conference.