Nashville Predators: Preds end week strong with two straight big wins

The Nashville Predators began the week with a disappointing loss but ended the week with two straight commanding wins. Here is the recap of last week!

The Nashville Predators headed into last week with a 2-0-0 record and had three games during the course of the week to improve their win total. After a loss to the Calgary Flames to open the week up, the Predators finished it off with two demanding wins behind some impressive offense and great play in goal.

With that, here is a recap of the previous week for the Predators, including game recaps, stars of the week, and a preview of the week ahead!

Game Recaps

3-0 Loss to the Calgary Flames

The Predators suffered their first loss of the year at the hands of the Calgary Flames during their home opener. The home opener received a ton of hate with the banners and the play of the team.

The storyline in this game is that the Flames were able to convert on their power play, while the Predators were not. The Flames converted on two of their power plays, while the Predators came up empty on all four of their opportunities.

Elias Lindholm gave Calgary the 1-0 lead just four minutes into the game on a power-play goal, sneaking the puck past Pekka Rinne. Sean Monahan increased their lead, as he scored the next two goals for the Flames to give them a 3-0 win.

3-0 Win against the Winnipeg Jets

The Nashville Predators looked like a totally different team on Thursday night, as they hosted their divisional rival, the Winnipeg Jets. Rinne got another chance in net for the Predators, hoping for a different outcome than the one on Tuesday night. Although it was an early season matchup, this was a huge game for the Predators, giving them some early leverage in a tough Central Division.

It took both teams a little while to get going, as it took until the second period for a team to get on the board. The Predators took an early lead thanks to a breakaway goal from Ryan Hartman just three minutes into the quarter.

Nashville increased their lead to two goals when Roman Josi snuck it past Connor Hellebuyck, while Ryan Johansen put the game out of reach just seven minutes later, giving the Predators a 3-0 win.

5-2 Win against the New York Islanders

The Nashville Predators used a very strong start in the first period to give them a commanding lead, a lead they kept for the rest of the game.

They were able to score three goals in a span of five minutes to give them a 3-0 lead at the end of the first period. Calle Jarnkrok got the Predators on the board first after a nifty pass from Nick Bonino. The Predators scored just over a minute later on a Filip Forsberg goal, assisted from Viktor Arvidsson and Johansen.

Arvidsson scored with just 10 seconds left in the first period on a shot that looked the exact same as the one he made a week before in New York. Juuse Saros allowed two goals to sneak through after some bad defense by the Predators, as the Islanders cut it to 3-2.

Kyle Turris ended the Predators woes on the power play, as he was able to score their first power play goal of the year five minutes into the third period. Forsberg scored his second of the night on an empty net goal, giving the Predators a 5-2 win.

Stars of the Week

3rd Star of the Week – Ryan Johansen – 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists)

Johansen showed up for the Predators this week, totaling three of his four points during the week. He picked up his first goal of the year, as he extended the Predators lead to three goals during the Jets game.

Johansen then picked up two assists during the Predators 5-2 win on Saturday night, assisting on Forsbergs and Arvidsson’s goals at the end of the first period.

2nd Star of the Week – Viktor Arvidsson – 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists)

For the second straight week, Arvidsson is on the stars of the week. He suffered a scare early in the home opener on Tuesday, as he took a puck to the face, but he returned to action later in the game. Arvidsson assisted on Johansen’s goal during the Jets game to give the Predators a 3-0 lead.

He then picked up an assist on Forsberg’s goal near the end of the first period of the Islanders game on Saturday night. He extended the Predators lead to three goals just three minutes later to score his third goal of the year, ending yet another successful week.

1st Star of the Week – Filip Forsberg – 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist)

As you can tell, the JoFA line had an amazing week. They were a huge part of the Predators two wins to end the week off.

Like Arvidsson, Forsberg picked up his assist on Johansen’s goal against the Jets. He then scored his second goal of the year on Saturday night, giving them a 2-0 lead late in the first quarter. He scored his second goal of the game on an empty net goal to give the Predators the 5-2 win.

Upcoming Games this Week

Minnesota Wild – Monday, October 15 

The Nashville Predators will have their fourth home game in a row as they host a Central Division foe, the Minnesota Wild.

The Wild head into this game with a 1-1-2 record and are fifth in the Central Division.

@ Calgary Flames – Friday, October 19th

The Predators will have a chance to avenge their loss to the Flames when they head on the road. They will have a good little break in action before they head on the road to Calgary.

The Flames will have a home game against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday night before hosting the Nashville Predators on Friday night.

@ Edmonton Oilers – Saturday, October 20th

The Predators will turn around and head to Edmonton, facing the Oilers the next night. The Predators will get their first chance of the year to face off against one of the best players in the game, Connor McDavid, who has given the Predators fits for years.

The Oilers will head on the road on Tuesday in a matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. They will then host the Bruins on Thursday night before facing the Predators on Saturday.