Nashville won an emotional game at home against the St. Louis Blues with standout performances by Luke Evangelista, Tommy Novak, and Juuse Saros.
Nashville won an emotional game at home against the St. Louis Blues with standout performances by Luke Evangelista, Tommy Novak, and Juuse Saros.
The Nashville Predators took the ice this afternoon at Bridgestone Arena against the 35-34-6 St. Louis Blues. The Predators are still clinging to a small chance at a wildcard spot, but today's game was about much more than two points in the standings as the team and community came together before the game to acknowledge the tragedy this week at The Covenant School in Nashville.
Today another young player made his NHL debut for the Nashville Predators as defenseman Spencer Stastney joined the team for today's game. Stastney replaced Jeremy Lauzon who was out of the lineup due to injury.
Game Recap
The Predators got on the board early with a beautiful backhand pass by Luke Evangelista to Tommy Novak who lifted the puck past Thomas Greiss at 4:46. Just a minute later the Predators earned the first power play of the game due to a cross checking infraction. A recently struggling Nashville power play finally got back on track as Cody Glass tipped Tommy Novak's shot in the net at 7:20.
At 14:28 Cole Smith and Sammy Blais headed to their respective penalty boxes after a dust up that resulted in a two minute Blues power play. Nashville's penalty kill went to work and didn't allow a shot on goal. With just over two minutes remaining in the period, Tyler Pitlick headed to the sin bin for boarding, and Nashville's power play took the ice for the second time. This time the Predators couldn't capitalize on the man advantage, and the teams headed to the locker rooms with Nashville leading 2-0.
The Preds started the second period with two quality chances on Griess, but the momentum was interrupted when Kiefer Sherwood was called for holding at 4:13. Saros made two big saves to keep the Blues off the board. Five on five play was brief as Sherwood headed back to the box for tripping at 7:18. Colton Sissons interrupted a pass and took the puck all the way down the ice to score shorthanded at 7:36 giving Nashville the 3-0 lead.
With just :20 seconds remaining on the penalty kill, Kevin Gravel was called for a cross check. Ryan McDonagh, Dante Fabbro, and Colton Sissons managed the brief five on three with spot on goaltending from Saros, and Bridgestone roared their appreciation as the penalty expired. The line of Novak, Evangelista, and Sherwood struck again at 13:27 as Evangelista tapped the loose puck past Greiss to give Nashville a 4-0 lead.
The Blues pushed back as the period wound down evening up the shot count and pressuring Saros with extended zone time. Nashville' goaltender made a handful of otherworldly saves. A slashing call sent Sammy Blais to the penalty box at 17:29. It appeared Kiefer Sherwood scored the second power play goal of the game, but a St. Louis coach's challenge reversed the call on the ice due to the puck being played with a high stick. the period expired with Nashville leading 4-0.
The final period began with Cody Glass hitting the crossbar on an early shot. The Predators trapped a tired Blues group on the ice with extended offensive zone time, but Greiss was finally able to corral the puck and get his team a change. St. Louis finally got on the board at 8:36 as a shot by Calle Rosen slipped through the five hole to make it 4-1.
Pesky Yakov Trenin gave Nashville their four goal lead back after intercepting a pass in the offensive zone and tapping it past Greiss and off the skate of a defender at 11:49. The Predators went back on the power play at 17:19 as Jake Neighbours headed to the box for tripping. Phil Tomasino chipped in the second official power play goal of the game, and the Predators saluted the fans as they celebrated a 6-1 victory.
Game Notes
1. Juuse Saros is playing some of his best hockey of the season. After two terrific performances against Boston and Pittsburgh, Saros came out today and played another Vezina caliber game.
2. The line of Novak, Sherwood, and Evangelista continues to impress. The trio combined for 8 points in today's game. The silver lining to losing veterans to injuries and trades is getting a chance to see these young players playing consistent NHL minutes.
3. Nashville got the power play back on track. After struggling to capitalize on the man advantage lately, the Predators were able to score two power play goals in the game today. Executing on the power play will be important as the Predators hope to claw their way into the postseason with upcoming games against top teams.
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Today's Predators game is About More Than Hockey
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