It was a strong team effort up and down the lineup, but here are the three stars in Nashville's 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
It was a strong team effort up and down the lineup, but here are the three stars in Nashville's 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers.
On October 17, the Nashville Predators lost their first game against Leon Draisaitl, Connor McDavid, and the Edmonton Oilers at Bridgestone Arena by a score of 6-1. On Saturday, the Predators exacted a measure of revenge with a 5-2 win in Rogers Place. It was a solid performance from the entire Predators team, but here are the three stars of the game.
First Star: Ryan O'Reilly - Hat trick, four points
Ryan O'Reilly aka "The Factor" has been a factor for the Nashville Predators in each of their first eleven games, and today's performance in Edmonton resulted in a hat trick and four points. His assist came on Filip Forsberg's wraparound goal to tie the game at one apiece. O'Reilly scored his first goal by battling net front with Darnell Nurse for position and tapped a rebound in to give Nashville their first lead of the game.
His second goal of the game gave Edmonton a taste of their own medicine as he snuck down on the off side to receive a quick cross ice pass from Filip Forsberg to shoot the puck past Campbell. That was the same power play move that Leon Draisaitl burned the Predators on back in October.
O'Reilly's final goal was really two goals that only counted as one. The official hat trick goal was initially missed in a net front flurry, but after O'Reilly scored on a slot shot just seconds later, the officials credited O'Reilly with the first shot that upon review clearly went in the net at 8:22.
Today's performance by "The Factor" was impressive not just because of its quantity but also because of the quality. O'Reilly outworked his opponents, won 16 of 19 face-offs, and his line with Forsberg and Gustav Nyquist dominated possession when they were on the ice.
Second Star: Kevin Lankinen - Stopped 33 of 35 shots
Giving Kevin Lankinen his second start of the season against the likes of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl was a surprising move by head coach Andrew Brunette, but one that paid off. Lankinen played fine in his Halloween start against the Vancouver Canucks, but in today's game he was great. Lankinen looked cool and calm in net and didn't allow any goals at five on five. Even under pressure from two extended offensive zone stretches by the Oilers, Lankinen didn't lose his focus and kept Edmonton off the board.
It was a confident performance by 28-year-old Lankinen who, in the words of Andrew Brunette, has been "pissed off" that he hasn't been playing. Lankinen channeled those big feelings into a terrific performance against players and a team that can generate dangerous offensive pressure. Having a goaltending duo that can be relied on in net against potential offensive powerhouses should give the Predators confidence.
Third Star: Filip Forsberg - One goal, three points
Forsberg has been Nashville's points leader but has only scored one goal until Saturday's game. While the stat sheet may seem sparse in the "G" column, the chances Forsberg has been generating in the first ten games of the season have not been.
Forsberg's goal against the Oilers was key not just because of style points — it was a flawlessly executed wraparound goal — but also because it was a quick answer back after the Oilers scored their first goal of the game. Less than a minute after Darnell Nurse scored on the power play, Forsberg got Nashville right back in the game and interrupted any momentum the Oilers could generate off their power play success.
Forsberg also assisted on both of Ryan O'Reilly's goals. They have been playing together since day one of training camp and it is evident that those two great hockey minds are thinking alike.
Honorable Mentions: Tommy Novak, Alexandre Carrier, and Marc Del Gaizo
Tommy Novak just continues to do Tommy Novak things with a breakaway score that gave Nashville back their two goal lead in the second period. It was Novak's sixth goal of the season, and he earned his third assist of the season on Ryan O'Reilly's power play goal. The line of Novak, Evangelista, and Sherwood has great chemistry and could continue to be a game changing line for the Predators.
Alexandre Carrier finished the game with two assists. With the exception of his penalty that ended a second period Nashville power play early, Carrier played a solid game up and down the ice. He made the necessary adjustments to play without his usual defensive partner Ryan McDonagh who left the ice early in warmups due to a lingering lower body injury. Carrier shifted to play with Jeremy Lauzon and didn't miss a beat.
Finally, this game was defenseman Marc Del Gaizo's NHL debut. What was impressive about Del Gaizo's game was what he did and what he didn't do. Del Gaizo played well and recorded his first NHL point on Filip Forberg's goal, but almost as impressive was that he didn't come in and try to change his game. Del Gaizo had a standout training camp, and when it came time to play his first NHL game, he played exactly how Nashville needed him to against an offensively minded team.
The Predators will have little time to relish the win over the Oilers as they travel to Calgary to take on the Flames Tuesday night.