The Nashville Predators got back in the win column with a much-needed victory in a big way.
The Nashville Predators got back in the win column with a much-needed victory in a big way.
The Nashville Predators really needed a win and they got one in a big way. The team had lost five of their last six and only got three points out of those games. They were also coming into their latest game against the Utah Hockey Club on a three-game losing streak.
After the home game the Predators just played, what happens on their upcoming five-game road trip will determine a lot of what is going to happen this season and whether or not Barry Trotz is going to act and make necessary changes.
Before heading on the road trip, the Predators left home on a high note, winning 4-0 against Utah where everything seemed to finally go right.
The Predators are 5-9-1 on the season and aren't last in the league anymore. This record, while it may be bad, is still better than what it was through 15 games last season. The team started 5-10-0 in 2023-24 and turned it around to make the playoffs once everyone got used to the new system and the group figured it out as a team.
There's reason to worry a bit, but not time to panic just yet. If the road trip starts with a couple of losses or Nashville can't come back home with more points than games played, then it is time to start thinking options as it would take the Predators to the quarter mark of the season.
Special teams has surprisingly not been something the Predators have needed to worry about despite the poor record. They are second on the penalty kill in the NHL at 90.6% (2-2 in their last win) and 10th on the power play with a 23.1% (2-4 in last win).
Both Filip Forsberg and Jonathan Marchessault led a struggling offense with two goals each as we know both can do. But not to be forgotten, Roman Josi got on the scoresheet a couple of times with two assists, both on the power play, as well.
Juuse Saros, despite playing well the majority of the games, has only won four of his 12 starts. Two of those starts have been shutouts, so that's been what it has taken for him and the team to get wins through a tough start to the season.
It is a good sign to see the career point-per-game player Steven Stamkos continue producing points as he is someone who has to continue improving as he gets more comfortable in Nashville. He also recorded an assist.
The Predators have a good opportunity to get their offense going against teams who haven't necessarily played well or kept the puck out of their net very well. We'll see where Nashville stands after firing off games against the Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Seattle Kraken.
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