In a game that could have been all about big name players like Filip Forsberg and Connor Bedard, it was Nashville's depth players who played an important role in getting the Predators a much needed win Saturday afternoon.
Nashville needed a win on Saturday afternoon. The Predators had lost their last four games in disappointing fashion, and went into Saturday's game tied for last place in the Central Division with their opponent, the Chicago Blackhawks. With both teams desperately needing two points, it seemed likely to be a battle of the big names - Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Connor Bedard. While the Predators' top players had solid performances, depth players were key in getting the Preds back in the win column.
Yakov Trenin got the scoring started with a goal midway through the first period. Colton Sissons had a keep in as the Blackhawks tried to exit the zone, passed it to Trenin, and Trenin skated to the top of the circle to score on Arvid Soderblom. It was Trenin's first goal of the season but certainly not for lack of trying. Nashville's 2015 second round pick has generated quality offensive chances in his 15 games this season but hadn't been able to find the back of the net until today.
Trenin admitted after the game that it's been a tough stretch of hockey for him.
"It was a very hard spot for me mentally," Trenin said. "I just keep working. I was actually hoping next game, next game."
Trenin admitted he put a lot of pressure on himself to get on the scoresheet.
"At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if you are a power forward. You need to contribute and make points."
Saturday was Trenin's first game scoring any points this season. He scored his goal in the first period and earned as assist on Cole Smith's empty net goal.
Smith's empty net goal was his second score of the game Saturday. Smith scored in the second period just three minutes after the Blackhawks' Philipp Kurashev scored to narrow Nashville's lead to one. After a hard check against the boards, Smith circled around the front of the net and cleaned up a rebound to give the Predators their two goal lead back as the second period wound down.
Saturday was Smith's second multi-goal game of the season. While his second period goal may not have been pretty, Andrew Brunette appreciated his effort in front of the net.
"It's nice to see that gritty, greasy kind of goal go in," Brunette said. "We talk all the time, we'll get inside and get pucks in that area."
Another depth player Brunette called out for his play was Michael McCarron who played on a line with Smith and Phil Tomasino.
"They played another role where they were going to hound pucks," Brunette said of the Smith, McCarron, and Tomasino line.
"Big Mac was really good tonight. I thought he was all over the puck in the offensive zone," Brunette said. "They couldn't take it away from him."
New dad Gus Nyquist scored Nashville's other goal of the evening on a power play late in the first period. Nyquist's wife gave brith last night to the couple's third daughter.
There is still plenty the Predators need to address and clean up before they face former teammate Ryan Johansen and the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night, but it was an important win to get the team two big points after a tough stretch of losses.
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