Predators' Top Line is Elite Once Again
The top line of the Nashville Predators is once again leading the team.
Predators' Top Line is Elite Once AgainThe Nashville Predators are very fortunate to have been able to assemble the top line of Filip Forsberg, Ryan O'Reilly, and Gustav Nyquist last season. Not only did it give the team a legitimate line to be able to contest any group on the other team, they are great at both ends of the ice.
A big part in what drives success on a team is chemistry. The top line has that and Barry Trotz was able to bring in two veteran free agents to fit into the lineup perfectly. While O'Reilly and Nyquist wouldn't be top line players on many teams, their effectiveness as a line with Forsberg and their two-way ability help create a top-10 top line in the NHL in terms of expected goals percentage.
Being able to trust a line and keep them together through even rough patches is so important. Andrew Brunette and the coaching staff knows what the three players are going to give every shift and how much they've proven together.
The forward group did not look great on paper last season, but Forsberg, O'Reilly, and Nyquist quieted a lot of the doubt by carrying the team offensively and making up for it. Now that the Predators have Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault as unquestionable top-6 players on the team as well, there is a little support provided after the top line.
Brunette mentioned that he didn't believe it mattered to the top line who was playing behind them; the three players would want to dominate and prove they are the best line in the league.
Forsberg, O'Reilly, and Nyquist haven't disappointed yet as they rank sixth among forward lines in xGoals % with 68.7% with a minimum of 50 minutes on the ice together this season.
The Predators' line has 4.6 expected goals and only 2.1 expected goals against with 4.15 expected goals for per 60 minutes and 1.89 expected goals against per 60 minutes. The only other line on Nashville with at least 25 minutes together is Stamkos, Marchessault, and Colton Sissons and they have just 1.6 xGF and 1 xGA for a 61.5 xGoals %.
When the top line of the Predators starts burying the puck at a higher rate, Nashville is going to skyrocket up the standings. Same goes with the other three lines figuring it out as well. The team must take advantage of this stellar top line that doesn't come around too often at their price.
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