It was a four game week for the Predators who split their games and took time to reflect on the season so far.
It was a four game week for the Predators who split their games and took time to reflect on the season so far.
It was a busy seven days in Smashville as the Nashville Predators faced two Central Division teams and two Metropolitan teams and came away with a 2-2 record on the week.
Games and Takeaways
Nashville started off their four game week against former Predator Nino Niederreiter and the Winnipeg Jets. The last time the two teams met on November 9 the Jets decisively won 6-3. This time the Predators were able to come away with two important Central Division points.
Predators - 3, Jets - 2: Roman Josi's Three Point Night, Saros' Key Saves Help Preds Hold Off Jets
How Predators Managed Late Push by Jets: "We Felt Comfortable in Our Game"
Head coach Andrew Brunette played 11 forwards and seven defensemen in three of this week's four games to help ease Luke Schenn back into the lineup.
Predators Lineup Decision Against Jets Cost Nashville Nothing
Team Credits McCarron and Strong Third Period for Win Over Penguins
After a six game win streak, the Predators faced Central Division rival Minnesota led by former Predators head coach John Hynes who was named head coach of the Wild earlier in the week. What could have been a seventh win was a disastrous let down game for the Predators at home.
Predators - 1, Wild -6: John Hynes' Wild Trounce Predators as Connor Dewar Scores Hat Trick
Nashville didn't have time to dwell on the loss for long and set their sites on looking ahead to another two games over the weekend.
Predators Practice Report: Now Dwelling on Negativity
Predators - 3, Rangers - 4: Josi, Sissons, and O'Reilly Score But Rangers Outlast Predators
Predators Liked Their Response But Not the Result in Game Against the Rangers
Reffing and Reflections
This week was not without a controversial call or two.
How Controversial Was the Overtime "No Call" in Predators Win Over Penguins?
The Predators were not happy about a hit on Alexandre Carrier in the Wild game that didn't get a second look from the officials or NHL Player Safety.
Predators Not Happy with Kirill Kaprizov's Hit on Alexandre Carrier: "It Was a Little Predatory"
The hit resulted in Carrier being listed as week-to-week with an upper body injury and the Predators recalling defenseman Spencer Stastney from Milwaukee.
After Carrier Injury, Preds Recall Spencer Stastney
This week marked the first quarter of the NHL season, and the Predators took some time to reflect on what the team has learned over their first twenty games.
Predators Describe First Twenty Games in Three Words: Growth, Resiliency, and Commitment
Players of Note
Nashville had some standout performances worth acknowledging this week beginning with Juuse Saros receiving league wide accolades.
Juuse Saros Named One of NHL's Three Stars of the Week
Saros and two "OG" Preds have been outstanding for the team recently, and this was a trio Barry Trotz was counting for Nashville's roster reset.
The Nashville Predators' OG Core Is Cooking
It wasn't just top line guys who played important roles for the Preds in their games this week. Nashville has been getting impressive performances from a trio of players that may have been overlooked in the past.
Cole Smith, Michael McCarron, and Phil Tomasino Bringing Another Dimension to Predators' Games
The Predators wrapped up this week with an 11-12 record as they prepare for another four game week ahead.