After another solid performance against the Detroit Red Wings, young Tommy Novak earns the praise of head coach John Hynes.
The Nashville Predators' 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings last night was certainly not sixty minutes of the team's best hockey. Still, the Preds were able to earn two points and keep themselves in the playoff conversation. It is no small feat for a team that has seen significant roster changes between moves made at the trade deadline and injuries to key players. Seven players in last night's line up started their season with the Milwaukee Admirals and three started the season with different teams entirely.
The major pivot David Poile and Barry Trotz made at the trade deadline by admitting the team as it was was not going to be a Cup contender was the inpetus for new opportunities for a number of young players. Tommy Novak joined the Predators back in mid December before all these changes were made, and he has slowly been earning more ice time and responsibility for an evolving team. Now that the team is headed in a new direction, he has been an encouraging storyline for a franchise whose future is still uncertain.
After Novak scored the game winning goal against the Red Wings - his second game winner in the last two games - John Hynes was asked about the 25 year old forward's growth.
While the Predators are 7-2-1 in their last ten games and have a path to make the playoffs, it will be no easy feat for Novak and the rest of the roster. Nashville has the second hardest strength of schedule through the end of the regular season. While Novak understands the challenges the team has faced and will face moving forward, he and the team hope to find ways to get wins.
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