How Predators Managed Late Push by Jets: "We Felt Comfortable in Our Game"
The Nashville Predators saw a third period three goal lead quickly become a one goal game against the Winnipeg Jets, but the Preds managed to stick to their game plan and earn their fifth straight win.
The Nashville Predators faced another tough challenge Sunday night as they welcomed the Winnipeg Jets to Bridgestone Arena. Both teams entered the Central Division game riding win streaks — the Jets had won five games in a row, the Predators four. Nashville ultimately won by a score of 3-2, but those two Jets' goals came quickly and threatened to change the momentum and outcome of a solid Predators performance.
Josh Morrissey put his own rebound in the net halfway through the third period, and then less than a minute later the Jets scored a quick power play goal. The two quick scores tested Nashville's resiliency as the momentum shifted in Winnipeg's favor, but a message on the bench and the lessons the team has learned in the first part of the season helped the Predators hang on and get the 3-2 win.
"Obviously, there's a bit of momentum there," Ryan McDonagh said of those quick goals by the Jets. "Fortunately, we had the three goals and still had the lead. That's what we told everybody on the bench, we still have the lead."
"You still got to play the same way."
Head coach Andrew Brunette addressed that moment in the game during his post game media.
"We knew we'd get back to our game. I think we felt comfortable in our game for the most part of the game. I thought we defended well without the puck through the neutral zone. They're arguably the best rush team in the league right now, so I thought we did a good job limiting their opportunities. In the offensive zone, I think we kept the puck."
The Predators haven't always been able to bounce back in moments like those two quick goals in last night's game. It's something the team has been working on through this stretch of hockey. The four game losing streak and now these five wins in a row have taught the team about resiliency.
"I think they stick with it," Brunette said when asked what the team has learned recently. "They show that little resiliency. The games are hard. There's no easy game in the league. If you let your foot off the gas or you don't manage it different times, you chase it."
"We've done a good job of understanding that."