Gus Nyquist and Filip Forsberg each had a multi-goal game and the Predators played closer to their identity but were unable to close out a game in Detroit when they needed a win.
Gus Nyquist and Filip Forsberg each had a multi-goal game and the Predators played closer to their identity but were unable to close out a game in Detroit when they needed a win.
The Nashville Predators traveled to Little Caesars Arena for their first game of a road back to back Friday night to face off against the Detroit Red Wings. This was a game both teams desperately wanted to win as the Preds and Red Wings were coming off of two consecutive losses. While the Predators earned one point, they weren't able to get the overtime win.
Top Line Production
Nashville's top line of Gus Nyquist, Ryan O'Reilly, and Filip Forsberg have each been important pieces in the Predators' stretches of success, but the month of December saw the trio's five on five production dip a bit. Before the Detroit game, Forsberg scored his last even strength goal back on December 3. O'Reilly has chipped in three power play goals this month, but his last score at five on five was on December 2. Nyquist scored an even strength goal on December 12 before scoring against Carolina Wednesday night.
That isn't to say that Nashville's best players haven't been productive. O'Reilly's power play goals and Forsberg's overtime goals were critical in Predators' wins. After seeing success in November, the Forsberg, O'Reilly, and Nyquist line has been a hot target for opposing teams, so it was encouraging to see Forsberg and Nyquist score at even strength last night.
That Saros Save
The game against Detroit won't do anything to improve Juuse Saros' stats. He allowed five goals on 23 shots and earned a .783 save percentage against the Red Wings. Saros faced goaltending challenges and allowed a shorthanded goal and a two on one score. He didn't receive much defensive support on Jake Walman's two goals that came as a result of cross ice passes and unchallenged shots. According to moneypuck.com, Saros finished the game with -1.57 goals saved above expected.
Despite the stats and the loss, the play everyone will be talking about when it comes to Saros is this incredible diving save that robbed Patrick Kane of a sure power play goal.
Saros is 1-3-1 in his last five starts, a far cry from his run of ten wins in eleven games from November 20 through December 16. The team in front of him hasn't been playing up to Andrew Brunette's expectations in recent games and Saros' .832 save percentage since December 19 has made it hard for the Predators to eke out wins.
Josi: Noted Enforcer
For just the third time in his career, captain Roman Josi dropped the gloves in a game. After a net front scrum, Alex DeBrincat and Roman Josi had the briefest of tussles resulting in a five minute fighting penalty for both. His last fight was just over four years ago against Mark Stone and his only other fisticuffs infraction was back in 2015 when Josi fought Brad Marchand.
Josi's fight won't make the highlight reel or score high marks on hockeyfights.com but is worth noting for its rarity.
Predators Hockey?
There was plenty to like about the game despite the overtime loss. Nashville outshot Detroit 37-23 and had the advantage in puck possession with a Corsi For of 57.39% compared to Detroit's 42.61%. Nashville also had the edge in expected goals for (4.24 to Detroit's 3.43). The Predators played a fast game and the shot map showed they were getting to the "hard areas" like Andrew Brunette talked about after recent losses.
The Predators did have trouble clearing the puck out of the defensive zone, and that has come back to haunt the team in several games recently. It was also another outing where the Preds went into the third period with a lead but were not able to hold onto it and get a regulation win.
Washington Tonight
The Predators don't have much time to bemoan the extra point they let slip away in Detroit as they take on the Washington Capitals tonight. Andrew Brunette will evaluate whether Kevin Lankinen will be healthy enough to start or if Yaroslav Askarov will play more NHL minutes in net.
The Predators and Capitals face off at 6:00 pm CT. Bally Sports South will broadcast the game, and 102.5 The Game will have the radio call.