Nashville, Tn — Things looked pretty bleak for the Nashville Predators tonight after the first intermission, trailing the lowly Vancouver Canucks, 2-0. With Nashville in a real battle for the central division title of the Western Conference, and the St. Louis Blues bearing down on the Preds, this game had real significance.
Not only does Nashville want to win their division, but they want home ice advantage throughout the Stanley Cup playoffs and it all seemed to be slipping away in this game tonight.
First, Markus Granlund backhanded the puck past Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne after taking a perfect pass from Quinn Hughes and the Canucks led 1-0.
Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen (92) and Nashville Predators right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) celebrate after scoring the game-winning goal past Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) as Vancouver Canucks defenseman Troy Stecher (51) reacts during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)
«Read the rest of this article»
April 2, 2019 |
Buffalo, NY — The Nashville Predators move back atop the central division with a win tonight against the Buffalo Sabres, 3-2.
Ryan Johansen scored the game winner and the Predators now sit atop the division, tied with the Winnipeg Jets in what looks to be a real dogfight to the finish, with two games remaining on the schedule.
At presstime, the Jets were trailing the Minnesota Wild, 4-1. The Nashville win puts them two points up on the St. Louis Blues who have been breathing down Nashville’s back for the last week.
Nashville Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne (35) looks to make a save during the second period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center. (Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports)
«Read the rest of this article»
Clarksville, Tn — The National Hockey League is racing to the finish line of their regular season schedule. The “second” season begins next week with the start of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Nashville Predators have a spot in those playoffs, yet as of this writing, we don’t know who or where they will play. It doesn’t matter, because Predators fans are RABID about their team even though their play of late hasn’t been too consistent.
Nashville Predators center Rocco Grimaldi (23) and Montreal Canadiens left wing Paul Byron (41) battle for the puck in front of goaltender Juuse Saros (74) during the first period at Bell Centre. (Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports)
«Read the rest of this article»
March 30, 2019 |
Nashville, Tn — The Nashville Predators were thumped by the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight in Nashville, 5-2. Columbus is fighting for a spot in the playoffs and played like their hockey lives depended on it tonight.
Scoring just fifty seconds into the contest, the Blue Jackets set the tone early and went on to dominate the Predators on their home ice.
Nashville is still tied with the Winnipeg Jets for first place in the central division of the Western Conference, but the St. Louis Blues posted a win tonight and inch to within two points of the leaders. The final week of the regular season is going to be a doozy.
Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) passes the puck from behind his net during the first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Bridgestone Arena. (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports)
«Read the rest of this article»
March 29, 2019 |
Pittsburgh, PA — The Nashville Predators defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins behind some stellar goaltending from Pekka Rinne tonight, 3-1.
The win avenges a loss to these Pens last week at Bridgestone Arena, as the Preds fell in a shootout.
Combined with a loss last night by the Winnipeg Jets, and a loss tonight by the St. Louis Blues, the Predators are still very much alive to win the central division of the Western Conference.
All facets of Nashville’s game were on point tonight, with exceptional defense and a power play goal by Viktor Arvidsson.
Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Matt Murray (30) makes a save against Nashville Predators right wing Craig Smith (15) during the second period at PPG PAINTS Arena. (Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)
«Read the rest of this article»
March 25, 2019 |
St. Paul, MN — The Nashville Predators punched their ticket to the Stanley Cup playoffs tonight with a win over the Minnesota Wild, 1-0. Ryan Johansen scored the game winner, just 4:32 into the opening period.
The Predators were coming off of a humiliating loss to the central division leading Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night and with the St. Louis Blues breathing down their neck, they desperately needed a win tonight.
Winnipeg lost to the Dallas Stars, but the Blues beat the Vegas Golden Knights to stay within two points of the Predators. The final few games of the regular season will determine how these teams shake out for the playoffs. Nashville still has a chance to win the division, but they could also fall to third place by seasons end.
Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros (74) makes a save in front of Minnesota Wild forward Luke Kunin (19) during the second period at Xcel Energy Center. (Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports)
«Read the rest of this article»
March 23, 2019 |
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada– The Nashville Predators were no match tonight for the central division leading Winnipeg Jets, getting shutout 5-0.
There will be a lot of soul searching in the Predators locker room after this one, and it will be interesting to see which direction this team goes from here.
Nashville was hoping for a chance to take over the division with a win, and now they’re looking over their shoulder at St. Louis making a charge for second place.
Winnipeg Jets right wing Patrik Laine (29) skates towards Nashville Predators right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) in the first period at Bell MTS Place. (James Carey Lauder-USA TODAY Sports)
«Read the rest of this article»
February 26, 2019 |
St. Louis, Mo– A frustrating night for the Nashville Predators as they completed the second game of a back-to-back series, falling to the St. Louis Blues, 2-0.
The Predators had NO offense against the Blues tonight, but still had a chance to win the game behind the amazing goaltending of Juuse Saros, who was a human punching bag for St. Louis. The Blues outshot the Predators, 44-19.
In what could be a first round matchup in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Predators failed to beat the Blues during the regular season with tonight’s loss.
Feb 26, 2019; St. Louis, MO, USA; Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) defends the net against St. Louis Blues right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (91) during the first period at Enterprise Center. Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
«Read the rest of this article»
February 25, 2019 |
Nashville, Tn — The Nashville Predators pulled out the win in overtime tonight against the visiting Edmonton Oilers, 3-2. The game went to a shoot-out where new acquired Brian Boyle scored the game winner to earn the Predators the valuable extra point.
In front of country superstar Garth Brooks and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and a fired up Smashville crowd, the Predators did what they had to do and that was fight to the end.
On a day that saw Nashville trade away Kevin Fiala and Ryan Hartman, for the services of Wayne Simmons and Mikael Granlund, the Predators are now set for a Stanley Cup playoff run.
Feb 25, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators center Nick Bonino (13) loses control of the puck after being checked by Edmonton Oilers defenseman Matt Benning (83) during the first period at Bridgestone Arena. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
«Read the rest of this article»
February 10, 2019 |
Nashville, Tn — The Nashville Predators dropped the second game of a back-to-back series to the St. Louis Blues today, 5-4. The only good thing about the game was their ability to come back to earn a point.
Nashville was fighting their way out of a wet paper bag the entire contest, and never led the game. Viktor Arvidsson was the bright spot scoring twice in the loss.
Costly turnovers and sloppy puck management has been the order of the day for the Predators and with a week power play, it doesn’t bode well for a deep run into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Feb 10, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators center Kyle Turris (8) battles for a loose puck behind St. Louis Blues goaltender Jake Allen (34) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
«Read the rest of this article»
