:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/1290191/GYI0061992668.jpg)
The Nashville Predators got the season rolling in good fashion, notching a convincing 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks, who at times looked as lost and frustrated as they did losing in Detroit 4-0 Friday night.
For the Preds, they hit almost all the right notes over the course of the game: a power play goal, a perfect penalty kill (included some 5-on-3 action), and 49 shots on goal in total. However, a lower body injury to Pekka Rinne early in the 3rd period brought Anders Lindback into the game in reserve, and it sounds like we can expect a call to Mark Dekanich in Milwaukee for some short-term assistance at least.
Follow after the jump for the video highlights, advanced stats, and some reaction to tonight's big win in front of a sellout crowd at Bridgestone Arena...
The St. Louis Blues make their first visit to Nashville on Thursday, and the Flying Ovechkins (err... the Washington Capitals) come in next Saturday. Use this special offer for OtF readers to save money on Nashville Predators tickets for these, or any other home games this season.
Quick Thoughts
- It was a stellar night for the combos of Patric Hornqvist and Steve Sullivan up front, and Shea Weber and Ryan Suter on the back end (no surprise there). Just check the advanced stats below.
- I'll admit to being a little underwhelmed with Cal O'Reilly's play early on, but he impressed with his
- While the Preds did score on the power play (once in 11:14 of PP time), they did struggle for long stretches to gain possession of the zone, and reverted to the stagnant style of previous years.
- Hornqvist picked right up where he left off, scoring a nice goal batting a rebound out of the air. He also set a great screen on Sully's power play goal.
- Watch that collision with Rinne (starting at the 3:40 mark in the video below), and see how Kevin Klein got beat badly down the wing, allowing Troy Bodie to drive the net.
- The Ducks looked frustrated often, with their new captain Ryan Getzlaf chirping at players after the whistle several times, and losing his focus on the game.
- Right after Anders Lindback came into the game, Anaheim forward Corey Perry ran him. No surprise there, as Perry led the league in Goaltender Interference two seasons ago.
- There's perhaps a silver lining to seeing Lindback get some action, so he can overcome those "welcome to the NHL nerves". He seemed to fumble the puck a couple times after saves, and almost got caught coming out of his net early, when a dump-in was stopped at the blueline.
- The newest Predator, Shane O'Brien, looked pretty good in his Nashville debut, with the exception of one soft pass up the middle that got intercepted and led to an offensive chance for Anaheim.
Your video highlights...
As for the advanced even-strength stats...
| Even Strength | Individual Totals | Team Totals While Player Is On Ice | ||||||||||
| Player | Pos | EV TOI | Shots | Shts Blkd | Missed Shts | Blocks | SOG For | SOG Ag | SOG +/- | Tot SF | Tot SA | Corsi |
| Martin Erat | R | 13:09 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 9 | -1 | 10 | 18 | -8 |
| Matthew Lombardi | C | 12:41 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 8 | -1 | 12 | 15 | -3 |
| David Legwand | C | 11:56 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 7 | +2 | 14 | 9 | +5 |
| Jerred Smithson | R | 11:27 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 10 | 12 | -2 |
| Colin Wilson | C | 11:10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 5 | +3 | 12 | 11 | +1 |
| Joel Ward | R | 10:14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | +2 | 10 | 6 | +4 |
| Cal O'Reilly | C | 10:10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 12 | 6 | +6 |
| J-P Dumont | R | 9:54 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 9 | -2 | 12 | 10 | +2 |
| Patric Hornqvist | R | 9:41 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 15 | 5 | +10 |
| Steve Sullivan | L | 9:36 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 5 | +6 | 15 | 5 | +10 |
| Jordin Tootoo | R | 9:18 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 13 | +1 |
| Marcel Goc | C | 8:43 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 11 | +1 |
| Ryan Suter | D | 17:25 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 6 | +9 | 25 | 12 | +13 |
| Shea Weber | D | 16:16 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 6 | +7 | 20 | 12 | +8 |
| Kevin Klein | D | 15:20 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 11 | -3 | 11 | 17 | -6 |
| Shane O'Brien | D | 13:05 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 9 | +3 | 18 | 12 | +6 |
| Francis Bouillon | D | 12:55 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 9 | -3 | 7 | 15 | -8 |
| Cody Franson | D | 12:30 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 12 | 11 | +1 | 19 | 14 | +5 |
Make sure you "Like" our site on Facebook (now at www.facebook.com/OnTheForecheck).To keep up with all of our coverage of the Nashville Predators, you can follow us on Twitter (@Forechecker, @predatweeter, @SLakePreds & @Short_Shifts) or you can also email me at the.forechecker@gmail.com.