Last Week:

@ Pittsburgh - L, 4-2

vs. Edmonton - W, 2-0

vs. Detroit - L, 1-0

Playoff Standings:

1. Minnesota 34-12-5 (73 points)
2. Chicago 32-17-5 (69 points)
3. Nashville 25-19-8 (58 points)

Wild Card

• Los Angeles 27-21-4 (58 points)
• Calgary 27-24-3 (57 points)

Team News:

• Colorado reportedly rejected a trade offer from Nashville for Matt Duchene centered around Preds prospect Samuel Girard
• After asking for a trade, Mike Ribeiro was placed on waivers. He cleared waivers and the Preds intention is to assign him to AHL Milwaukee
• The Preds traded a 4th round pick in 2017 to the New Jersey Devils for former Predator Vernon Fiddler
• Rookie phenom Juuse Saros was assigned to Milwaukee and Marek Mazanec was recalled to Nashville
• The Filip Forsberg-Ryan Johansen-Viktor Arvidsson line is still really good looking

Game of the Week:

Michael - Edmonton. Let’s not forget, the Oilers are a playoff team and shutting them out is something to be proud of. The defense played great, Pekka played great, and that Forsberg-Johansen-Arvidsson line was clicking on all cylinders.

Marya - Edmonton was a complete effort, as well as the only win.

Hayley - Edmonton was the only game this week where everyone meshed well together. The other games had their moments despite the outcome but overall Edmonton was the only solid performance.

Alex - Red Wings. Just for some variety, I’ll go with this one. Sure the win over the Oilers was nice, but that Saturday night downtown Nashville environment was a lot of fun. And, hey, the Preds put up 42 shots and dominated in every aspect of the game except the final scoreline. Pekka made some huge saves, Arvy did some cool stuff, and Forsberg almost had a highlight reel goal to tie it. In terms of entertainment value, the Red Wings game was it.

Player of the Week:

Michael - Pekka Rinne. Yes, technically he finished 1-2-0 for the week. However, the Pittsburgh game was tough coming right out of the All-Star break. He owned the Oilers, and I think it’s overlooked that he held Connor McDavid (the NHL’s leading scorer) without a point. He was also great in the Detroit game, it just so happene Petr Mrazek was better.

Marya - Matt Irwin played his 200th NHL game versus Edmonton and has done a lot of the defensive heavy lifting lately.

Hayley - Pekka Rinne for extending his winning streak against the Oilers with a shut-out. The rest he’s getting with Juuse Saros has done wonders for his game.

Alex - Ryan Johansen/Filip Forsberg/Viktor Arvidsson In three games, this line combined for five points and 30 shots on goal. They’ve been the most dangerous line over the last few games and continue to provide pressure every shift.

Looking ahead:

Michael - Three of the the Preds next four games are at home. Their lone road game will be tough going into New York and trying to beat the Rangers. However, with home games against Vancouver, Florida and Dallas there shouldn’t be any reason Nashville shouldn’t walk away with at least 6 points next week.

Marya - This week will be a good test of which side of the playoff bubble they deserve to be on. Coming away with less than four points would be bad.

Hayley - I’m looking forward to seeing more from the Forsberg-Johansen-Arvidsson line. We saw a glimpse of what they’re capable of against Edmonton but I think they can give us a lot more.

Alex - Some very winnable games over the next week. Home games against Vancouver and Florida, a Sunday afternoon game against Dallas, and the lone road game in New York. I’d like to see the Preds come away with at least five points in these four games with the toughest challenge being against the Rangers on Thursday.

Brooks Bratten, nashvillepredators.com