The Nashville Predators/Colorado Avalanche division rivalry got off to a nasty start tonight, as a rather pedestrian game turned ugly after Steve Downie knocked Roman Josi from the contest with a high, hard hit. The Avalanche won a tight affair 3-1, as the game was close the entire way until a P.A. Parenteau empty net score with 1:12 left.
Paul Gaustad scored the lone goal for Nashville as the Predators fell to 0-2 on the season, while Pekka Rinne played a strong game, making 33 saves.
The Predators return to Nashville in preparation for their home opener against another new division rival, the Minnesota Wild, on Tuesday night.
Random Observations
- The biggest difference from last night to tonight? Much more structured play in the defensive zone, i.e. fewer guys getting completely open for dangerous scoring chances. Colorado got their shots, but there weren’t those groaners we saw in St. Louis.
- Steve Downie’s hit on Roman Josi in the second period was certainly high and dangerous, and we’ll all be watching to see whether the NHL takes action. More details and video are over here.
- It’s really a pity that the Avs don’t come to Nashville until January 18th. Believe me, there’s nothing more fun than watching a cheap shot artist from Colorado receiving some bare-knuckle justice in front of the home fans.
- In general I like the response the team gave to that incident. Rich Clune drew a penalty from Downie shortly thereafter, which helped lead to Gaustad’s goal, and multiple guys gave Downie the business later on. Colorado is a new division rival, and the Preds can’t put up with nonsense like that.
- The penalty kill going a perfect 5-for-5 was heartwarming.
- The power play going 0-for-3 was not. After the first period, it seemed like decent scoring chances at even strength were few & far between.
- Seth Jones looked remarkable once again, and actually led the Predators in ice time with 25:46. Shea Weber took a few penalties, sure, but still, that’s amazing.
- Patric Hornqvist is playing inspired two-way hockey.
- Paul Gaustad won 16 of 18 faceoffs. Huzzah!
Boxscore – Game Summary – Event Summary
Roll the video highlights (wait 30-45 minutes post-game)…
Nashville Predators Advanced Stats
| Player | Pos | ES TOI | Total Shots For | Total Shots Against | Corsi | Net Zone Starts | Adjusted Corsi |
| Eric Nystrom | L | 13:59 | 15 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Matt Cullen | C | 13:33 | 9 | 15 | -6 | 0 | -6 |
| Craig Smith | C | 13:30 | 10 | 17 | -7 | 0 | -7 |
| Mike Fisher | C | 12:41 | 9 | 15 | -6 | -1 | -6 |
| Nick Spaling | C | 12:21 | 9 | 16 | -7 | -1 | -7 |
| Gabriel Bourque | L | 11:44 | 7 | 14 | -7 | 0 | -7 |
| Colin Wilson | C | 10:07 | 13 | 14 | -1 | +2 | -2 |
| Paul Gaustad | C | 9:51 | 4 | 7 | -3 | -5 | -1 |
| David Legwand | C | 9:13 | 17 | 11 | +6 | +2 | +5 |
| Patric Hornqvist | R | 8:31 | 15 | 9 | +6 | +2 | +5 |
| Matt Hendricks | C | 8:30 | 2 | 6 | -4 | -5 | -2 |
| Rich Clune | L | 7:53 | 1 | 5 | -4 | -6 | -2 |
| Seth Jones | D | 17:13 | 19 | 21 | -2 | -2 | -1 |
| Victor Bartley | D | 16:14 | 12 | 12 | 0 | -4 | +2 |
| Shea Weber | D | 16:13 | 11 | 21 | -10 | 0 | -10 |
| Kevin Klein | D | 15:42 | 11 | 16 | -5 | -4 | -3 |
| Mattias Ekholm | D | 14:55 | 12 | 16 | -4 | +3 | -5 |
| Roman Josi | D | 8:44 | 8 | 11 | -3 | -1 | -3 |
Colorado Avalanche Advanced Stats
| Player | Pos | ES TOI | Total Shots For | Total Shots Against | Corsi | Net Zone Starts | Adjusted Corsi |
| Paul Stastny | C | 15:48 | 13 | 12 | +1 | -1 | +1 |
| John Mitchell | C | 14:45 | 16 | 8 | +8 | -2 | +9 |
| Ryan O’Reilly | C | 14:22 | 16 | 17 | -1 | 0 | -1 |
| Alex Tanguay | L | 14:14 | 10 | 12 | -2 | -1 | -2 |
| Matt Duchene | C | 12:41 | 18 | 11 | +7 | -1 | +7 |
| Steve Downie | R | 12:18 | 16 | 11 | +5 | -2 | +6 |
| Pa Parenteau | R | 10:34 | 13 | 9 | +4 | +1 | +4 |
| Nathan Mackinnon | C | 10:22 | 13 | 10 | +3 | +1 | +3 |
| Jamie Mcginn | L | 9:26 | 13 | 8 | +5 | +1 | +5 |
| Cody Mcleod | L | 6:56 | 7 | 4 | +3 | +6 | +1 |
| Marc-Andre Cliche | R | 5:42 | 5 | 4 | +1 | +5 | -1 |
| Patrick Bordeleau | L | 5:05 | 4 | 3 | +1 | +5 | -1 |
| Erik Johnson | D | 16:30 | 18 | 12 | +6 | -5 | +8 |
| Jan Hejda | D | 15:52 | 20 | 11 | +9 | -5 | +11 |
| Cory Sarich | D | 15:33 | 11 | 14 | -3 | +3 | -4 |
| Andre Benoit | D | 15:04 | 11 | 15 | -4 | +3 | -5 |
| Tyson Barrie | D | 12:31 | 18 | 9 | +9 | +6 | +7 |
| Nate Guenin | D | 12:29 | 18 | 10 | +8 | +6 | +6 |
More from On the Forecheck:
- The NHL Business Model: Why Opponents of Fighting Should Suck It up, Hold Their Noses
- Nashville Predators to Air 47 Games in Georgia This Season
- Friday’s Dump & Chase: The Quest For 82-0 Is Over 🙁
- OTF Game Day: Nashville Predators @ Colorado Avalanche Preview – Right Back at It
- St. Louis Blues 4, Nashville Predators 2: Early Gaffes Doom Preds/
Who was your Predator of the Game?
| Paul Gaustad | 18 |
| Seth Jones | 37 |
| Pekka Rinne | 42 |