The Nashville Predators needed a win in the worst way when they hosted the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night. And they played like it to start. A lot of energy and chances to start the contest, but none were successful, including two power plays.
The Blues struck first first on a shot from the point and doubled the lead with another lapse in the defensive zone to leave Ryan Reaves alone in the slot. After a promising start, Nashville was in trouble as they headed to the dressing room after one period.
The Predators come out in the second and dig a deeper hole with James Neal going to the box and the Blues capitalizing on the opportunity. St. Louis lead 3-0 and the ship in Nashville was taking on a lot of water.
However, Neal makes up for his penalty box trip with a wrister from an offensive zone face-off. Then, Filip Forsberg gets the crowd back in it with a much needed goal for both him and the team. The Predators had the Blues on their heels but couldn’t equalize before the end of two periods in Nashville.
The period starts, and Nashville’s top line center delivers with a wrist shot from the slot. The Predators have dug themselves out of a severe hole. Another great play by Colin Wilson to feed Mike Fisher on a 2-on-1 gave Nashville the lead.
Mike Ribeiro added an insurance goal to make it 5-3 Nashville, and Fisher put the icing on the cake with an empty net goal to end it 6-3 Predators.
The Predators might have just turned their season around after tonight. They’ll try to keep the momentum going when they host the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night.
Random Observations
- Nashville turning pucks over deep in Blues territory early on.
- Forsberg back on the point on the power play.
- The defensive zone coverage on the second St. Louis goal was ungood.
- The team looked deflated towards the end of the period.
- You can’t go into the box to start the second period. You just can’t. But they did.
- Brad Hunt scores his first career goal for St. Louis. Of course he does.
- James Neal’s wrist shot is just incredible.
- Forsberg needed that goal more than he needed oxygen.
- Media timeout standing ovations are still pretty neat to witness.
- Ryan Johansen scoring a goal while Colin Wilson kneels at his feet is my favorite.
- Mike Ribeiro non-empty-net empty-net-goal
- Credit to the Predators for not giving up down 3-0.
- Hey Carter!
- Don’t call it a comeback!/
OTF’s Super Duper Stars of the Game
- Filip Forsberg- He finally broke his goal drought and looked dangerous througout the night.
- James Neal- In a season with a few players not living up to expectation, Neal is doing his part with 12 goals on the year.
- Mike Fisher- The game-winning goal and an empty netter. The Captain had himself a night.
Tweets of the Night
Preds defense pic.twitter.com/kOpMe15ERv
— Tony X. (@soIoucity) December 14, 2016
“Head, shoulder, knees and toes. KNEES AND TOES!” – Thanks ref. Thanks for the reminder. pic.twitter.com/tEUvPO72WV
— FOX Sports Tennessee (@PredsOnFSTN) December 14, 2016
This team. ¯_(ツ)_/¯
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) December 14, 2016
NEVER IN DOUBT
— Trevor van der Bort (@trevor_0) December 14, 2016
When the Preds are buzzing they’re so compelling to watch. It helps when they also score.
— Marya (@_marya_k) December 14, 2016