Last night’s game seemed like an emotional release for both teams. The Nashville Predators sought revenge against the St. Louis Blues for Robert Bortuzzo’s aggravated assault on Viktor Arvidsson, as well as looked to keep their playoff hopes alive. The St. Louis Blues were coming off of a bad streak of losing while also adjusting back to the daily routine after their game was halted due to the medical incident involving Jay Bouwmeester a few days ago. Fights involving Filip Forsberg, Brayden Schenn, Jarred Tinordi, and Robert Bortuzzo highlighted the elevated emotional element of the game. However, with the Predators hanging on to win the game in St. Louis, the stage was set for an intense and fiery rematch a mere 24 hours later.
What Happened
First Period
The first period started with neither team getting established in the offensive zone. It took over three minutes for either team to register a shot on goal. However, once things got started, both teams had great chances every time they were able to get set up. Filip Forsberg and Craig Smith had great chances early. Pekka Rinne had some incredible saves and the post even helped him out once.
It should be noted that almost a full 18 minutes of the first period were penalty-free and Don Draper himself, Jon Hamm, was shown to be in attendance. Of course, he wasn’t wearing Mad Men-esque clothing, he was dressed in the tattered rags of a Blues fan…sad. The first penalty was handed to Austin Watson for hooking, giving the Blues most of the rest of the period with an extra attacker. The penalty was killed and Watson returned to the ice and immediately got involved in a net-front scrum that ended with roughing penalties for he and Zach Sanford. For once, it appeared Watson gave better than he got. The crowd appreciated his effort and the teams allowed the remaining ten seconds to expire without further incident.
END 1st: #Preds 0, Blues 0
Very different first period for these teams. Nashville dominated last night behind a flurry of shots, but they struggled with possession tonight – good news though, is that the shots they took were high quality. Great work by Rinne 👀@OnTheForecheck pic.twitter.com/y0mUl2lcHN
— Bryan Bastin (@projpatsummitt) February 17, 2020
Second Period
- Let’s do the second period reactions style.
- The first period didn’t have much action, so maybe this one will.
- Well, after all that roughing action at the end, it may get a little more chippy.
- 4-on-4 to start the period.
- Hmmmm…tripping on Mikael Granlund. Blues back to the power play.
- Colton Sissons stopped a great chance for David Perron.
- Penalty has expired. /
Penalty kill has looked great tonight for the #Preds.
— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) February 17, 2020
- Roman Josi almost made it 1-0…but Jordan Binnington wasn’t having it.
- CRAIG SMITH fires one home to put the Predators up 1-0!/
- The Blues appear to have scored. Tied up at 1. There was some argument about GI, but not much came of it. Goal goes to Tyler Bozak./
- WOW! That was a close one by Rocco Grimaldi off the post!
- The Military Salute by Bones’ Barracks always gets the most unified cheer of the night. /
The 2nd period of #STLvsNSH comes to an end.#STLvsNSH pic.twitter.com/ZT3JpFe1bz
— Predators Game Bot – On The Forecheck (@OTF_Preds_Bot) February 17, 2020
Third period
- Scary start as linesman Derek Amell gets pinched against the boards and landed hard.
- Don’t worry, he got up and seems to be okay. Although the crowd may chirp at the refs, everyone cheered.
- David Perron to the penalty box for slashing. This will be the first true power play of the night for the Predators.
- Matt Duchene had a great position on Jordan Binnington, but he was able to stop it.
- Perron comes out of the box after several great attempts by the Predators.
- Yikes, I think the refs missed a call on Josi, but I’ll take it.
- HOW LONG DO YOU WAIT TO BLOW A WHISTLE? HE WAS CLEARLY LYING DOWN ON TOP OF THE PUCK!!!/
Rinne being serenaded by the home crowd right now. It’s awful loud in here.
— Kristopher Martel (@kmartel_sports) February 17, 2020
- Head Coach John Hynes seemed particularly fired up during that TV timeout.
- Lots of stickholding going uncalled.
- Predators are pinned in the defensive zone. Not good.
- KYLE TURRIS WITH THE GO-AHEAD GOAL! PREDATORS UP 2-1!
- Now just hold it…or add on to it.
- Really, just prevent them from scoring.
- Too many men! Predators on the power play for the remainder of the game!
- Empty Net!
- OFFSIDES. That helps./
Heroes of the Game
3. Craig Smith – Got the Predators on the board and continues a hot streak.
2. Pekka Rinne – Ridiculous stops and on-point all night.
1. Kyle Turris – Game winning goal and the Hero of the Game!