It is clear the Nashville Predators and Chicago Blackhawks do not like each other.
Anthony Bitetto and Jordin Tootoo proved that point with their second period tussle that left Bitetto out for the remainder of the game with an upper-body injury. Then to really drive the point home, James Neal and Jonathan Toews exchanged words, with their fists.
P.K. Subban won over the hearts of Predator fans early on scoring the first goal of the season for Nashville on the power play. He also broke up a 2-on-1 in the defensive zone that could have been disastrous with Patrick Kane skating in. The Shea Weber-less power play looked pretty good with three power play goals, two from defensemen.
The Predators ultimately won 3-2 sending the Blackhawks back to Chicago with a bad taste in their mouths.
Random Observations
- Predator fans love them some P.K. Subban.
- Boy are Filip Forsberg and Kevin Fiala going to be fun to watch on the same line together.
- James Neal and Jonathan Toews dropped the gloves. Just like we all predicted.
- Jordin Tootoo reminded everyone why Nashville used to pay him to beat people up at Bridgestone Arena. Unfortunately Tony Bitetto found out the hard way.
- Good luck keeping up with the pace of the Predators this season. They have speed, speed, and more speed.
- Josi and Subban have the potential to be the most lethal defensive top pairing in the league.
- This Predator defense has the skill to be the best in the league.
- The Nashville Predators will not be bullied. They can play fast, they can play physical, they will even throw the occasional punch if needed. /
OTF’s Super Duper Stars of the Game
- P.K. Subban – Because why not? He scored the first goal of the season, broke up a 2-on-1 that had Patrick Kane breaking in, and no one got the crowd as loud as P.K. Also, not only did he terrorize Toews in the final period, but he shoved Patrick Kane on his rear-end and got Kane to draw an embellishment call.
- Ryan Johansen – He recorded three assists and I bet you didn’t even notice. It was just the second time Johansen has had three or more assists in a game.
- James Neal – Let’s be honest, a lot of people in Bridgestone Arena enjoyed watching Neal trade blows with Toews. Two of the least likely players to get into a scrap provided one the more entertaining moments of the game.
Tweets of the Night
The reaction to P.K. Subban’s goal was one of the loudest cheers I’ve heard at Bridgestone Arena since I’ve been here.
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) October 15, 2016
Game plan for the @PredsNHL:
1) Power play
2) Give it to the d-man
3) Fire away#CHIvsNSH pic.twitter.com/rK6hXDtW08— NHL (@NHL) October 15, 2016
James Neal landing some rights on Jonathan Toews. Yes, these teams do play again tomorrow night. #Preds #CHIvsNSH pic.twitter.com/jBYRfhKqSN
— Thomas Willis (@TomAWillis) October 15, 2016
I wasn’t trying to do this, but it looks like I caught a service dog watching Josi carry the puck up ice. And over the Pedigree sign too. pic.twitter.com/bic60RGmTC
— Jim Diamond (@diamondhockey) October 15, 2016
“Monster Block” has surpassed the Goose call as the most annoying thing at Bridgestone Arena.
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) October 15, 2016
MAKE THE BAD MAN STOP pic.twitter.com/eyscYC4qX7
— On The Forecheck (@OnTheForecheck) October 15, 2016
Subban goes to the box for roughing, Kane for embellishment: pic.twitter.com/Yq0EO7hu6G
— Mark Harris (@MCHisTweeting) October 15, 2016