This game was exactly what the Predators needed after bad, back-to-back, shootout losses to the Coyotes and Hurricanes.

Nashville got off to a sluggish start for the first 10 minutes of the first period, but turned things around and played much better over the last 10 minutes of the frame. The Predators still whiffed on several scoring chances but put forth a better offensive effort than they had been producing. Pekka Rinne made what could be a save of the year nominee after a Mattias Ekholm turnover in front of the net.

James Neal got the scoring started in the second period for his third goal of the season. He has really come on strong over the last handful of games and stepped up with Ryan Johansen and Filip Forsberg still in goal-scoring timeout.

P.K. Subban, who had an assist on Neal’s goal, tallied his third goal and team-leading eighth point, to double the Predators lead 2-0. Rinne shutout the Senators for the first two periods and looked really sharp.

Ryan Ellis made an appearance on the score sheet, ripping a goal past Craig Anderson and the Predators ran their lead to 3-0. Kyle Turris tacked on a goal for Ottawa and the shutout is no more.

Overall, a much better effort from this team. It was nice to see they didn’t just talk about playing a complete game but actually did so.

Random Observations

Craig Smith with a big whiff right in front of the net. Just imagine if he scored on half of the almosts and misses he accumulates.
PEKKA RINNE. That might have been save of the year.
The flip side to that: a terrible, terrible turnover by Ekholm in his own end.
The Predators talked the last few days about playing a complete game and giving better effort, so far that hasn’t been the case in the first period.
Predators the first 10 minutes: bad hockey. Predators the last 10 minutes: good hockey.
What in the world is going on with Filip Forsberg?
The kind of puck possession P.K. Subban had tonight is what everyone expected from this team from game one.
Neal has been picking it up these last few games, now they just need Johansen and Forsberg to follow suit.
Hey there, Ryan Ellis!
Now, THIS is the Predators team everyone has been waiting to see. /

OTF’s Super Duper Stars of the Night

P.K. Subban – he was all over the ice tonight. His puck possession on the James Neal goal was a thing of beauty. He is starting to put up the offensive numbers the Predators were expecting when they traded for him.
Pekka Rinne – 32 saves on 33 shots? Nashville will take that all night long. Much has been said about how Rinne would perform this season, but he has fared pretty well; especially the last handful of games.
James Neal – It’s hard to believe he only has three goals. But a good sign as it appears Neal is heating up at just the right time for Nashville.