In a clash between a struggling Eastern Conference opponent and the second-place (in the Central) Predators, many were expecting a massive battle. Coming off an awful week, the Leafs were definitely looking to get back to their style of play tonight.
Nashville went on an early power play, but the special teams unit was unable to convert with an extra man. Brian Boyle whipped a wicked wrist shot past Toronto goaltender Frederick Andersen for Nashville’s first goal a few minutes later. Toronto’s first power play came on a holding call on Mattias Ekholm about mid-way through the first period. The Leafs were unable to find a tying goal on their power play.
The Leafs went right back on the power play after Craig Smith was whistled for tripping, but the Predators were able to successfully execute the penalty kill.
In a back-and-forth yet relatively dull second period, Toronto went on their third power play of the evening. The Predators were once again able to kill the penalty, but Toronto kept the up pressure. The rest of the second period passed without any interesting activity.
The Predators really got their wheels turning in the third period. The boys in gold continued to pressure the Toronto defense and it paid off for them. Wayne Simmonds scored his first goal as a Predator off a gorgeous feed from Ryan Ellis and celebrated appropriately.
With Andersen on the bench, the Maple Leafs tried to find a goal with an extra attacker late in the third period. Filip Forsberg put the icing on the cake with an empty-net goal.
Random Observations
- Viktor Arvidsson is always dying from slapshots. Why?
- Brian Boyle!
- Arvidsson has died and been resurrected.
- What a penalty call. Ok then.
- That was an excellent penalty kill by the Predators.
- Pekka Freaking Rinne. What a save on Auston Matthew’s “dipsy doodle” (a Terry Crisp quote).
- Pekka just gave me a heart attack.
- The Grimaldi-Turris-Boyle line is very nice.
- Stop taking penalties, Preds.
- Ryan Johansen hit the post!
- I love when Pete Weber gets emotional on the call.
- Oh, Pekka. What. A. Save.
- THE WAYNE TRAIN HAS ARRIVED AT THE STATION!
- Simmonds is happy! Celly time!
- More big Rinne saves!
- Empty net for Toronto with 3:25 remaining.
- Filip Forsberg grabs an empty netter!!!!!
- PS: This is Rinne’s 55th career shutout. /
Super Duper Stars of the Game
- Brian Boyle: Our very tall forward has been excellent in his time with the Predators.
- Wayne Simmonds: #17 has been waiting for a few weeks to get his first goal as a Predator. He potted Nashville’s second goal off a gorgeous feed from Ryan Ellis.
- Pekka Rinne: The tall Finn needed a big game in net tonight, and he worked his tail off. 55 career shutouts for #35.
Tweets of the Game
Viktor Arvidsson is back on the ice after taking a Subban slapper in a not-well-protected spot
— Chris Brooks (@CBrooksTN) March 20, 2019
Ryan Johansen has set a career-high with his 48th assist of the season. #Preds pic.twitter.com/sY9pYeOHnk
— Nashville Preds PR (@PredsPR) March 20, 2019
Rocco Grimaldi pic.twitter.com/CFknaSAr3C
— Paul Skrbina (@PaulSkrbina) March 20, 2019
Mikael Granlund’s son joining him in #Smashville tonight. #Preds | #TORvsNSH pic.twitter.com/4vZIorqvlb
— Thomas Willis (@TomAWillis) March 20, 2019
Wayne Simmonds is the 180th player in #Preds franchise history to score a goal. #Waynetrain pic.twitter.com/mEBYmkiiPs
— Brooks Bratten (@brooksbratten) March 20, 2019