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Nashville Predators 3, Winnipeg Jets 5: Nashville’s Early Lead Erased in Manitoba

Posted on by Rachel K

In Mikael Granlund’s first game as a Nashville Predator, the Predators squared off against the Winnipeg Jets at Bell MTS Place in Manitoba. Pekka Rinne started in net for Nashville. The Jets were first on the power play after the Predators were whistled for too many men. The Nashville penalty killers were successful and Winnipeg was limited to a few shots.

With the teams back to even strength, Viktor Arvidsson found the back of the net with just over 4 minutes remaining in the first period. It was refreshing to see the Predators get on the scoreboard first. However, a turnover by Filip Forsberg shortly after resulted in a tying goal by Kyle Connor.

The Nashville coaching staff challenged that the puck was brought back into the Winnipeg zone with Nikolaj Ehlers and Kyle Connor offside. The video coaches struck gold once again and the Winnipeg goal was overturned. Winnipeg went back on the power play after a retaliatory cross-check from Kyle Turris after some heavy hits from the Jets.

Starting the second period down a man, the Predators were able to kill of Turris’s penalty. Around five minutes into the period, Roman Josi was called for cross-checking Connor and the Predators returned to the penalty kill. Nashville was again able to kill off the penalty.

Nashville finally got a power play at the halfway point of the second period. Jets goaltender Laurent Brossoit made some incredible saves, but the new-look Nashville power play looked a little less awful on their first attempt. A few minutes later, Mathieu Perreault tripped P.K. Subban behind Pekka Rinne and Nashville returned to the power play. Subban himself put the Predators up by 2.

The last five minutes of the second period were a disaster for the Predators. Turris was once again sent to the penalty box for a tripping call. Mark Scheifele buried a slick backhander behind Rinne for Winnipeg’s first goal of the game. Right before the end of the period, the Predators again struggled to clear the puck out of their zone. The Jets picked up the puck and Kyle Connor scored (for real) to tie the game up going into the intermission.

Blake Wheeler put the Jets up late in the third period. The Predators were struggling to complete a line change after a long shift and an icing call. Wheeler came barreling off the Winnipeg bench and lasered a wrister past Rinne.

After the ensuing face-off, Filip Forsberg was high-sticked by Adam Lowry and the Predators got another power play chance. While there were more chances than usual on a Predators power play, the boys in gold were unable to find a goal.

Tyler Myers added an empty-net goal to seal the victory for Winnipeg.

With Rinne on the bench (again), Mattias Ekholm notched a third goal for Nashville. The game appeared to be headed for an explosive finish.

Winnipeg added another empty net goal from newcomer Kevin Hayes after Mikael Granlund was slashed trying to corral a puck. The Predators saw their early lead erased by a Winnipeg team that refused to quit.

Random Observations

  • Hi Mikael Granlund!
  • At least Winnipeg isn’t wearing their third jersey.
  • All of Winnipeg’s players are massive.
  • Pekka Rinne’s glove is a black hole. I’ve said this many times.
  • Viktor Arvidsson had TWO chances in front of Brossoit and he made damn sure he buried the second chance.
  • Jet goal.
  • An offside challenge by Nashville.
  • NO GOAL!
  • Pekka Rinne!!!!!! Being giant and Finnish and incredible!
  • The power play doesn’t look nearly as bad now that Granlund and Simmonds are on the first PP unit.
  • Holy heck, what a bomb by Pernell Karl Sylvester Subban.
  • Is this game going to be all special teams?
  • Kyle Turris is spending the entire game in the penalty box.
  • The Preds have pummeled Brossoit with shots and he’s coming up big for Winnipeg.
  • The Laviolette Line Blender is in full effect.
  • This game is such a let down.
  • Ouch, Forsberg’s face. No blood or apparent injury.
  • No dice on the PP but that was expected.
  • Empty netter for the Jets.
  • Mattias Ekholm!!!!
  • Is that not a slash?
  • Another empty netter for Winnipeg. /

Super Duper Stars of the Game

  1. The Predators Video Coaches

Tweets of the Game

Game Video

Talking Points