The Nashville Predators, losers of two in a row at home, were presumably glad to see the Colorado Avalanche entering Bridgestone Arena. The two have played each other twice this season with Nashville winning both games, scoring five goals in each .

The Preds came out firing early in this one – a positive sign after coach Peter Laviolette credited slow starts as contributors to the previous two losses. Viktor Arvidsson continues to amaze, scoring his eighth goal of the season to put the Preds up 1-0. Arvidsson scored eight goals all of last season and has matched that total in just 25 games this season.

A bad turnover in their own zone leads to a Nathan MacKinnon goal and this one is tied 1-1. Arvidsson is all over the ice and just misses an opportunity to knock in his second goal of the period. Continuous pressure from the Preds puts them up 2-1, courtesy of James Neal’s 11th goal of the season.

Just 3:46 into the second period the Preds penalty kill squanders again. This time Matt Duchene does the damage and ties the game 2-2. However, Nashville answers approximately two minutes later on a blast from P.K. Subban. Six of his seven goals this season have come at home. Kevin Fiala also earns his first career NHL assist on Subban’s goal. Matt Duchene ties it up 3-3 at 13:56 of the second, with his second goal power play goal of the game.

The Preds started off the third period with 1:17 left on a 5-on-3 power play. Roman Josi took full advantage, blasting a puck past Varlomov to give Nashville the lead again 4-3. It will be a tight one to close this game out – Colorado will end on a power play and they have an empty net.

The Avs can’t capitalize and the Preds are back in the win column!

Random Observations

Hey! Nealer is back!
Viktor Arvidsson is making David Poile’s decisions for the expansion draft even more difficult with every game…
Not only was Arvi’s goal great, but that blocked shot to set it up was something else
Austin Watson clearly does not want to play for the Admirals ever again. He is playing like he belongs in Nashville – and not on the bottom line.
The Fiala-Ribeiro-Forsberg line looks pretty dang explosive thus far
What a pretty, pretty goal from a not so pretty angle there by James Neal
What has happened to this once-dominant Preds home penalty killing unit? They have been leaving premier goal scorers alone in front of the net
P.K. Subban’s goal totals at home are going to be ridiculous this season, just saying
Quit letting Duchene in front of the net!
Pekka has not been particularly sharp tonight
Hey look a solid two minutes of 5-on-3 hockey!
With 13 seconds left Roman Josi makes sure the 5-on-3 isn’t wasted, the Preds really needed that goal there
Good lord, how did Pekka stop that puck? /

Pekka Rinne with a big stop. #Preds pic.twitter.com/g3adq80LQg

— Mark Harris (@MCHisTweeting) December 7, 2016

Great, a power play and empty net…/

OTF’s Super Duper Stars of the Game

Viktor Arvidsson – this kid has arguably been the Preds MVP this season. He is the team’s second leading goal scorer, and if you said you predicted that then you are a liar.
James Neal – Neal picked up right where he left off before being put on IR. From the corner, on an almost impossible angle, Neal went top shelf and blew one past Semyon Varlamov for his team leading 11th goal of the season. It would be an understatement to say this offense has missed him.
Roman Josi – With time running out on a 5-on-3 Predators power play, Josi slammed a puck home giving the Preds a 4-3 lead. He has not put up the offensive numbers he did last year, and keep in mind he’s played the last handful of games without his defensive partner Ryan Ellis, but Josi has still been solid.