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Nashville Predators 4, Edmonton Oilers 1: Craig Smith Dominates Oilers

Posted on by Anish Patel

Nashville kicked off the first of six games on the road with a win. The Predators dominated the game all night long, and it showed on the score sheet. In the process of getting the win, they snapped the Edmonton Oilers‘ four-game winning streak.

After a scoreless first period, Nashville took the lead in the second with goals from Craig Smith and Taylor Beck. Shea Weber added another in the third before Taylor Hall scored to cut the lead to 3-1. Smith iced the game with his second goal of the night.

Now it’s off to Calgary.

Random Observations

  • In our OTF predictions column at the beginning of the season, we had to choose who we thought would be the surprise team this year. I picked Edmonton. With the way they have been playing the past few games, you can’t deny it. This game has not been any different. The Oilers look fast and skilled. And on top of that, Ben Scrivens is playing great for them. Although he did get bailed out on that no goal, thanks to intent to blow.
  • The one thing I was worried about was that Nashville would be dejected after that no goal. That was not the case. They are firing on all cylinders right now.
  • Man the first period may have been the best one the Predators have played all year. Even though there was no goal that came from it (cough, cough, there should have been), they were clicking on all fronts. In my opinion, the first game of a road trip sets the tone for the rest of the time. A win in the first game can go a long way.
  • Toronto is busy tonight with this game. Wicked shot by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Pinged it off of the crossbar. Should have been a quick review, and it was. Nashville just got flat out beat in the neutral zone on that play that led to the shot by RNH.
  • Only 1:26 separated the goals between Smith and Taylor Beck. I could get used to seeing quick back to back goals like that. Colin Wilson picked up the assist on Beck’s goal. I’m hoping that the assist will get Wilson going a little bit offensively. That’s not asking for too much, is it?
  • Shea Weber just doing Shea Weber things. His shot just amazes me every time. My mind can’t grasp the fact that someone can shoot a puck that hard. Nonetheless, it’s now 3-0 Predators. Nashville clearly didn’t care about any streak that Edmonton was on coming into this game.
  • Even with the Taylor Hall goal, this has been a very well played game by Nashville tonight. All the way through. From offense, to defense, to goal tending. The optimist in me really hopes that they can sustain this play on the entire road trip.
  • Craig Smith did not appreciate the goal that was taken away from him. Keep in mind that he should’ve had a hat trick. Also, how good has Matt Cullen looked tonight. That line has easily been the best line of the night.

OTF’s Super Duper Stars of the Game

  • Craig Smith. I don’t care what anyone says, he scored a hat trick tonight. This was the type of game that the doctor ordered for him.
  • Matt Cullen. He was the absolute man tonight. He only ended up with an assist, but he should have had two if it wasn’t for the no goal in the first.
  • Roman Josi. Quietly showing up on the stat sheet with two assists and a plus-2 rating. Just a normal day in the office for Roman./

Tweets Of The Night

And just because there was a Game 7 in the World Series on….

Boxscore – Game Summary – Event Summary – War-on-Ice – HockeyStats – Natural Stat Trick

Roll the video highlights…


Talking Points