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Nashville Predators 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 1: Filip Forsberg Scores Two, Preds Pick Up Two Huge Points in Tampa Bay

Posted on by Rachel K

After an implosion Saturday evening in Nashville, the Predators travelled to Tampa Bay for a late afternoon contest against the Lightning.

The Predators started the game with a little more pep in their step. However, they were put on the penalty kill just three minutes into the game thanks to a high stick from Matt Irwin on Jacob Paquette. Viktor Hedman was quickly penalized for a hold on Ryan Hartman on an odd-man breakaway, and the Predators entered some 4-on-4 hockey. Neither team was able to tally on the 4-on-4.

A pickup in the Preds zone by Filip Forsberg was chipped out right on Ryan Johansen’s stick. He was on a 2-on-1 against Andrei Vasilevskiy with Craig Smith, and Johansen snapped home Nashville’s first goal of the evening.

With about 8 minutes left in the first, Ryan Hartman committed a trip and the Predators attempted to kill a powerful Lightning power play. Juuse Saros made some incredible stops on more than a few Lightning shots, and the Predators were able to kill off another penalty. Please feel free to roll your eyes at Nashville’s penalties…I know I am.

The second period began with some chances. An interference call put Nashville on the power play (for once), and a quick shot by Filip Forsberg leaked in behind Vasilevskiy for the Preds’ second goal of the contest.

Ondrej Palat tallied for Tampa Bay to cut the Preds’ lead in half with 12:28 remaining in the first. Several poor turnovers by the fourth line led to Palat’s goal. After the Lightning’s first goal, the pace really picked up.

Kevin Fiala was sent to the box for hooking with about 7 minutes remaining in the second. The Predators were able to kill the penalty. However, Anthony Bitetto would be found guilty of a hold shortly thereafter and the Predators were once again on the penalty kill. Just like before, the Predators were able to kill off the penalty.

Craig Smith was whistled for a delay of game with 24 seconds left in the second period.

The Predators began the third period on the penalty kill. Some incredible work in front of Saros prevented another Lightning goal. At around 8 minutes of the third period, Forsberg once again procured a puck in the Predators zone and skated all the way down the ice tapped in a third goal for Nashville.

Craig Smith snapped home a fourth goal a few minutes later off a beautiful pass from Mattias Ekholm.

The Predators grabbed two points in this contest thanks to Johansen, Forsberg, and Smith. Juuse Saros was huge in net, and the Predators get a W on Easter.

Random Observations

  • Third-line Tolvanen!
  • Viktor Arvidsson is day-to-day with an upper body injury. Get better soon, Arvi!
  • Can y’all not take penalties?
  • JOEY! What a snap.
  • What did I say about penalties?
  • Filip Forbserg is doing work tonight. An assist goes to Saros!
  • It looked like the fourth line just gave the puck away.
  • That was an incredibly weak call.
  • Oh look, another penalty.
  • (see above) (eye roll)
  • Fil is doing all the things tonight.
  • The slow-motion replay of Forserg’s second goal is something magical. He dekes the puck through the TBL defenseman’s leg and stick.
  • Yes, I would like to see shirtless Craig pop out of a giant Easter egg in the post-game show. Thanks.
  • Road frosties! That’s the 34th frosty you could have this season. I wonder if Wendy’s regrets this?
  • The Predators are playing clean, penalty-free hockey in this third period and succeeding.
  • Huge, huge, HUGE saves by Juuse Saros with the pad. Oh my. /

Super Duper Stars of the Night

  1. Filip Forsberg: After a maintenance day, Forsberg was on fire tonight. Two goals and an assist for Forsberg tonight led the Predators to a big victory in Tampa Bay.
  2. Craig Smith: Smith managed to scare Vasilevskiy with many shots tonight, but his cross-ice cut to the net was a thing of beauty. He’s also been on fire recently.
  3. Juuse Saros: The younger Finnish netminder was quietly doing work in the Nashville net tonight. He stopped 29 of 30 Tampa Bay shots, and he’s gone 3-0-1 in his last four games. I’d say the Juice is loose.

Tweets of the Night

Game Video

Talking Points