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Nashville Predators 4, Toronto Maple Leafs 0: Forsberg’s Return Inspires Shutout in Toronto

Posted on by Rachel K

Both teams played pretty solidly in the first period. Pekka Rinne made incredible saves per usual, and new goaltending acquisition Michael Hutchinson played an excellent period in net for Toronto. The Leafs went on the first power play of the evening, but they were unable to convert on several chances.

Mattias Ekholm opened the scoring on the power play with less than four minutes gone in the second period. Nick Bonino provided some excellent screening in front of Hutchinson. Toronto, however, was able to quickly answer with a goal from none other than Auston Matthews on a blind pass from Mitchell Marner. No Nashville player picked up Matthews and he was able to tap in a slick goal.

Nashville challenged that the play was offside before the Matthews goal, and the goal for Toronto was wiped off the scoreboard. Toronto drew another penalty with 11:48 remaining in the second, but the Predators were able to prevent a tying goal from the Maple Leafs. The Predators really struggled to clear the puck from their zone as the second period drew to a close.

After Hutchinson covered the puck with less than 7 minutes left in the second, Bonino won the puck back for the Predators and P.K. Subban was able to add another goal. The boys in gold were able to keep up the pressure through the end of the second period.

Nashville returned to the power play with about five minutes gone in the third period. They were unable to convert and the Leafs threatened a few times shorthanded. The Maple Leafs went on a power play of their own a few minutes later, and the Predators were once again able to complete a successful kill.

With the Leafs pressuring hard late in the third period, the Predators were able to stifle the chances of Toronto’s scoring stars. With less than 3 minutes remaining, Colton Sissons was able to bury a rebound off a gorgeous pass from Calle Järnkrok for Nashville’s third goal of the contest.

Just when Toronto fans were slowly making their way out of the building, Sissons and Kevin Fiala added a fourth goal with 37 seconds left in the game. Rinne stood tall for the shutout and the Predators departed Ontario with another win in their back pocket.

Random Observations

  • None of us deserve Pekka Rinne.
  • There’s a nice amount of gold in Toronto tonight.
  • I miss William Nylander’s gorgeous hair.
  • What a chance for Ryan Johansen!!!!
  • Hello JoFA line…“reunited and it feels so gooooooood!!!”
  • Bouncing pucks everywhere!!!
  • No goal for you, Kaspari Kapanen.
  • Can y’all not fall over each other?
  • We are seeing the blossoming of Mattias Ekholm LIVE and IN COLOR.
  • That’s gotta be offsides. That’s the most definitive offsides I’ve seen in a good while.
  • PAY. THE. VIDEO. GUYS. BIG. DOLLARS!
  • It feels like Mitch Marner is on the ice all the time.
  • PERNELL KARL!
  • Matt Irwin picks up an assist on Subban’s goal! THIS GAME.
  • Ekholm and Subban are going streaking!!!!!
  • Rinne just stoned Marner. No soup for you, Mitch.
  • It’s like the Predators figured out that going to the net is a VERY GOOD THING! The FS-TN recap showed Austin Watson and Nick Bonino screening on Nashville’s two goals of the period.
  • Toronto fans are not happy with Subban tonight.
  • I’ve spotted an angry Lavy.
  • I’ve spotted the Subban fam!
  • Dan Hamhuis and Matt Irwin matched up quite well against the Toronto top line in the third period.
  • Viktor Arvidsson almost had a breakaway!!!!! Eeeeek!
  • Calle Järnkrok is on a three-game point streak…3 assists in 3 games.
  • Hutchinson remains in net for the Leafs as the minutes tick down.
  • FIALA TIME! 8 points in 6 games per Willy Daunic on FS-TN.
  • FROSTIES FOR YOU!!!!! FROSTIES FOR ME!!!!
  • I actually said “oh boy” right there. I’m getting old. /

Super Duper Stars of the Game

  1. The video guys: I really hope these guys get paid handsomely.
  2. Pekka Rinne: Once again, the Nashville netminder was one of the best players on the ice tonight. He shut the door on every Toronto chance.
  3. Mattias Ekholm: His power-play goal opened up the scoring for the Predators. The tall d-man is on a nice point streak.
  4. Colton Sissons: He shows us exactly how valuable he can be when he’s in the lineup. With one goal and one assist, Sissons ensured the game was sealed for our golden gentlemen.

Tweets of the Game

Game Video

Talking Points