Pre-season speculation, analysis, and anticipation finally can come to a close. Join us for the ride. Welcome to the 2019-20 season!
Minnesota took two penalties in a row in the first ten minutes of the contest. The new-look Predators power play got set up in the Wild zone very briefly. An obvious high-stick goal by Mikael Granlund was closely reviewed because the puck grazed off Nick Bonino’s helmet shield. The Predators were able to kill off Minnesota’s first power play of the evening a few minutes later.
With about four minutes gone in the second period, a puck ricocheted off Ryan Ellis’s skates and ended up in the back of the net. Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk was rather incensed. Craig Smith was sent to the penalty box around the mid-way point of the period for goaltender interference, but the Predators were also able to kill off that penalty.
Rocco Grimaldi served a Predators bench minor with a little under five minutes remaining in the second period. Former Predator Brad Hunt fired a massive slap shot over Pekka Rinne’s shoulder which Jason Zucker tipped to tie the game on the power play. The Wild added another goal quickly after from Matt Dumba.
Less than thirty seconds into the third period, the Predators found their second goal of the game off a beautiful shot by captain Roman Josi. The goal was credited to Granlund after some net-front redirection. The boys in gold continued to pour on the pressure, notching a third goal from Austin Watson.
The line combination of Viktor Arvidsson, Ryan Johansen, and Craig Smith added a fourth goal for the Predators at the 12-minute mark of the third period. Frosties for everyone! With Devan Dubnyk on the bench late in the third period, Filip Forsberg put the icing on the cake with an empty net tap-in.
Random Observations
- No one likes you, Mike Milbury.
- A banner was not raised…it was revealed?
- Fans still don’t like Ryan Suter.
- Rocco Grimaldi just died. Just kidding.
- Goal? Nick Bonino’s shield? Why y’all hitting Granlund this much? Power play feelings are real.
- Dear Lord, Devan Dubnyk.
- Matt Duchene is literally camping out in front of the Minnesota net and I love it.
- A pedal tavern is ON the ice.
- WHY?
- Pressure!!!
- Stone cold Pekka Rinne.
- Arvi!!!!!! And his toothless grin.
- Filip Forsberg wants a goal. Please oblige him.
- Smashville is loud tonight.
- An empty-net tap-in by Forsberg. A sweet finish to tonight’s opener. /
Super Duper Stars of the Game
- Pekka Rinne: The big man in net played superbly. He was a victim of two absolute blasts from the Wild, at least one of them a redirected goal. His positioning was solid tonight.
- Ryan Ellis: After a wonky deflection goal off his skate, Ellis potted another assist in tonight’s game.
- Mikael Granlund: Although his high-stick goal was disallowed early in the game, Granlund found a way to put in a legal goal. He seemed to be all over the ice, mixing it up with his former teammates and forechecking and attacking with purpose.
Tweets of the Game
The refs rightfully incredulous Nick Bonino could score a power play goal
— statsgenuflecter (@statsrespecter) October 4, 2019
Keith Urban celebrates a #Preds goal while between the benches pic.twitter.com/9hpa0GBYPK
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) October 4, 2019
There’s a pedal tavern like vehicle on the ice right now and it is getting summarily booed by the fans.
— Jim Diamond (@diamondhockey) October 4, 2019
Nick, no.
— Kate 🧷 (@statswithkate) October 4, 2019
guys, rally pedal tavern
— Adam Vingan (@AdamVingan) October 4, 2019