While Shea Weber’s fearsome slap shot is usually cited as the most dangerous offensive weapon in Nashville’s arsenal, it was a pair of wrist shots by other Predators defensemen which made the difference tonight as the Preds (16-14-3) beat the San Jose Sharks tonight, 3-2.
Eric Nystrom got credit for the opening goal, deflecting a Victor Bartley shot home, while Roman Josi made it 2-0 with a power play snipe in the second period. The Sharks put on a furious charge in the third period, out-shooting Nashville 20-7 and getting goals by Dan Boyle and Patrick Marleau, but a Viktor Stalberg score proved to be the winner for the Preds.
Carter Hutton pushed his record to 7-3-1 by stopping 36 Sharks shots. Coming up next, the Preds welcome in the Chicago Blackhawks, Hutton’s old team, Tuesday night.
Random Observations
- The opening goal was a great example of why monster slap shots from the point are often overrated. Bartley simply laid a wrister in there and let the traffic scrum in front do the rest of the work. Josi’s score was also a wrist shot, as he took a moment to pick his spot rather than wind up & blast.
- Give credit to the penalty killers for a job well done, keeping a very dangerous Sharks squad off the board in two chances.
- Rich Clune didn’t play at all in the 3rd period, with just 3:58 in total./
Boxscore – Game Summary – Event Summary – Fancy Stats
Roll the video highlights…
Who is your Predator of the Game?
| Victor Bartley | 11 |
| Carter Hutton | 88 |
| Roman Josi | 48 |
| Eric Nystrom | 8 |
| Viktor Stalberg | 45 |