Nashville, TN – The Nashville Predators recovered from a lackluster performance against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night with an overwhelming attack against the visiting L.A. Kings, 5-0.
The return of Filip Forsberg paid dividends tonight with a goal and an assist, but Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne was solid in net with 19 saves and producing his fifth shutout of the season. Rinne was making his first start since the NHL All-Star game and showed why he is one of the elite goaltenders in the league. The shutout was his 48th of his career.
The Predators are getting balanced scoring from all four lines and tonight was evidence of how good this team is playing right now.
Craig Smith lit the lamp first at 10:02 of the first period on a power play to put the Predators up 1-0. This after a Ryan Johansen goal was disallowed after a video review determined there was goalie interference by Nashville.
Filip Forsberg then showed how much the Predators have missed him and his scoring when he put Nashville up 2-0 at 16:02 of the same period on a Predators two man advantage.
Calle Jarnkrok made it 3-0 at 17:21 of the opening frame after taking a Drew Doughty turnover and placing a sweet backhand shot past Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, who was making his first start after missing the previous two games. Quick made 31 saves on the night.
The Predators weren’t finished yet.
Colton Sissons gave the crowd their free frosty and Nashville a 4-0 lead when he beat Quick at 11:01 of the second period. Viktor Arvidsson would score at 9:44 of the third for the 5-0 final.
The Predators played a balanced attack both on offense and defense tonight, after their poor performance on Tuesday night. This team tonight showed why they are a serious team to consider to make a run for the Stanley Cup.
The news of former captain Mike Fisher has lit a fire beneath many of the Predator’s players saying they were excited for his return and couldn’t wait for his return to the line-up.
Nashville concludes this four game home stand on Saturday night when the New York Rangers will be in town.
Puck drops at the Bridgestone Arena at 7:00pm
