Ohhhhh…That was Bic flickin’ good! The Preds spread sawdust all over the Oil Slicks with a 3-0 whitewashing in Edmonton last night. Thus, Nashville wins it’s 5th straight game (fourth on the road), and stay atop the Central Division, Western Conference, and entire NHL with a 7-1 record, good for 14 points.
The Future was dynamic between the pipes, turning away all 31 Moil shots. When combined with his amazing goose egg there last season, he has now 76 for 76 at Wrecks-All Place. Juice is currently 4-0 on the campaign, with 1.54 GAA and .945 save percentage.
After a scoreless opening stanza, the Smashcats’ PK and P.K. got it rolling early in the second. Down a man, Subban scooped a loose puck near his own blue line and blazed up the left wing. Using Hartsy as a decoy on a 2 on 1 break-in, P.K. wired one low glove side on Towelbutt for the first shorty of his career, and 2nd tally of the season.
Moments later, after killing the penalty, the Men in Gold had a 4 on 2 rush, when Nicky B. played give and go with Arvi, and the toothless Swede quickly made it 2-zip with his 4th marker.
In the final round, as the Goils tried mounting pressure, the Sabre Cats continued their denial, and Capn’ Roman got his 2nd on an empty netter.
Overall, the team showed excellent defensive structure, especially neutralizing much of the movement by Conner McDavid. The killers were also a strong unit, slowing down one of the best power plays in the circuit on all 4 of their opportunities.
With this 5th straight victory, Nashville is now off the the 2nd best start in franchise history. They have the best goal differential in the league at 27-15, and stingiest D with an 1.87 goals-against per game. And the Golden offensive is balanced again, with 14 different players registering at least 1 goal so far, best in the league.
So, it’s back to Smashville on Tuesday night to take on the rejuvenated Sharts in what should be a barn burner on national TV. Let’s go, Preds!