A comprehensive weekly guide to the Nashville Predators:
By Anthony Pellegrino @Pellegrinoap50 IceInsider.com Predators All Access Reporter
BOSTON--If you asked anyone who closely followed the Nashville Predators following the free agent moves made, very few would think of the team starting the season 0-5, for the first time in franchise history.
The anticipated success; due to how last season went for the team along the arrival of what some would pinpoint as the top free agents of the offseason: Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault.
Furthermore, defenseman Brady Skeji was signed to fill out the blue line, and two-time all-star goaltender Juuse Saros indeed an eight-year extension.
Yet the season hasn't begun the way anyone could've thought it would. Tensions have started to arise, subtle questions if Head Coach Andrew Brunette is the right man for the roster. After all, this team isn't meant to be 0-5.
This week Nashville faced off against Seattle on Tuesday, Edmonton on Thursday, and Detroit on Saturday.
A comprehensive weekly guide to the Nashville Predators:
A Blowout by Seattle (TUES):
The Predators welcomed Seattle to Bridgestone Arena Tuesday, marking game one of Nashville's four-game homestand. They looked to begin the four games at home on a positive note.
Yet just three minutes in, Ryker Evans fired a shot past goaltender Juuse Saros to give Seattle an early lead. A common theme to start the season, up until Thursday was the fact that Nashville couldn't seem to start the game ahead. It took five games to finally score first. Nashville would find themselves climbing back against Seattle, tying the game up 2-2 from a two-goal deficit. Heading into the third, tied at three.
A complete defensive breakdown and lack of effort saw Nashville allowing four goals in the third period (one empty net goal), to fall 7-3 to Seattle. A tied game at three, to trailing 5-3 in the matter of less than two minutes.
Forward Mike McCarron roofed his first goal of the season, on a backhand shot that beat goaltender Joey Daccord. Although it felt like McCarron had an impressive showing, he ended the night a -4. Defenseman Brady Skjei scored his first goal as a Nashville Predator.
Heading into Thursday, the Predators looked to find their identity after a lackluster effort against Seattle.
Improvement Against Edmonton (THURS):
Facing what's been dubbed as the top offensive line in the NHL, meant the Predators would have to improve the disappointing defensive play that allowed the Kraken to score seven on them.
It felt as if it was a game the Predators could afford to lose. They improved, outshot, converted, and played with Edmonton. It's a loss they could afford to take if they score on 37-year-old Cam Talbot (DET), and if they aren't blown out by Seattle. They showed improvement. Just not enough to win.
The team seemed to find their stride, as Roman Josi fired a shot near the blue line, which Filip Forsberg perfectly tipped, and beat Edmonton's Calvin Pickard. The Oiler's third line tied up the game, and in the second veteran Jeff Skinner gave the team a lead. Then it was Jonathan Marchessault who tied the game at two. His first goal of the season, and more importantly, a goal for the struggling first-line power play.
Yet just a minute later, Connor McDavid silenced the crowd beating Saros for his first goal of the campaign. The game ended with an empty net from the Oilers, and Nashville fell 4-2.
They finally seemed to play as a group, to execute when needed, and convert on the power play. Yet still, they cannot find a way to close out the game.
Now 0-5 falling to Detroit (SAT):
The theme seemed to transition from not scoring first, to not being able to close out games for the Predators. Nashville faced Detroit just one week before the game, where the Red Wings shut the team out 3-0.
This time around looked slightly different, as Nashville's veteran defenseman Luke Schenn opened up scoring eight minutes in. Schenn could be seen on the bench with a subtle smile, as the entirety of his family was in attendance for the celebration of his recent milestone, hitting 1,000 games played. It was his first goal since February 17th.
The game seemed to feel like the previous game one week before. Nashville outshot the Red Wings 39 to just 24. Even still, the Predators couldn't execute at the right times. Steven Stamkos scored his first goal with Nashville, a sigh of relief for many.
Brunette on the Hotseat:
As mentioned earlier, tensions have begun to subtly arise as the team looks for answers. It's bound to fall on coach Andrew Brunette at some point, as the team now looks for their first win leading into the sixth game of the season.
Brunette was brought on by Nashville following Nashville firing him on May 30, 2023, six weeks after the Predators missed the playoffs.
So what exactly can fall on Brunette?
The 0-5 start to the season happens to be the leading factor. It was bound to take time for the power play to work, as Stamkos find his stride with the new group. Even still, when you acquire a roster of the caliber that was given to him leading into the season, eventually it's going to fall on the coach.
If the Predators happen to fall further this week facing Boston, Chicago, and Columbus, serious talks of moving on from Brunette now in his second year of leading the Predators, could emerge.
Stamkos, Marchessault First(s):
Steven Stamkos has struggled to score thus far. Saturday against Detroit, after Lyon robbed him on the Power Play, did the one-timer that he's most known for find the back of the net.
Jonathan Marchessault was brought on in free agency to bring scoring stability to a lacking Predators offense. Tuesday, he found the back of the net against Edmonton for his first of the campaign. He now has a goal and three assists in five games
Aditionally, the power play is beginning to find success, as the timing and execution have appeared to improve every game.
Call Ups:
Milwaukee defenseman Marc Del Gaizo was called up to Nashville ahead of Saturday's game against Detroit. In his season debut, he registered no points, but one blocked shot.
He slotted in for Dante Fabbro, who struggled to find his game through the first four games.
Today he reflected on Saturday's game:
"I felt pretty good, I felt comfortable. With the guys (being here most of training camp), it felt like a smooth transition, just happy to be here.
Zachary L'Hereux was drafted by the Nashville Predators in the first round, 27th overall in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He spent his first pro season last year, with the Predators AHL Affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals.
In five games with Milwaukee this season, L'Hereux has three goals and two assists for five points in just four games.
He spoke on what it means to make his NHL debut tomorrow night:
"It's always something I've dreamed of," L'Hereux said following Monday's practice. "Just trying to soak it all in." His goal on the ice will be to play his own game, and be himself. "I'm not going to create a miracle or anything. Just come in here, play my game, and do what I do. (Maybe) bring a little excitement, bring a little jump.
In other news, the team has rotated forwards Juuso Parisien and Philip Tomisno, in and out of the lineup.
On the Horizon:
In search of the first win of their campaign, the Predators welcome Boston into Bridgestone Arena tomorrow night, still in search of their first win, to end the four-game homestand.
The Bruins head into Nashville 3-2-1, coming off an overtime loss (2-1), to the Utah Hockey Club.
Followed by Boston, the Predators will travel to Chicago, for a division matchup against the Blackhawks. A surprisingly successful Chicago team thus far, Nashville takes part in the final game of their four-game homestand.
Through the night, the Predators will then travel to Columbus for a quick turnaround, against the Blue Jackets on Saturday.
Predators Hurricane Helene Relief: Donate Here
Single-game tickets for Predators 2024-25 home games at Bridgestone Arena are now available at Ticketmaster.com. Watch tonight's game on Bally Sports South, hosted by Lyndsay Rowley and Hal Gill, with Play-by-play announcer Willy Daunic and analyst Chris Mason on the call.
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