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With ‘waves of attack,’ the Preds are off to a perfect start

Shea Weber, Craig Smith, Filip Forsberg

Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber (6) celebrates with teammates Craig Smith (15) and Filip Forsberg (9), of Sweden, after scoring against the Dallas Stars in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

AP

We wondered before the season had started if the Nashville Predators could be a surprise team in the tough Western Conference.

Well, two games in and they’re a perfect 2-0-0.

On Saturday, the Preds beat the Stars, 4-1. Two days prior, it was a 3-2 defeat of Ottawa. Both victories were of the convincing variety, with goalie Pekka Rinne having to make just 18 saves against the Sens and 17 against Dallas.

Nashville’s second line -- a trio of newcomer Derek Roy between rookie Filip Forsberg and the underrated Craig Smith -- has been particularly dangerous:

Also playing well? Veteran winger Eric Nystrom, who leads the team with two goals and two assists.

“Consistently, these (first) couple games we’ve just been doing the same thing over and over again,” Nystrom told the Nashville Post. “We have had waves of attack and (we’re) putting pucks at the net. It might not happen in the first period but you stick to it.”

The Preds are back at it tomorrow at home versus Calgary, before hitting the road for games in Winnipeg and Chicago.

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