The Nashville Predators’ 14-game point streak went a bit under the radar for a few reasons, most obviously because they’re still a significant haul from the Central Division title race.
Still, it could be something we look back on if, say, the Predators make some noise as a strong wild card team in the West.
Let’s take a look at that team-record 14-game run, which ended Saturday via a 4-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks.
MORE: Predators are “pretty hot right now.”
Craig Smith, Filip Forsberg catch fire
It’s pretty easy to see the difference between some of the Predators’ go-to forwards before vs. during this streak.
Smith is probably the most dramatic example. In his first 50 games of 2016-17, Smith scored 14 goals and 30 points. That’s perfectly reasonable, but Smith generated 14 goals and 22 assists in the 19 games since the All-Star break. Obviously, that included a healthy chunk of that point streak.
Signs of life from Pekka Rinne
As we stand, this still ranks as one of Rinne’s worst statistical seasons; his .909 save percentage is the second-lowest mark he’s experienced (his woeful 2013-14 season featured a .902 percentage).
Nashville weathered the storm of what may have been his lowest points, so seeing recent confidence-building means more than those past struggles. His save percentage is much healthier at .917 since the All-Star break, and the points are coming with that improved play.
Overtime struggles persist
Strangely, the Predators remain a team that’s struggled after regulation. They now sit at 9-1-5 if you include that Canucks loss.
It’s disturbing enough that the team website attempts to put their overtime struggles “in perspective.”
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Long story short, with some rising scorers and an improving starting goalie, the Predators stand as an opponent to avoid. Their record streak put that notion under the spotlight.