Nashville Predators Lead Central With Big Win Over Avalanche
By Jim Lynch
The Nashville Predators topped the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night in Nashville in what is a big win for the Predators.
Going into this season I do not think many really thought the Predators were going to lead the division come the middle of January, yet here we are.
What was at one point a season many were calling for a rebuild and the trading away of star players, has turned into a year where not only is the team all in, but they actually look like a competitive threat for the Stanley Cup.
Nashville has a three-point lead over the Avalance after their matchup. They beat one of the hottest team’s in hockey as the Predators were 9-1-0 going into the game.
The Predators are now on a five-game win streak including victories over the Blackhawks, Golden Knights, Kings, Coyotes, and Avalanche. Their next matchup is on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres.
Why this game matters.
The Avalanche and Predators are two of the top teams within the Central Division and the Western Conference in its entirety. There is a strong chance this could be a playoff matchup in round one or two this year. Tonight’s game showed how offensive it could be, with goals going back and forth throughout most of the night, especially in a wild third period where Colorado evened the score twice.
Matt Duchene did get the last laugh over his former team with a great goal in overtime:
.@Matt9Duchene wins it in OT!! pic.twitter.com/wGIDA0B4ha
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 12, 2022
The Predators’ success is not because of one player, but it is worth noting their MVP of the first half of the season has to be Juuse Saros. Saros faced 44 shots against the Avalanche and stopped 40 of them on the way to the victory, and some of those saves were really dangerous chances.
Since the start of January Saros has played in five games, putting up a 1.75 goals-against average and a save percentage of .953, no wonder his team has been so hot as of late!
While the season still has a lot of hockey to be played. These two teams are going to be a lot of fun to watch, and they are clear picks to be in the postseason.