Two very different first round picks and an undrafted forward helped the Nashville Predators win their sixth straight game in a row last night against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The bottom six line of Cole Smith, Michael McCarron, and Phil Tomasino has been playing together for Nashville's past six games, and their performance has contributed to the Predators' success. Last night Michael McCarron scored the Predators' two regulation goals, Cole Smith scored twice in Nashville's November 18 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, and Phil Tomasino has five points in these last six games.
The contributions from this line go beyond goals and assists. Smith, McCarron, and Tomasino have been forechecking, winning puck battles, playing a physical game, and each contributes individually on special teams.
Andrew Brunette addressed that line's contributions after last night's win over the Penguins.
"They're a big part of our winning success," Brunette said. "I think they're contributing night in, night out a little bit other through the scoresheet or just offensive zone time. They've been hard on pucks. They brought some energy and I think for our group, that just adds another dimension that we need."
"They've been really good."
That line will need to continue to produce as the Predators take on the Minnesota Wild tomorrow night.
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