Last night, the Nashville Predators opted to start seven defensemen and eleven forwards against the Winnipeg Jets. It was a decision that raised a few eyebrows when the lineup was announced before puck drop. Liam Foudy was a healthy scratch for the Predators while defenseman Luke Schenn was activated off of IR and slotted in the lineup for the first time since the opening game October 10.
After the game, Andrew Brunette explained the decision to add Schenn as a seventh defenseman.
"Unfortunately like I said this morning, we haven't practiced a lot [with Schenn]. I would like to see him practice for a week straight, but our schedule right now is so condensed and we need some rest, so it's hard to get him in the flow of practice. We thought we'd give him a look tonight, let him play. Let him feel his way in."
Schenn played just over twelve minutes in the game but didn't log any shifts in the last nine minutes of the third period.
Schenn's fellow defensemen were glad to see him return to the lineup and realize how tough it can be to get back to playing after a long absence.
"He's been working really hard," Ryan McDonagh said. "We're really pumped for him. The first one is always the toughest, and I thought he handled it really well."
With Schenn in the lineup, Liam Foudy became a healthy scratch. The timing for a move like that didn't interrupt the offense last night. Nashville's bottom six is still working to find the right line combinations, and with versatile players like Colton Sissons and Cole Smith able to jump in and out of a line with other players, the change didn't affect what Nashville's forwards were able to do.
Whether Brunette continues to go with this seven defensemen, eleven forwards remains to be seen. With Cody Glass and Tommy Novak out with injuries and recent strong performances from the defense, the option gives Brunette time to get a closer look at who will get more minutes on the blue line as Schenn returns.
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