It’s a good time to be Filip Forsberg.
The 29-year-old Nashville Predators forward was named to his second NHL All-Star team on Thursday and then followed it up with a two-goal performance against the Dallas Stars on Saturday, scoring the game-winning goal in Nashville’s 4-3 win.
There’s no arguing that Forsberg has been the Predators MVP through the first 40 games of the season, and earning his second All-Star nod is just the latest feather in his cap in a season that’s put him even further on the map as one of the league’s most dynamic scorers.
“He’s been the engine for us,” forward Ryan O’Reilly said, via the team’s official website. “He’s been so amazing and seeing the stuff that he’s done — like the overtime goals and stuff like that — is just really incredible. He’s just been so phenomenal and he’s driving the bus for us, so it’s definitely well-deserved and it’ll be fun to watch him out there.”
“His skill is off the charts,” captain Roman Josi added. “I’ve been playing with him for 10 or 11 years, but some of the things he does, it’s unbelievable… So, it’s well-deserved that he got into the All-Star Game. It’s going to be a lot of fun for him and I think he’s going to put on a show.”
Forsberg leads the Predators in several statistical categories including goals (21), points (45), game-winning goals (5), overtime goals (3), shots on goal (154), goals above expected (4.5), rebounds created (22), and on-ice goals percentage (65.3).
He also ranks in the top 15 of the NHL in overtime goals (first), game-winning goals (third), goals (11th) and points (14th).
Finally playing in an offensive system (under Andrew Brunette) that plays to his strengths, and with arguably the best playmaking center he’s been paired with (O’Reilly), Forsberg is having a career year.
He’s on pace for 30 power-play points, 43 goals and 92 points — all of which would mark new career highs. O’Reilly has had a front-row seat for it all. He even admitted Forsberg stands out as perhaps his favorite line-mate from his 15-year career.
“It’s definitely nice being on the other end of it and being able to play with him (instead of against him) and see how effective he is,” O’Reilly added. “For myself it’s been the most fun I’ve had playing hockey — playing with him.”
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