Takeaways From Predators’ 5-2 Win Over Blues

In the second period, the Predators got a short-handed goal from Adam Edstrom to make it 3-1 at 7:05. Jimmy Snuggerud converted on the power play about 31 seconds later to make it 3-2, but that’s as close as the Blues would get.

In the third, Ryan O’Reilly potted a goal at 2:50, and Jack Drury recorded his first goal in Nashville at 8:14 in the third to reach the final score of 5-2.

Adam Edstrom Is a Gem Pickup

When the Predators acquired Adam Edstrom from the New York Rangers for a late-round pick, no one gave much thought to it. Nashville had a glut of forward additions and young prospects already, so the thought was that Edstrom could be depth in the American Hockey League (AHL). However, he’s been a legitimate weapon for the team.

He’s been the best part of what’s been a great penalty kill so far. “They really shifted momentum tonight, I thought, with Edstrom’s goal. I thought we’ve been killing really well the past couple of years, and today was no exception…the big kills always lift your team up a little bit, and they’ve been doing that for the last few years,” said Predators head coach Andrew Brunette.

Filip Forsberg Finally Found the Net

One of the big talking points coming into the game was that Forsberg, despite still being excellent on offense, hadn’t scored a goal. He came into the game with six assists and no goals in seven games, and it was a strange goal drought for a player who usually reaches around 30 or 40.

Against the Blues, he finally found the back of the net at 12:22 in the first period. Forsberg has been easy-breezy about it. “There’s been some chances, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my time, it’s that it comes and goes, but obviously a big goal at the time,” said Forsberg.

Brunette remained confident in Forsberg even during the goal drought. “I never really worried…he had 13 attempts on Tuesday and 16 or something on Thursday. They’re going to go in. It was nice for him to finally get in for him to breathe a little bit, but I was never really worried in him,” said Brunette.

The Turning Point

Looking back, the game turned on a play in the first period. On a power play, Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington threw his stick at Jonathan Marchessault, and the referees awarded Marchessault a penalty shot. He made a move and scored on Binnington to tie it up for Nashville.

“I knew he was not allowed to do that, but I didn’t know it was going to be a penalty shot. I just thought it was going to be a 5-on-3, but I was happy about it, and after I figured out it would be me to go, I was happy about that too,” said Marchessault.

Standings/Schedule

The Predators jump to No. 6 in the Central Division ahead of the Blues, who drop down to No. 7 with this loss. They’re tied with the Dallas Stars and San Jose Sharks for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The game against St. Louis was the last game of their home stand. They will travel on the road to face the Boston Bruins on Thursday, Oct. 22, and the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday, Oct. 24, before returning back home to face the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday, Oct. 25.