The Nashville Predators returned home to Bridgestone Arena for the first time since Oct. 29 to take on the New York Rangers. Two recent call-ups from the Milwaukee Admirals led the struggling team to their sixth win of the season on Saturday night.
Just nine hours before puck drop, it was announced that Juuso Parssinen had been recalled from the Admirals. The 21-year-old forward was selected by the organization in the seventh round (210th overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft. In his first 10 games in the AHL, he tallied two goals and seven assists. According to the Predators press release, he has recorded at least one shot on goal in all but one game and has two multi-point outings in his last four games.
It’s a hockey tradition for the rookie to lead the team out onto the ice. In reality, the team watches from the tunnel as the rookie takes a solo lap.
“He’s a really smart player. He’s a big, strong guy. He’s got great hockey sense,” said Head Coach John Hynes. “He’s a guy that has really made some strong impressions on us over the last two years, particularly the last two training camps. He’s gone down to Milwaukee, and he’s been a real driver of the team just in the way that he plays and the minutes he plays. Parssinen’s earned it. He’s gone down and did a really good job.”
It didn’t take long for him to get comfortable in gold. He tallied his first career NHL goal with 4:58 into the first period. He became the fifth player in franchise history to score a goal in their NHL debut. He’s the first to do so since Miikka Salomaki on Jan. 8, 2015, according to Preds PR.
Mark Jankowski was recalled from the Admirals on Nov. 3. He joined the team in Calgary while away on a five-game road trip. According to Preds PR, he led the Admirals in points with nine and was tied for the team lead in goals with five through seven AHL games to begin the season. He spent the 2021-22 season in Buffalo’s organization, suiting up in 19 NHL and 32 AHL games.
Jankowski’s first goal in gold was scored with 8:37 into the second period. With some sweet and spicy moves, Roman Josi turned Vincent Trocheck around and passed the puck through two other defenders to find Jankowski waiting at the doorstep of goaltender Jaroslav Halak.
Ryan Lindgren dropped the gloves and was ready to fight, but not a single Predator reciprocated. Still, he and Ryan Johansen were sent to the penalty box for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Filip Chytil net the lone Rangers goal with 8:04 remaining in the second period.
Lindgren wanted a fight a few minutes earlier, so Jeremy Lauzon gave him one.
The Rangers pulled Halak late in the third period in an effort to tie the game. They created a lot of havoc in their offensive zone, but they were not able to tally a goal.
The Predators are back in action on Tuesday night as they host the Minnesota Wild.
