The Nashville Predators returned to Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday night to host Kevin Fiala and the Minnesota Wild. Nashville holds a 25-9-(2)-4 record at Bridgestone Arena against the division rival, and they have not lost at home to the opponent since Dec. 27, 2016.
Matt Borowiecki and Dante Fabbro made their return to the lineup as their team looks to close out the last 14 games of the regular season to earn a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
It was evident it would be a physical matchup, as Michael McCarron and Borowiecki teamed up for three fights just in the first period, with each tossing the gloves before the game clock hit five minutes.
It wasn’t long before NHL’s Star of the Month for March put the puck behind goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. With good passing along the perimeter and Nick Cousins set as a screen, Captain Roman Josi released a shot during the man advantage for the club’s leader in points to earn his 19th goal of the season and first point of the night.
Josi sent the puck to Johansen who was waiting at the doorstep of Fleury. The two earned their second point of the night and Matt Duchene earned his first with a secondary assist. Breaking records once again, they matched a franchise record with three power-play goals in a period. They accomplished the feat five times previously and last on Nov. 18, 2006 (per NHL PR).
Forsberg worked his stick-handling magic before passing the puck along to a rushing Duchene as he found the Preds fifth goal of the night.
Josi continues to lead his club in points as well with 83 (19g-64a), followed by Duchene with 72 (36g-36a) and Forsberg with 69 (38g-31a). Johansen has 54 points (20g-34a), Granlund has 51 (9g-42a).
