Predators vs. Red Wings Plus/Minus: Forsberg Fights For Game-Winner

Extending their point streak to 17 games, the Nashville Predators defeated a desperate Detroit Red Wings team 1-0 in a Saturday matinee at Bridgestone Arena.

The environment was the loudest it’s been in a long time with the crowd on the edge of its seat the until the final whistle.

With every game you take the good with the bad, so here’s what went right and what didn’t during the Predators’ second shutout win in as many games.

(+) Filip Forsberg

The highlight of the afternoon was without a doubt No. 9. Forsberg amassed 15:57 in total ice time while tallying the lone goal and dropping the gloves with Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider. Forsberg’s goal was his 39th of the season placing him three goals away from tying his personal best and four away from tying Matt Duchene’s franchise record of 43.

Forsberg’s goal was the epitome of how the team has played over the last 17 games with a long sequence of events resulting in the goal as the Predators refused to give up on the play.

Head coach Andrew Brunette didn’t mince words with his thoughts about the grind that led to Forsberg’s game-winning goal.

“Yeah, I think that was our identity,” he said. “I mean it started in the third period where we were relentless and we weren’t going to give an inch. We were going to take away as much time and space. We want the puck a little bit more and that proved that whole point. That whole shift, if you watch it, it was pretty impressive.”

But you can’t ignore where the tenacity started with Forsberg, who set the tone for the Predators with his fight in the second period. 

This footage of the Seider/Forsberg fight 😳👊🏼@hockeyfights pic.twitter.com/xk6Qo2FSsH

— Dropping the Gloves (@dropping_gloves) March 23, 2024

“I started out decently,” Forsberg said with a smile. “Then he took over.” 

Tyson Barrie also shared a few laughs about Forsberg’s performance.

“Obviously, great job by him stepping up and getting the crowd and the boys into it,” he said. “Huge goal he scored, but we’re probably not wanna see Fil dropping them too often. Keep those mitts on for him.” 

Barrie also admitted seeing a leader like Forsberg drop the gloves really energized the rest of the team, which was held scoreless for 54:46 before Forsberg broke the scoreless tie.

“It’s huge; he’s our leader up front,” Barrie told Nashville Hockey Now. “To see him step up  and not only fight but to fight a guy as big as Seider on the other side. I don’t even know how big he is, probably 6’6″ or something. It just shows how committed he is to our group and to winning. You know, it takes a lot of courage and says a lot about him. Obviously gets us fired up when we got guys that step up for each other every night in here.” 

While mostly everyone was complementary of Forsberg’s willingness to trade punches, Brunette had a different perspective.

“Well, wish he wouldn’t,” Brunette said in jest. “You got to appreciate the emotion he has and the care he has in our group. He’s willing to do anything for our team. He hung in there and he got the last laugh with a big goal for us.”

(+) Juuse Saros

Saros continued his incredible run against the Red Wings, stealing another game and earning his third shutout of the season. The 28-year-old Finn saved all 22 shots with 2.42 goals-saved above expected. The Predators earned a hard two points, and Saros was a large part of that result.

Below are a few of his more notable saves from Saturday.

“Obviously, a lot of big blocks today again,” Saros said. “The penalty kill has been a huge part that’s been working really well. Yeah, we’re all kind of on the same page and really committed in playing our way.”

(-) Too many odd-man rushes

The Predators didn’t have their best performance, but they found a way to win and fought until the Red Wings broke. The few glaring issues, if you want to call them that, were centered on a few odd-man rushes, particularly the two-on-one late in the first period, and high slot chances. Saros came up clutch on these occasions and kept the Predators in the game.

The Red Wings had more high-danger chances for in the first two periods (7-3), but the scoring chances overall were more even, until the Predators took over in the third. 

(+) Bridgestone Arena

The fanbase has started to buy-in to the Predators’ philosophy and its brought the playoff energy lately. While the arena was not sold out, the atmosphere was electric nonetheless. The players rightfully deserved the standing ovations they received, especially following Forsberg’s go-ahead goal. Nashville is building off the energy of the city and fanbase, which is reminiscent of the playoff runs of 2016 and 2017.

Without getting too far ahead, the Predators are only five points back from the third place Winnipeg Jets in the Central division and seven points back from the division-leading Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars (Winnipeg and Colorado have a game in hand).

The Predators have continued to create separation from themselves and the rest of the teams chasing the second wild-card spot. They’re five points clear of the Vegas Golden Knights, who also have a game in hand, and nine points clear of the St. Louis Blues. 

All videos courtesy of the NHL YouTube channel. All stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Money Puck. 

Follow Clay Brewer on Twitter/X: @ClayBrewer10

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