Nashville Predators 4, New York Islanders 3
Barclays Center
Brooklyn, New York
Game 2 of 82
* Defenseman Anthony Bitetto checked into the Preds lineup, giving him his first game — playoffs included — since April 1.
* Forward Freddy Gaudreau also made his season debut.
* Since Thursday’s season opener was on national TV, Saturday’s tilt was the first Fox Sports broadcast of the year.
* Early in the contest, Viktor Arvidsson opened the scoring by putting the puck through his legs to get around Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock.
* Isles’ Brock Nelson tried to respond with his own between-the-legs move against PK Subban later in the game. It didn’t work out as well.
* Isles forward Mathew Barzal registered a minus-3 rating despite scoring a goal and adding an assist.
* Mattias Ekholm scored a goal assisted by Subban and Colton Sissons. All three are now tied for the team lead in scoring this season with the exact same stat line (1g-2a-3pts).
* Forsberg and Craig Smith had strong first periods. Each logged seven shifts and registered three shots on goal in the opening 20. Forsberg earned the primary assist on Arvidsson’s highlight reel tally as well.
* Speaking of Smith, he’s had an outstanding start to his eighth NHL season. Yes, he’s got two points through the two games but he’s done so much more. He’s also got 10 shots on goal in those two games and has played really well without the puck.
* Juuse Saros got the start after Pekka Rinne turned in a solid performance against the New York Rangers on Thursday. This is the luxury the Predators have. Two goaltenders that give them a chance to win each and every night.
* Saros is 7-0-2 in his last nine decisions.
* Rinne’s understudy hasn’t lost a game in regulation since February 17.
* Bitetto was credited with the secondary assist on Arvidsson’s second goal. The point was his first since November 28, 2017.
* Ryan Ellis, Kyle Turris, Smith, Forsberg, Sissons, Ekholm and Subban all have a two-game point streak headed into the home opener on Tuesday.
* Zac Rinaldo took a penalty for the second straight game. Making matter worse, the Islanders scored on the ensuing power play.
* Down on the farm, Eeli Tolvanen notched his first professional North American point by assisting on Nick Baptiste’s third period Milwaukee Admirals marker.
* If you missed the announcement, I’m giving away some prize packs when Tolvanen scores his first pro North American goal. You must be following me on Twitter to be eligible.
* Both of the final training camp cuts, Colin Blackwell and Rocco Grimaldi, scored in their Admirals debuts Saturday night. Grimaldi’s was the game winner in overtime.
* With the Predators going up to New York and beating the Rangers and Islanders, it’s time to see if the Tennessee Titans can complete the sweep when they take on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
And, finally, your Tweet of the Game:
Winston and I have the same thoughts about New York…… pic.twitter.com/f3C5Vp7vjM
— The Ultimate Predator (@IAmUltimatePred) October 7, 2018
