The Nashville Predators (12-14-4) have had a December to remember, with wins in four of their last five games. This match against the St. Louis Blues (11-14-7) was their biggest win yet as the Predators defeated them 7-2. Steven Stamkos scored a whopping four goals in this match and there were six Predators players with multiple points. Nashville is playing itself out of the bottom of the Central Division and they are already ahead of the Vancouver Canucks (11-16-5) in the Western Conference.
Summary of the game
Steven Stamkos already in the first period he exerted his power. He scored two consecutive goals; one at 8:22 and one at 11:19. The first was a highlight-reel goal that was knocked out of the air. At the end of the first it was 2-0.
The Blues responded in the second, with left winger Hugh McGing scoring his first career goal at 4:17. The Predators then scored three consecutive goals, one on out Ryan O’Reilly at 8:38, another from Filip Forsberg at 11:43, and Stamkos’ third of the evening at 12:06.
Robert Thomas cut the deficit with a goal at 13:56, but Stamkos scored his fourth goal at 15:33. Before the second period ended, however, Michael McCarron and Tyler Tucker each received five minutes for fighting.
The third period saw only one goal. Nashville closed the scoring with a power-play goal after Pius Suter was charged with a tripping penalty, and Michael Bunting cashed in at 7:36 to seal the 7-2 victory.
This was the most goals the Predators had ever scored, and it was thanks to Stamkos. He finally looked like his old self from the Tampa Bay Lightning, and now he has twelve goals in thirty games. He now leads the team in goals scored.
Luke Evangelista also had three assists. Juuse Saros had another strong start in net, saving 24 of 26 shots, while the Blues’ Jordan Binnington was on the bench for Joel Hofer after conceding six goals from 25 shots. The Blues now have a record of 2-4-0 in December, while the Predators have a record of 4-1-0 this month.
Related: Predators get final stop in shootout to win 4-3 over Avalanche
Nashville ends the week with a two-game road trip, first against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday, December 13th and then again against the Blues on Monday, December 15th. The Blues return home for four games, facing the Chicago Blackhawks (December 12), Nashville (December 15), the Winnipeg Jets (December 17) and the New York Rangers.
Stars of the game
Star No. 1: Steven Stamkos (4 goals, plus-4 plus/minus)
Star No. 2: Luke Evangelista (3 assists, plus-2 plus/minus)
Star No. 3: Matthew Wood (2 assists, plus-4 plus/minus)
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