NHL Update – Nashville Predators dominate as they win 3-0 against the Washington Capitals
The 97th game of the NHL preseason took place at the home of the Washington Capitals – the Verizon Arena. This matched witnessed the home team up against the Nashville Predators who were looking to
continue their winning run. They were successful in doing so as they defeated the Washington Capitals 3-0 despite the away disadvantage.
1st Period
Predicting an exciting and tough battle between the two, an attendance of around 17,500 was there to witness the match.
To the fans’ disappointment, the home team wasn’t able to score during the course of the first period. They did come close to scoring once but the shot went just wide of the post. The away team, the Nashville Predators, had
other things in mind. They were looking to keep possession and find gaps in the Capitals defence rather than just firing shots on goal.
The Washington Capitals understood this and were able to form a strong defence of their own. This resulted in a goalless period as both teams nullified each other from the backline. During the course of the period, the Nashville
Predators were able to come up with 5 goal attempts out of which none were converted into a goal. The Washington Capitals on the other hand were able to make 8 unsuccessful goal attempts.
2nd Period
The second period started from where the teams left off in the 1st period. Both teams were able to make more goal attempts this time and gave the fans something to cheer about.
The early stages of the period were dominated by the home team but as the period progressed there was change in momentum. The Nashville Predators change from defence to offence was smoother and more effective than the Washington
Capitals. They not only broke through the defence line of the Washington Capitals but stunned the home fans with a goal in the 12th minute. The goal scored by Cal O’Reilly from 15 feet backhand put the visitors in the lead.
From then onwards it was all about the Nashville Predators. The defence, offense and playmaking made it look like they were playing an amateur team - such was their dominance. Though there was a defensive lapse in the 17th minute
when they lost possession in their half, they recovered well. Despite being one on one with the goal keeper, Washington Capitals’ forward put the shot wide.
The period ended with the away team scoring once out of the 11 goal attempts whereas the Washington Capitals were able stack up 7 unsuccessful shots. The teams went into the break with the score 1-0 in favour of Nashville
Predators.
3rd Period
The 3rd period was the most productive in terms of goals. Though there were only 2 goals and both were bagged by the Nashville Predators, even the opposing fans appreciated them.
The Washington Capitals were expecting the Predators to sit back and defend their slender lead but this was not to be. The Nashville Predators instead took the game to the opposition and dominated the game on the counter.
Coupled with this was the strong and tight defence that they were able to maintain throughout the match.
With the consistent and powerful goal attempts they were making, the Nashville Predators scored in the 8th minute. This further strengthened their lead with 2 goals to their advantage. The goal was
score by Joel Ward from a 20 feet wrist off.
Continuing with the impressive performance, they were able to attack the Washington Capitals every now and then. The Washington Capitals pushed forward in hopes of pulling back a goal back. This was not to be and any chances
of a comeback were shut when the Nashville Predators scored once again in the 13thminute. Joel Ward’s 2nd of the match from 14 feet sealed the victory for the Predators with 3-0 in their favour.
The last period of the match saw the Nashville Predators scoring twice after making 12 goal attempts. One the contrary, the home team Washington Capitals weren’t able to score out of the 7 attempts they made.
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