Despite some more encouraging performances in recent games, the Nashville Predators are still giving their all to get even a taste of the wild card spot. Their goals per game stat was at one point only better than only the Chicago Blackhawks, who sit last in the Western Conference standings by four points.
The team's defense has also been not pretty, giving up an absurd amount of high-danger chances resulting in high expected goals against (xGA) totals—the sixth-highest in the NHL at 5v5 at 2.85. However, after a rough first month, the man in the blue paint refuses to give up without a fight, and the defense in front of him continues to make him earn everything.