NHL scores 2016: Predators are back in the hunt with points in 7 of their last 8 games

Don’t look now, but the Predators seem to be getting back on the horse. Nashville’s early season struggles have been quite a surprise considering Pekka Rinne is holding really solid numbers, but what many predicted would be a Stanley Cup year for the Predators has had an underwhelming start.

In a strange combination of poor defensive play — considering the firepower their back end holds — and horrific backup goaltending by Marek Mazanec, the Predators came into Thursday with a 6-6-3 record.

Yet, Nashville has been playing much better hockey as of late — minus their 6-2 loss in Toronto on Tuesday. The Predators have gotten points in seven of eight hockey games so far in November, including Thursday night’s 5-1 win over the Senators. They look more cohesive as well, and are finally starting to reap the benefits of having dynamic playmaker P.K. Subban in the lineup.

James Neal is on a six-game goal streak. Rinne has performed above expectations with a .933 save percentage in 13 games played. The defense has played a tighter game, though there are still problems that need to be fixed.

The Predators are actually in great position in the Central thanks to the slow starts of the rest of the division. Chicago could still be chased down at 24 points and the Predators’ 17 points has them within striking distance of the Stars and the Wild just above them. Even better for the Predators? They’ve only played 16 games, the lowest in the division tied with the Wild and bottom-dwelling Avalanche. That extra game or two can be the difference between a playoff berth and a trip home down the stretch.

So yes, you can probably put away those panic buttons, Nashville. Take a deep breath and enjoy the ride.

Lightning 4, Sabres 1
Flyers 5, Jets 2
Maple Leafs 6, Panthers 1
Predators 5, Senators 1
Blues 3, Sharks 2
Wild 1, Bruins 0
Stars 3, Avalanche 2
Canucks 3, Coyotes 2 (OT)
Ducks 3, Devils 2
Kings 4, Oilers 2

* * *

* * *

1. The Maple Leafs continue to be dominant at home

Much has changed for Toronto this year. A batch of young players, a new logo. Oh and just 17 games into the season, they’re halfway to tying their home win total from last season.

Much of their success this year is due to kids like Mitch Marner, who scored an elite-level goal in the Maple Leafs’ 6-1 win over Florida.

2. Edmonton has hit a wall

After starting the season 7-1, the Oilers have seemingly fallen off a cliff. With just two wins in their last 10 games, we’ve gone from hopeful playoff surprise to same old Oilers. The goaltending duo of Cam Talbot and Jonas Gustavsson have gone cold. Edmonton has looked sloppy and disorganized. Their comeback was for naught after the Kings pounced on a shorthanded opportunity just 34 seconds after the equalizer. It’s a mess right now in Edmonton, but will head coach Todd McLellan pay the price?

3. Dave Hakstol’s gamble worked, for now

There was a rumbling in the Force on Thursday around noon. The Flyers announced that defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere — runner up to the Calder Trophy last year — was being healthy scratched for on-ice performance issues. Now, Gostisbehere’s surface numbers as an offensive defenseman — 10 points in 17 games — aren’t near his level from last year, but in fact his defensive numbers have him as one of the Flyers best blue liners.

The move was, well... hated to say the least by Flyers fans. Yet, taking one of Philadelphia’s most dynamic players off the ice didn’t hurt them as much as you’d believe. A few defensive lapses almost cost them but better netminding and a five-goal performance lifted the Flyers over the Jets 5-2. Now, for the betterment of the game, let’s hope Gostisbehere is back out there for the Flyers next game on Saturday.

The injury bug has not been kind to the NHL, but it struck in a very scary way on Thursday. Coyotes’ forward Brad Richardson collided into Canucks defenseman Nikita Tryamkin, causing Richardson’s right leg to buckle under his weight on a freak incident.

Richardson was taken to the hospital for evaluation, but the Coyotes announced it as a lower body injury.