Smashville Scope: February 11-17

The Smashville Scope presented by JOCKEY prepares fans for the week ahead with news, videos and clips from the past week, plus, game and event info for the next seven days. Use promo code "GOAL" to save 25% on your next JOCKEY purchase.
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The NHL has postponed and rescheduled plenty of games this season due to COVID-19 issues, but calling off a pair of contests due to extreme weather conditions causing record-low temperatures and widespread power outages was a new one.
That's exactly what the Predators and Stars dealt with in Texas on Monday and Tuesday as their back-to-back set, scheduled to take place at American Airlines Center in Dallas, was postponed due to the unprecedented circumstances.

Landing in Dallas on Sunday afternoon looked just like a trip to Winnipeg in the middle of February with single-digit temperatures, and once the Preds made it to their hotel, the snow came - and so did the windchill. Conditions didn't improve much during the day on Monday, and approximately one hour before the Preds and Stars were supposed to face off Monday night, the League and the Dallas Mayor's Office made the decision to postpone the game.
The second postponement came Tuesday morning ahead of what was supposed to be the second half of the back-to-back for the two clubs later that night, once again due to power outages caused by record cold in Dallas.
Despite all of the issues, the Predators and Stars tried to find ways to play at least one of their games, and Preds General Manager David Poile told 102.5 The Game Tuesday morning the organizations discussed a number of contingency options with the League to make something happen. Those included potentially a Wednesday afternoon game, either in Dallas or back in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena, but all parties ultimately decided to simply move along and look to reschedule the contests later in the season.
The NHL announced Tuesday afternoon the two games between the Preds and Stars will be "rescheduled for dates to be announced later."
Instead of preparing to face the Stars again on Tuesday afternoon, the Predators departed for Dallas Love Field and jetted off to Columbus a day early to prepare for a pair of games against the Blue Jackets on Thursday and Saturday.
If the Predators - and all of us, for that matter - have become accustomed to anything over the past year, it's that just about every scheduled appointment is written in pencil. Being flexible is the only choice the Preds have on this road trip, and they'll now go five days between games - having last played Saturday night against Detroit.
Columbus is cold and snow-covered too, as is much of the country, but things are looking up in a new city as the Predators look to collect some points before returning home to Nashville. Stay tuned!

Josi Becomes Father for First Time:

Add Roman Josi to the Preds' dad's club.
Nashville's captain and his wife, Ellie, welcomed their first child, a boy, into the world late Friday before the Preds hosted the Red Wings on Saturday. Luca James Josi was celebrated via Instagram with posts from Ellie, and the Josis were understandably overwhelmed with joy for the occasion.
"It's been surreal the past couple of days," the defenseman said Monday in Dallas of what it's been like to become a father. "The whole process is pretty cool to see your son now, and I got to spend some time with him for two days. Mom did amazing, it was a long labor, but she did great. So, we're very happy and obviously very excited."
Josi joins teammates Matt Duchene, Pekka Rinne and Mattias Ekholm that have all recently welcomed children, with forwards Viktor Arvidsson and Calle Jarnkrok remaining on the list of Preds that will soon add members to the family.

Sign Up for Preds Blood Drive with the American Red Cross:

Preds fans already helped to save more than 10,000 lives in 2020, and you can raise that number in 2021.
The Nashville Predators are teaming up with the American Red Cross again to host blood drives all over the region from Feb. 22 to 26. All presenting donors will receive a Preds and Red Cross branded foam puck and be entered to win a Preds and Red Cross branded puck signed by a current Preds player.
To make an appointment visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code Preds19, and click here to learn more about the partnership.

Chicago Wolves Update:

With the Milwaukee Admirals electing to sit out the 2020-21 season in the AHL, the Predators are utilizing an agreement with the Carolina Hurricanes and the Chicago Wolves to serve as Nashville's AHL affiliate this season.
Predators prospects Cole Smith, Tanner Jeannot, Rem Pitlick, Tommy Novak, Tyler Lewington, Jeremy Davies, Lukas Craggs, Patrick Harper, Frederic Allard and Philip Tomasino are currently on the Chicago roster, and many are making an impact.
The Wolves are a perfect 5-0-0-0 to start the season, including a 3-2 win over Rockford on Tuesday night. Tomasino scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in that victory, and he's second on the team in scoring with three goals and six points in five games. Jeannot has two goals and four points in four outings thus far, and Pitlick has scored three goals in four games for the Wolves.

Mic'd Up, Presented by Dr Pepper:

Preds forward Colton Sissons wore a microphone last week in Nashville's 3-2 win over Detroit. Enjoy Preds Mic'd Up, presented by Dr Pepper.

Goal of the Week:

Assist of the Week:

Save of the Week:

Quote of the Week:

Preds goaltender Pekka Rinne on what's led to his success this season:
"I put a lot of expectations, a lot of pressure on myself, and if you're not playing well, I can be sometimes too hard on myself. I really try to enjoy this and really try to enjoy every single game I play and everything about this locker room, coming into work every day and really appreciating everything. Obviously, knowing the fact that I don't know how many more years I've got, so I really just appreciate everything I have right now."

Shots of the Week:

Predators vs. Red Wings Feb. 11 Photo Gallery
Predators vs. Red Wings Feb. 13 Photo Gallery

The Week Ahead:

Thursday at Columbus Blue Jackets, 6 p.m. CT
TV: Fox Sports Tennessee Radio: 102.5 The Game
Saturday at Columbus Blue Jackets, 6 p.m. CT
TV: Fox Sports Tennessee Radio: 102.5 The Game

Predators Official Podcast:

The Predators fight to find their form at the 15-game mark of the 2020-21 season. After injuries to several key players, Nashville claims a victory over an old rival (7:30). Milwaukee Admirals GM & Predators Director of Player Development Scott Nichol joins the podcast to talk about the Predators' top prospects: Tomasino, Pitlick, Carrier and others (17:55). Thomas Willis and Brooks Bratten answer fan questions about the logistics of the taxi squad and the relevance of home-ice advantage (45:45).

Week in Review:

TSU Student Gaining Invaluable Experience as Ford Ice Center Intern
Predators Prospect Report: February 16
Tonight's Nashville at Dallas Game Also Postponed
Nashville at Dallas Game Postponed
Predators Assign Frederic Allard to AHL Chicago
Preds Conclude Homestand with Loss to Red Wings
Rinne, Fabbro Lead Preds to Win Over Red Wings