The Masked Man: Colin Wilson

Countless stories portray a masked man as a mysterious threat, almost undoubtedly a villain. Yet for forward Colin Wilson, donning a full mask after sustaining an upper-body injury has led him to play the role of hero for the Nashville Predators.
So maybe that makes Wilson more Dark Knight than Darth Vader (or Kylo Ren for the younger audience).
Like the aforementioned fictional characters, Wilson wrestled at first with the adjustment to different sightlines and the impracticality of having his entire face shielded.
"In college I had the cage, and that's what I went to immediately, they put the cage on my helmet. But I couldn't do it," Wilson said prior to Thursday's game versus the Stars. "I got a new visor - the last one was a little busted up - so it hasn't been too much of an adjustment."

Mask in place, Wilson has proceeded to hit his current, season-high point streak of three games (1g, 2a). The new setup hasn't slowed him down on the ice at all, but Wilson has certainly had to adapt.
"The only issue is with it fogging up," Wilson said. "If you see me get off the bench, before a faceoff, I have to do a quick lap to get the air in there and get the fog out. That, and you just have to be wiping it down after every shift. When you're sweating it gets all over it, so as long as it's not fogged up, it's pretty much the same thing."

Putting James Neal, following his return from injury, back on a line with Wilson has also helped to rejuvenate chemistry amongst the trio (along with Mike Fisher) that tore up the 2016 postseason for the Preds. On Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche, Wilson made a subtle pass down the wall to Neal, who immediately fired a puck over the shoulder of Semyon Varlamov.
"That line, we tried it at the beginning of last year, we were going on chemistry that we had, but I don't think we were playing the same way that we are now," Laviolette said of Wilson's line. "We went back to it again, so on that line right now I'm looking for some chemistry that I've seen before. I like the game they played last game, and hopefully, they can get that chemistry going again tonight."
Laviolette said he's seen Wilson deliver the results that he expects from the 27-year-old winger all season long, whether he's wearing the shield or not.
"I think Colin has been going all year. I think he's been excellent." Laviolette explained. "He's been a big body that's been moving his legs, he's scored some big goals, he's given us some quality minutes. I think now with James back in the lineup, we have balance in all four lines. When you put Neal with Fisher and Wilson, now you have a big, strong line that's dangerous too. I think, Colin, no matter who we've played him with or where he's been, I think he's been a solid player for us all year long. He's been good offensively, solid defensively, and he's working for it right now."

Wilson's consistent production this season may undermine the theory that his mask has anything to do with his three points in three games, but the forward admits there may still be something there.
"I guess I'm seeing the ice a little better, maybe I'm feeling a little more protected out there," Wilson said. "It's been working."
Morning Skate Notes:
Ryan Ellis (Injured Reserve; upper-body) and Colton Sissons (IR; upper-body) took part in the team's morning skate on Thursday in Dallas. Neither player is expected to return to the lineup tonight.
Laviolette said defenseman Adam Pardy will make his Predators debut this evening. The veteran blueliner skated alongside Yannick Weber during the morning session.
A projected lineup for the Predators
may be seen here
.
A video preview and three things to know for tonight's contest
may be viewed here
.