Jankowski Scores in Predators Debut as Nashville Defeats Calgary 4-1

Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene each had a goal and an assist for the Nashville Predators in a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome on Thursday.
Kevin Lankinen made 29 saves for the Preds, who had lost seven of their past eight games (1-6-1) coming into the matchup vs. Calgary.

THREE TAKEAWAYS

Janko Shines Against His Former Team
Prior to Thursday's game, President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced that the Predators had recalled forward Mark Jankowski from the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals. Jankowski led the Admirals in points (9) and was tied for the team lead in goals (5) through seven games to begin the 2022-23 campaign.
In his Predators debut on Thursday, Jankowski picked up right where he left off in Milwaukee. His strength and aggressive net front presence paid off late in the first period, when he buried the rebound on a Michael McCarron shot to give the Preds an early 1-0 lead.

Originally drafted by Calgary in the first round (21st overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Jankowski is entering his seventh full professional season since making his NHL debut in 2016-17. Prior to his Predators debut Thursday, he had recorded 80 points (42g-38a) in 272 career NHL contests, the majority of which came with Calgary (208) during his four seasons with the Flames from 2016-20. He established a career-high 32 points (14g-18a) in 79 games with Calgary in 2018-19.
Fil Stays Filthy
With his goal in the second period, Filip Forsberg now has eight points through his last four games and holds the team lead in points with 11 (4g-7a). He recorded his second three-point game of the season Tuesday at Edmonton and tallied three assists on Oct. 27 vs. St. Louis. Tuesday was Forsberg's 32nd career three-point game, the most in Predators history.

Lanky Stands Tall
Making just his third start in the Predators crease this season - and only his second in North America - Kevin Lankinen put on a 29-save performance and earned his second win of the 2022-23 campaign. Lankinen held the Flames scoreless through two frames, blocking all 16 shots he faced through the first 40 minutes and fending off a late second-period onslaught.

THEY SAID IT

Josi on Nashville's Performance
"I think we played well right from the start. We had a really good first period and I thought it was one of our best periods all year. We put a lot of pressure on them and got a lot of shots off and a lot of zone time. And then even in the second, I thought we started well and came out aggressive. We had a little bit of a push from them in the third, which was expected, but I just thought overall it was a really good team game."

Jankowski on getting called up and scoring against his former team:
"I'm just trying to play my game. I'm trying to be good on both ends of the ice and trying to be good in the D-zone and create offense however I can. So, I think coming in here and just having the trust of the coaching staff and to have them telling me to go play my game paid off."
Lankinen on getting the start against Calgary:
"Well first of all, we played a great team game. Right from the get go, we were on the game and we were in control. So, it was just easy for me to play behind the team like that. So, I've got to give credit to the guys for helping me out and making my life easier. So, it feels great. We'll take every win we can get and with this kind of effort that was great and encouraging."

Hynes on Nashville's improved performance against Calgary:
"I thought tonight we played with a lot of purpose. Our puck execution was good. When there were times to make plays, we made them and when it was time to manage the puck and set our game up to a pursuit game, it was strong. Special teams were a big factor in the game, so I think it was certainly more of the game that gives us the best chance to win. We haven't had a lot of those, where we've done the right things and guys got rewarded for it. And tonight we did. We made some good plays and guys capitalized on the opportunities. I just thought the guys played the way that gives us the best chance to win. And we've gone through a little bit of a struggle here, but I just think our mindset, our energy level and our attitude was right and so it's nice to see the guys get rewarded for the work."
Josi on playing with D-man Jordan Gross in his first game as a Nashville Predator:
"He was great. It was his first game for the Preds and he played really well. He's such a smart player. He reads the game really well, skates really well and makes great plays, so it was a lot of fun to play with him in his first game."

Lankinen on Nashville's defense:
"It was stellar, and the penalty kill especially. We didn't give them much because it's been a big focus point for us and we've been doing a pretty good job and shutting them down tonight was a big part of the wind. So, it was great and I've got to give credit to the guys.
Hynes on Jankowski's Debut Performance with Nashville:
"Credit to Mark. He had a really good training camp and it was a tough decision to send him down, but we ended up doing it and he went down to Milwaukee and he was the hottest player there. He's played in a lot of situations and now he gets called up here and winds up scoring the first goal and not only the first goal, but he's taking a key faceoff with a six-on-five and with basically a minute and a half left. So, it was nice to see him play the way that he did tonight… He played well enough to make the team out of camp, but we had to make certain decisions. But I think the fact that he's played he's had good success at the AHL level and that he's a really smart player - the thing that helps us is that he's so versatile. You saw it in the faceoff circle tonight. He's Excellent. He can play on the powerplay, he's a good penalty-killer and his experience and his understanding of being sent down and called up and being ready to play was evident tonight."

UP NEXT

The Predators will continue their swing through Western Canada with a visit to the Vancouver Canucks Saturday at 8 p.m. CT.