Smashville Scope: December 1

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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Years from now, most will look back on Filip Forsberg's four-goal night and remember just that - how No. 9 in Gold became just the third player in Predators franchise history to tally a hat trick and then some - in a 6-0 victory over Columbus.
But forever a humble hockey player, Forsberg was interested in directing the credit to his teammate and linemate, Mikael Granlund, who was busy setting his own records on Tuesday night in Nashville.
Scoring four goals in a single game is a rare feat, but Granlund's performance to make it happen is perhaps even more impressive when given the proper attention.

Granlund collected a primary assist on each of Forsberg's four tallies on Tuesday to mark just the 12th time in NHL history that one player had the primary assist on each of a teammate's four or more goals in a game. Plus, it's only happened three times in the last 40 years - once earlier this season when Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins teamed up with Patrice Bergeron - and twice in the 1980s when Brent Sutter and Mike Bossy did so.
After posting a four-assist effort just a few weeks ago in a 4-3 overtime win in St. Louis, Granlund also became the first player in Preds history to record two four-helper outings in a single season.
That's a lot of apples, and that's just what Granlund has done to lead the club with 25 points through just 20 games.
"I think the unreal part of it was Granny's passes," Forsberg said of his linemate in the win. "I don't know how he made them happen. But I mean, all four goals are just tee ups, and I finished them off obviously, but the last two I didn't have to do too much. I think most of you guys in this room would have probably scored both of those as well."
That's certainly debatable - and unlikely - but Forsberg made his point. Granlund, along with the third member of the trio, Matt Duchene, and Forsberg have combined to form a formidable unit, much like they have at times over the past couple of seasons in Nashville.
At the current juncture, they seem to be playing arguably their best hockey together, and that's excellent news for the Predators in the ultra-competitive Central Division.

"I think [Granlund] is obviously a pass-first guy," Forsberg said. "Every time he has the puck, he likes to find guys… He's been playing incredible, I'd say, all season. I'd say the same with Dutchy. I think we're all very similar players in a way. We think the game the same way, and obviously our physical attributes are not the same. Dutchy is smaller, quicker, and I'm a little bigger and slower. But I can shoot it, and it works well. Like I said, with Granny, it's just trying to get open and give him the puck, win battles, give him the puck and get open."
"Granny does a lot of good things," Predators Head Coach John Hynes said. "I think they have a lot of good chemistry right now between the three of them, but his ability to see the game and make plays, and then guys connect on the plays, is pretty impressive. I believe there was a stat that it's the first time in franchise history that a player had two, four-assist games, and that's pretty impressive with what he's able to do, see the ice, and then not only just see the ice, but be able to execute and make the plays at the right times."
Odds say Granlund, who owns six multi-point outings this season after tallying four such games in 2020-21, won't be adding too many more four-assist nights to his stat line this season, but odds always allow for the unexpected, too.
So far, Granlund has done the expected - and then some - and the Preds are reaping the benefits. Yes, Forsberg put the puck in the net on Tuesday, but don't forget about everyone's favorite Granny who just keeps dishing up the fruit.

Preds Prospect L'Heureux Earns Spot on QMJHL Team of the Week:

Zachary L'Heureux continues to show why the Predators selected him in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft last summer.
L'Heureux, who plays for the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, scored two goals and added four assists in a pair of Halifax victories over the weekend to earn high marks for his efforts.
From the Mooseheads: "The Nashville Predators first-round draft pick returned from a four-game suspension on Friday and scored twice, including the game-winner on the power play, to lead the Mooseheads to a 5-2 victory over the visiting Rouyn-Noranda Huskies. The Mercier, QC native followed it up with an even better performance in Saturday's 5-4 overtime victory over Blainville-Boisbriand at Scotiabank Centre. L'Heureux notched four assists in the win, including a beautiful play and pass to set-up Zack Jones for the game-winner.
"L'Heureux is third in team scoring this season for the Mooseheads with 23 points in 14 games. He has eight goals and 15 assists while maintaining a +/- rating of +10."

Predators Foundation, Nashville Fire Department Hosting Toy Drive Dec. 4:

The holiday season has officially arrived, and you can help make it brighter for Nashville children in need.
The Nashville Predators Foundation, empowered by SmileDirectClub, and in partnership with the Nashville Fire Department, will host its annual toy drive this Saturday, Dec. 4, when the Preds welcome the Montreal Canadiens to Bridgestone Arena (6 p.m. CT). All fans are invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy as they enter the game on Saturday evening - or fans may purchase items from the Foundation's Amazon Wish List. Check out the Tweet below for more information, and add one more item to those shopping lists for a good cause.

Milwaukee Admirals Update:

The Admirals have traded wins and losses in their last four outings, but they remain at the bottom of the AHL's Central Division as November concludes with a 5-11-1 record.
Cole Schneider leads the team in scoring with seven goals and 17 points in 15 games, followed by Matt Luff (6g-8a) and Cody Glass (1g-13a) who both have 14 points. Defenseman David Farrance has one goal and 10 points on the season, and Rocco Grimaldi has five goals and seven points in eight games since being assigned to Milwaukee earlier in the month.

Jockey Strong:

Goal of the Week:

Assist of the Week:

Save of the Week:

Predators Official Podcast:

The 2021 Thanksgiving episode is here with a healthy dose of hockey and food talk. Predators Forward Development Coach Sebastien Bordeleau joins the show as the Preds make their way through Toronto and Montreal, while Brooks Bratten and Kara Hammer discuss Matt Duchene's hot start and their favorite Thanksgiving side dishes and desserts.

Upcoming Bridgestone Arena Events:

In addition to Predators hockey, there are plenty of other exciting events coming to Bridgestone Arena. Make plans to attend your next concert or show today.
Coming Soon:
Dec. 3: Evanescence and Halestorm with special guest Lilith Czar.
Click here for tickets
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Dec. 5: Nelly with special guests Jimmie Allen and Blanco Brown.
Click here for tickets
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Dec. 10-11: RESCHEDULED: Chris Stapleton's All-American Road Show.
Click here for tickets
.

Two Weeks In Review:

Forsberg Scores Four as Saros, Preds Shut Out Blue Jackets
Predators Acquire Kole Sherwood from Ottawa
Preds Finish Back-to-Back Set with Loss in Colorado
Josi Hits Milestone, Helps Preds to Bounce-Back Win Over Devils
After 32 Seasons, Preds Trainer Agnew Thankful to Become NHL Rookie
Preds, Metro Nashville Police Partner for Annual Thanksgiving Deliveries
Forsberg Scores Twice in Return as Preds Fall to Golden Knights
Preds SuperGrant is Transformational for Nashville Adult Literacy Council
Kunin Launches T1D Fund to Help Children with Type 1 Diabetes
Trenin, Johansen Lead Preds to Win Over Ducks to Begin Homestand
Preds Foundation Awards SuperGrant to Nashville Adult Literacy Council
Duchene Tallies Hat Trick as Preds Fall in Montreal
Strength and Conditioning Coach Continues to Keep Preds in Top Shape
Bridgestone Arena Nominated for 2021 Arena of the Year by Pollstar
Rittich Brings Experience, Camaraderie to Preds Goaltending Group