Smashville Scope: Fathers Trip Returns

They may have seen their six-game home point streak (5-0-1) come to an end on Saturday, but the Nashville Predators have had plenty of wins off the ice this week.
As the Preds gear up for an action-packed week featuring a four-game slate, get caught up on the latest happenings in Smashville:

Dads in Tow

One of the week's biggest highlights was the Predators' Fathers Trip, a biannual tradition making its return after a hiatus during the Covid-19 pandemic. Fathers of Predators players, coaches and staff joined the team for their recent trip to Tampa to experience life on the road and take in the Preds' game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at AMALIE Arena.
"As a hockey player, your dad is your first coach," Matt Duchene said. "He's your first teacher. He's your mentor. As a boy, you always look up to your dad… I wouldn't be here without his sacrifice and the effort he put into my career."

As special as it was for the players to bring their dads along for a road trip, it was equally as impactful for the fathers themselves.
"I know it's a professional hockey league, but when you get the dads together it becomes real," said Vince Duchene, Matt's father. "You get to know real people from small towns, and it's just amazing meeting guys that are in different professions in life… It brings it back to real life. I actually feel like it pulls the team a little bit closer together. It's pretty special."
For photos and highlights from the trip, click
here
.

Hitting the Lanes

Ryan Johansen, Nino Niederreiter and Cole Smith laced up their bowling shoes and hit the lanes alongside fans at Hermitage Strike and Spare Tuesday as part of the Preds Foundation's Ninth Annual
Preds and Pins Celebrity Bowling Tournament
.
Back after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament raises money for the 365 Pediatric Cancer Fund presented by Twice Daily, which helps fund pediatric cancer research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.
"It's great," Johansen said. "You don't kind of realize how much you miss these things and just seeing the kids smile and hang out with them and just kind of make their day and do the best you can to help them enjoy themselves and have a fun night. It's so good to be back out here doing things like this and today, I'm really enjoying it."

Milwaukee Admirals Update

The Milwaukee Admirals wrapped up a season-long five-game road trip on Saturday, going an even 2-2-0-1 over that stretch. Nashville's AHL affiliate currently has a 15-7-1 record and still sits atop the Central Division with 31 points.
Center Tommy Novak still leads the Admirals with 22 points (10g-12a). His 10 goals are also a team high. Milwaukee's Yaroslav Askarov currently ranks ninth among all AHL goaltenders with a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 2.42.

Goal of the Week

Assist of the Week

Video: OTT@NSH: Niederreiter gets a goal for Predators

Save of the Week

Predators Official Podcast

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer have a lot of fun talking with former Predators player and current broadcaster Hal Gill. Skillsy discusses his 16-year playing career, which included winning and losing in the Stanley Cup Final with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He chronicles his day with the Cup, weighs in on how the game has changed over the years and discusses the current state of this Predators team.

Coming Soon to Bridgestone Arena

Dec. 13: Edmonton Oilers vs. Nashville Predators
Dec. 14: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Dec. 19: Edmonton Oilers vs. Nashville Predators (again)
For more information on events and tickets, click
here
.