Smashville Scope: May 12-18

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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Filip Forsberg opened the scoring, as the Predators began their stint in the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Monday night, and while his first-period tally was one of the prettier goals he's scored in the postseason, it came as no surprise.
The Swedish winger added to his playoff totals as Nashville's top postseason scorer in franchise history with goal No. 27 and point No. 50 in game No. 66 with the Preds. Forsberg has a comfortable lead in the categories as well - Ryan Johansen, who assisted on Forsberg's goal, is next on the playoff point list with 43 to his name (14g-29a), followed by Roman Josi with 36 points (10g-26a).

When it comes to goal scoring, Forsberg's 27 are well ahead of Johansen and James Neal who are tied for second with 14 playoff tallies apiece. Former Preds David Legwand, Colin Wilson and Shea Weber are all tied with 13 goals, and Viktor Arvidsson is ready to tie those individuals with 12 postseason goals in his career.

Forsberg also holds the franchise record for most points in a single postseason (16), set in 2017 during Nashville's run to the Stanley Cup Final, and he matched those totals in just 13 games in 2018.
And, while we're on the topic, enjoy this appreciation post acknowledging Forsberg's mustache, also in playoff form.

More Ice Coming to Middle Tennessee:

The popularity of hockey, figure skating and the like continues to increase in Middle Tennessee, and the Predators are helping to deliver ice once more.
Sabertooth Sports & Entertainment, LLC (SS&E), which is owned and operated by Predators Holdings, LLC,
has announced the development of a new ice center in Sumner County at The Goat Farm
. This is the fourth location SS&E and the Nashville Predators have created to grow the sport of hockey throughout Middle Tennessee since 2014 - in addition to the Ford Ice Centers in Antioch and Bellevue, SS&E will manage soon-to-be-named, in partnership with F&M Bank, Montgomery County Event Center in Clarksville, which is scheduled to open during the 2022-23 season.
The new development is part of a public-private partnership between the SS&E, Sumner County, the City of Gallatin and the City of Hendersonville.
The development of the roughly 100,000-square-foot facility, which will feature two sheets of ice, public and private locker rooms, a weight room and hockey pro shop, among other amenities, will be partially funded by the NHL and NHLPA Industry Growth Fund.
The two rinks, which will meet NHL standards and offer seating for more than 1,800 spectators, will be part of a broader development at The Goat Farm that is expected to contain retail and restaurant space, residential units, entertainment opportunities and a planned hotel.

"As I've said before, the environment we've created in Antioch and Bellevue - and will create in Montgomery County - is something everyone in Smashville should be proud of, and we are thrilled to be able to bring that same enthusiasm for growing the game to Sumner County," Predators President and CEO Sean Henry said. "Since we first opened Ford Ice Center Antioch in 2014, we've been able to see the benefits of our public-private partnerships come to life, from the economic impact to the growth of youth and adult hockey. As we move forward with this development in Sumner County, we want to thank county leadership, the cities of Gallatin and Hendersonville, Stratos Development, Randy and Alex Smith and the NHL and NHLPA for helping turn what once was a vision of expansion in the Middle Tennessee community into a reality in the near future."
SS&E and Stratos Development are working toward finalizing an opening date in the summer of 2023.
Click here for more information on the new development.

Preds Playoff Pride:

While the Preds are on the road in Carolina, and even when they return home for Games 3 and 4, there are plenty of ways for fans to love for their team in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with watch parties, Preds Pride Pickups, game-day offers and so much more.
The next Bud Light Watch Party comes Wednesday night for Game 2 at Corner Pub Brentwood starting at 6 p.m. CT. Those in attendance can enjoy beer specials - including $3 Bud Light drafts and $13 Bud Light buckets - Predators swag and ticket giveaways to future playoff games.
When the Preds return home for Games 3 and 4, there will be plenty of festivities to partake in as well. Bridgestone Arena Plaza Parties are set to begin three hours before puck drop for Game 3 at 3 p.m. CT. Fans can join GNASH and the Energy team for live music, Preds Pride giveaways, ticket giveaways, food and beverage offerings, games and much more. Predators partners, including 102.5 The Game, Bridgestone, Hattie B's, Jack Daniels, RE/MAX, Tennessee Lottery will also be activated on the Plaza.
A Walk of Fame Preds Party in the Park is set to begin two hours before puck drop with fun for the whole family.

The ever-popular SMASH CAR, donated by PSC Metals and presented by Crushr, has also returned to the Bridgestone Arena Plaza for the 2021 Playoffs. At watch parties prior to all home games, fans can try their hand at smashing the SMASH CAR, with all proceeds benefiting the Predators Foundation.
Click here for all the details on the postseason fun
.

Chicago Wolves Finish AHL Season with Central Division Title:

With the Milwaukee Admirals electing to sit out the 2020-21 season in the AHL, the Predators utilized an agreement with the Carolina Hurricanes and the Chicago Wolves to serve as Nashville's AHL affiliate this season, and the campaign has concluded with Wolves taking home the AHL's Central Division title.
Predators prospects Anthony Richard, Sean Malone, Cole Smith, Lukas Craggs, Patrick Harper, Luke Evangelista, Tommy Novak, Philip Tomasino, Frederic Allard, Josh Healey and Connor Ingram finished the season on the Chicago roster and helped contribute to the success throughout the season.
Chicago finished the campaign with a 3-1 victory over Rockford to collect win No. 21 in 32 outings over the course of the past few months.

Novak posted two assists in the regular-season finale to finish with a 10-game point streak, and Tomasino (13g-19a) was tied with Novak (8g-24a) for the team lead in scoring with 32 points apiece. Tanner Jeannot, who is currently skating for the Predators in the playoffs, recorded 10 goals and 21 points in just 13 games for the Wolves this season.
The AHL's Central Division will not participate in any postseason competition. The American Hockey League announced last week that the 2021-22 season will begin Friday, Oct. 15.

Goal of the Week:

Assist of the Week:

Quote of the Week:

Preds General Manager David Poile on his team making the playoffs and what's to come in the future:
"We were left for dead by just about everybody, so I think it's tremendous work, what we've done and where we've come from. I'm very proud of that, but now we're in the playoffs, and our goal, eventually, is to win a Stanley Cup and we're up against it. Carolina's the second or third-best team based on points this season, and if they would have beaten us [at the end of the season], they would have won the Presidents' Trophy. They're a top team, and there's nobody in the few things that I've heard or read about that's picking us to win this series, so I'm going to find out a lot about our team and about the individuals on our team.
"I'd like to, as best possible, enjoy the time here because it's been a difficult season, but there's lots of things to be positive about for where we are and what our chances are. There's also a lot of things to be positive for going forward, but we all know that there's always changes in an offseason. We will get to that after our season ends, and hopefully that will not be in the near future."

The Week Ahead:

Wednesday at Carolina Hurricanes, Game 2, 7 p.m. CT
TV: Bally Sports South/CNBC Radio: 102.5 The Game
Friday vs. Carolina Hurricanes, Game 3, 6 p.m. CT
TV: Bally Sports South/USA Radio: 102.5 The Game
Click Here for Tickets
Sunday vs. Carolina Hurricanes, Game 4, 1:30 p.m. CT
TV: Bally Sports South/NBCSN Radio:102.5 The Game
Click Here for Tickets

Predators Official Podcast:

The 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs are here, and the Predators will face the Hurricanes in Round 1. All of a sudden, the series has gotten a bit more interesting after Nashville's two wins over Carolina this past weekend (4:10). Michael Smith of CarolinaHurricanes.com joins the show to give insight on the enemy (22:45) and his predictions for the playoff series (34:00). Plus, Brooks Bratten and Thomas Willis reminisce on what turned out to be a just-about-perfect night for Preds goaltender Pekka Rinne (42:00).

Week in Review:

Preds Fall to Hurricanes in Game 1 to Start Playoffs
Predators Postseason Preview: Five Things to Watch Against Hurricanes
Preds Continue Playoff Preparations as Series with Hurricanes Draws Near
Poile Looks Back on Unique Season, Sets Sights Playoff Run for Preds
Preds Unveil 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 1 Schedule and Promotions
NHL Announces Playoff Schedule, Preds Begin Series Monday at Carolina
Predators Prospect Report: May 13
Single-Game Preds Playoffs Tickets for Round 1 Home Games On Sale May 13
Saros Deserves Consideration for Vezina Trophy as NHL's Top Goaltender
Woo Proud to be Owner of Preds as NHL Celebrates Asian Heritage Month
Simply The Best: Relive Top Moments of Rinne's Unforgettable Night