Smashville Scope: Preds Ride Three-Game Win Streak Into All-Star Break

The Nashville Predators closed out the first half of the season with a bang, recording three consecutive wins on home ice and carrying a 24-18-6 record into the NHL All-Star break.
After Matt Duchene scored twice to lead the Preds to a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday, Nashville eked out a 2-1 win over Central Division rival Winnipeg on Tuesday and completed the season sweep of the New Jersey Devils with an exciting 6-4 victory on Thursday.
Before goaltender Juuse Saros heads to Sunrise, Fla., to represent the Preds at the 2023 NHL All-Star Game later this week, here's a look back at some of the highlights from the past week in Smashville.

Evangelista, Askarov Receive AHL All-Star Bids

Predators prospects Luke Evangelista and Yaroslav Askarov are headed to the AHL All-Star Classic. After Askarov and forward Tommy Novak were initially given the All-Star nod earlier in January, Evangelista was named in Novak's stead on Friday - and for plenty of reasons.
The 20-year-old winger currently leads the Admirals in points (t-30) and assists (22) in his debut season with the club. Additionally, Evangelista currently leads all American League rookies in assists and is tied for third in points.
For more information on the Admirals rookies, their All-Star Classic debuts and more, click
here
.

P.K.'s Coming Home

The Predators announced this week that they will honor former defenseman P.K. Subban on Monday, Feb. 13 when the team hosts the Arizona Coyotes at Bridgestone Arena. Subban, who played three of his 13 seasons with the Preds, announced on Sept. 20, 2022, that he was retiring from the NHL.
The three-time NHL All-Star defenseman was a prominent figure both on and off the ice. During his time in Nashville, Subban launched P.K.'s Blueline Buddies Program - an initiative to bring together youth and law enforcement. During every Nashville Predators home game, Subban brought together a member of the Metro Nashville Police Department with a big and little from Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Subban was an integral part of the Preds' 2017 Stanley Cup Final run, the 2018 Presidents' Trophy and back-to-back Central Division titles. He had 130 points (35g-95a) in 211 regular-season games played with the Preds and 24 points (7g-17a) in 41 Stanley Cup Playoff games before he was traded to the New Jersey Devils in 2019.
For information on the schedule of events, tickets and more, click
here
.

Milwaukee Admirals Update

Nashville's AHL affiliate kicked off a six-game homestand with a perfect back-to-back set, earning an 8-4 win over the Rockford IceHogs on Friday and a 4-2 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday. Kiefer Sherwood recorded a hat trick in the win over Rockford, which earned him the first-place spot in the AHL's 'Three Stars of the Night.'
Sherwood now ranks 15th across the AHL in goals with 18, and he leads Milwaukee's skaters in both goals and points (18g-13a-31pts). Luke Evangelista leads the team in assists with 22.

Goal of the Week

Video: NJD@NSH: Forsberg skates in and snaps home a shot

Assist of the Week

Video: WPG@NSH: Jeannot gives Predators lead in 3rd period

Save of the Week

Predators Official Podcast

Darren McFarland and Kara Hammer catch up with Predators Head Coach John Hynes as the team heads into the All-Star break. He talks about beating Los Angeles, Winnipeg and New Jersey before the break and weighs in on an important team meeting after the loss in St. Louis. Hynes also discusses Alexandre Carrier defending one of his teammates and how it will now cost him some time. He even shares his thoughts on Askarov making his first NHL start.
Darren and Kara also catch up with Predators Beat Reporter Emma Lingan before she heads down to Sunrise, Florida to cover the NHL All-Star Game.

Coming Soon to Bridgestone Arena

Feb. 3: Winter Jam Tour
Feb. 4: My 2000's Playlist
Feb. 7: Nashville Predators vs. Vegas Golden Knights
For more information on events and tickets, click
here
.
Haley Hart contributed reporting to this story.