Smashville Scope: November 18

The Predators don't have their blinders on. They know things aren't going well, and it's up to them to fix it.
The next opportunity to end their four-game losing streak comes Tuesday night when Nashville hosts the Winnipeg Jets, and Preds Head Coach Peter Laviolette offered some thoughts on Monday as to how he views his team's current situation.
For one, the club's bench boss doesn't want to group every loss into the same category. Over the course of the last week and a half, the Predators have fallen by a 9-4 count in Colorado and a 7-2 score against Chicago.
Also mixed in is a 2-1 shootout loss in San Jose and a 5-3 defeat in Vancouver, two games where Nashville liked a lot of what they did. But, as Laviolette and his team know, being pleased with your play doesn't always equate to wins.

"They're not games that you can just say, 'Yep, if we just do this one thing, we're going to be fine,'" Laviolette said Monday. "One night, it was a penalty kill. One night, we didn't show up. One night, we couldn't catch a break. One night, we lost on breakaways. And so, there's different things that add up. And I'm not making any excuses because the bottom line is, we're in the business of winning hockey games. And we didn't get that done in the last, I'd say the last seven, eight, nine games."
In particular, the games against Colorado and Chicago - though they both saw the Preds allow more goals than they ever want to come close to surrendering - don't necessarily reflect one another either.
"For me, the scores - and they look alike - but the games don't look alike," Laviolette said. "The Colorado game we were not good. We played a flat game and a lousy game for 60 minutes, and every player in the room will tell you the same thing. That's not a reflection of who we are who we want to be as a team.
"The last game [against Chicago], I thought that we did a lot of good things. We generated a lot of chances, and they capitalized on the chances that they had, so it was a bit of a different game. The score is unacceptable in both of them. They're both losses, so that doesn't leave a good taste in the mouth, but for me, they're handled differently internally. I think what kind of stands out is that they're in a blender too [with some other] losses here, so that's kind of ugly as well."
But as Laviolette stated, he's not making excuses, and neither are his players. And the Predators are too good of a hockey team to let this go on much longer. They'll find their way out, and they hope to do so soon.
"There's such a wide gamut of how we played inside of the last eight games, but at the end of the day, there's only one win in there," Laviolette said. "There's only one win, so it's not good enough."

Irwin Named to Wall of Honor in Nanaimo:

Matt Irwin was featured in last week's Smashville Scope on his impending accolade with the organization where he spent his junior hockey days, and he has since participated in the ceremonial puck drop.
The Preds defenseman was honored Wednesday night as he became the first member on the Wall of Honor for the Nanaimo Clippers of the British Columbia Hockey League. Irwin stayed in Vancouver after the Predators flew home from their road trip and made the trip back to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island ahead of that night's ceremony.
Irwin captained the Clippers in the last of his three seasons with the team and helped them to first-place finishes during each of his campaigns in Nanaimo. The native of Victoria, British Columbia, also earned BCHL Top Defenseman honors in two-straight seasons.
Irwin's wife Chantel and his young son Beckem were among those on hand to celebrate the evening, and the blueliner received a framed jersey with his No. 44 he donned during his days in Nanaimo. Then, with Beckem in his arms sporting a "No. 52 Daddy" Preds jersey, Irwin dropped the puck on the ice he once patrolled.
Enjoy a few photos from the evening below, courtesy of the Clippers' Twitter account.

Admirals Feeling Hot Hot Hot:

The Milwaukee Admirals can't stop winning.
Nashville's primary developmental affiliate has now recorded seven-straight victories, including a 4-2 win at Belleville on Saturday night. Forward Daniel Carr scored a goal and added an assist in the win to push his point streak to seven games. Rem Pitlick has scored in three-consecutive outings, and although Yakov Trenin failed to register a point on Saturday, he had rattled off points in six straight prior to that.
Carr leads the team with nine goals and 16 points; Trenin has seven goals and 14 points. Both Troy Grosenick (.937 save percentage) and Connor Ingram (.927 SV%) have been stellar in net for the Ads.
Milwaukee's tear has put them first in the Central Division and second overall in the AHL with an 11-3-1-2 record, good for 25 points.

Preds Players Design New Headwear:

Most hockey players have an eye for style, and some of the Preds want to help you look your best while supporting your favorite team.
Filip Forsberg, Craig Smith, Kyle Turris and Colton Sissons teamed up with '47 to create a number of different hat designs, and their imaginations have become reality. Watch this video to view their designs and get a jump on your holiday shopping while you're at it!

Country Classic Women's D1 College Hockey Tournament Coming to Nashville:

You'll probably need a break from all the eating and shopping - and eating - on Thanksgiving weekend. Even though the Predators will be out of town, you can still get your hockey fix here at home.
The
inaugural Country Classic
will be held at Ford Ice Center Bellevue on Nov. 29 and 30, featuring some of the top collegiate teams in the game. This D1 women's hockey tournament will feature four clubs: the Harvard Crimson, the University of Minnesota Gophers, the Wisconsin Badgers and the Boston College Eagles.
Each team will play once on Friday and once on Saturday with puck drops coming at 1 and 4:30 p.m. CT. Tickets are now available online for $15 per game or $50 for a full weekend pass.

Goal of the Week:

Save of the Week:

Quote of the Week:

Preds defenseman Mattias Ekholm on why he wanted to start his On Ice with Ekky youth hockey program:
"It's a no-brainer to try to give back as much as you can, and this is something that comes close to my heart for me. The fun I've had with hockey, all these youth tournaments and then playing games, making friendships, I mean even today, 10 of my best friends are from when I played hockey at a young age. I guess that's kind of why it's close to my heart."

Shot of the Week:

…and there's more where that came from.
Preds at Canucks Photo Gallery
Preds vs. Blackhawks Photo Gallery

The Week Ahead:

Tuesday vs. Winnipeg Jets, 7 p.m. CT
TV: Fox Sports Tennessee Radio: 102.5 The Game
Buy Tickets
Thursday vs. Vancouver Canucks, 7 p.m. CT
TV: Fox Sports Tennessee Radio:102.5 The Game
Buy Tickets
Saturday at St. Louis Blues, 7 p.m. CT
TV:Fox Sports Tennessee Radio: 102.5 The Game

Predators Official Podcast, Episode 61:

Predators forward Austin Watson joins the Preds Official Podcast to chat about fatherhood, golf, the NHL Winter Classic and signing a new contract. Thomas Willis and Brooks Bratten recap the Preds recent four-game road trip and reveal more details about the 2020 NHL Global Series.

Upcoming Bridgestone Arena Events:

Looking for more than just hockey at the home of the Preds? Here's what's coming to Bridgestone Arena.
This Week's Shows:
Saturday, Nov. 23: The Last Waltz Nashville: An All-Star Celebration of the Band's Historic Farewell Concert - featuring Darius Rucker, Michael McDonald, Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Nathaniel Rateliff, Warren Haynes, Jamey Johnson, Lukas Nelson, Margo Price, Don Was, John Medeski, Cyril Neville, Dave Malone, Bob Margolin, Terence Higgins and Mark Mullins & The Levee Horns. This once in a lifetime concert event includes a rare, very special appearance by music icon Robbie Robertson of The Band.
Click here for tickets
.
Sunday, Nov. 24: Fourth Annual Scott Hamilton & Friends - the biggest names in figure skating performing alongside the greatest names in music for a night the whole family will enjoy, featuring Sheryl Crow, Kenny Loggins, Gavin DeGraw, Meryl Davis, Charlie White and many more.
Click here for tickets
.
Coming Soon:
Zac Brown Band - April 25, 2020.
Click here for more information
.
Alabama - July 18, 2020. Tickets on sale Friday, Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. CT.
Click here for more information
.
Harry Styles - July 28, 2020. Tickets on sale Friday, Nov. 22.
Click here for more information
.
Camila Cabello - Sept. 22, 2020. Tickets on sale Thursday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. CT.
Click here for more information
.

Week in Review:

Santini, Olivier Excited for Opportunity, Hope to Make Impact with Preds
Bridgestone Arena to Host the 2020 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game
Predators Reassign Salomaki to Milwaukee
Recap: Preds Frustrated in Loss to Blackhawks
Ekholm Launches Youth Hockey Program, Introduces Nashville Youth to Sport
Preds, Bridgestone Arena Add Entrances, Expand Safety Features
Preds Predict Winners at 2019 CMA Awards
Recap: Preds Conclude Road Trip with Loss in Vancouver
Fabbro Returns Home, Excited to Play NHL Game in Vancouver for First Time
Josi, Weber Excited to Skate in Hometown with Preds