Gustav Nyquist's career year for Nashville Predators crucial in extending record point streak
Down a goal late in the third period to the Vegas Golden Knights, the Nashville Predators needed another clutch goal from veteran Gustav Nyquist.
It was a huge moment for the Predators, allowing them to extend their franchise record point streak to 18 games, but one detail from the goal shows why Nyquist is one of the craftiest veterans in the game.
With 7:03 left in regulation and the Predators on a power play, Nyquist received a pass from Ryan O'Reilly after a net front scramble in front of Golden Knights' goalie Jiri Patera.
Instead of putting an immediate shot on net, Nyquist gave a hard shot fake to get Patera to drop down slightly. This change in timing — combined with the quality of the shot fake — created more space in the upper part of the net for Nyquist.
Gus Nyquist is one crafty vet!
Here’s a quick rewind ⏪📺 from this pivotal moment in the Preds’ 5-4 OT win over Vegas. pic.twitter.com/klZJe5FAr8— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) March 27, 2024
Nyquist immediately took advantage, sending a wrist shot just over Patera's right shoulder, tying the game 4-4.
Gustav Nyquist's veteran smarts paying off for Predators
This wasn't just a fortunate bounce or a lucky shot. This was a moment that demonstrated Nyquist's thorough understanding of the game.
Patera had been playing well all night, especially in his lateral movements and puck tracking. A simple pass from side to side wouldn't be enough to create the separation needed to score.
Nyquist's experience and hockey sense allowed him to see an option others might not have seen, to create an opening that wasn't there before. The shot fake was high quality, but it was Nyquist's intelligence and awareness that made the goal happen.
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The Nashville Predators have been the beneficiary of Nyquist's veteran craftiness all season. He has a career best 65 points this season, including a career best 45 assists.
On Tuesday, in what was the team's 16th win in their last 18 games, we saw just how valuable Nyquist has been to the Predators all season.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Predators points streak extended by Gustav Nyquist
