Why Nashville Predators coach Andrew Brunette deserves credit for win over St. Louis Blues
Andrew Brunette is showing why he's the perfect coach for the Nashville Predators.
Not only does he have the Predators (44-28-4) within two games of clinching the playoffs − after most thought they wouldn't be in the hunt for the postseason at all − he showed his ability to game plan perfectly ahead of big matchups.
Prior to Thursday's game against the St. Louis Blues, Brunette made two key lineup changes, bringing Anthony Beauvillier into the lineup over Cody Glass and bumping Luke Evangelista up to the top power play unit.
In the Predators' 6-3 win over the Blues (40-32-4) at Bridgestone Arena, that change made all the difference.
Beauvillier scored an important power play goal with 31 seconds left in the second period − his first goal for the Predators since coming over in a trade from Chicago − giving the Predators a 3-1 lead going into the third period.
Anthony Beauvillier's first goal for Nashville comes on the power play. Hunts down a loose puck on the back door to give the Preds a 3-1 lead going into the 3rd period. pic.twitter.com/P9SMhqAT5z
— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) April 5, 2024
On the play, Luke Evangelista collected the puck in front of Blues goalie Jordan Binnington, creating a rebound in front for Gustav Nyquist. Beauvillier, who stayed on the back side of the net for a potential rebound, was rewarded with a loose puck.
"You've got to put those in the net," Beauvillier said of the goal. "It was a great play by (Evangelista) there and with (Nyquist) in front of the net, just had to tap it home."
HOW HE GOT HERE: Why the Nashville Predators traded for Anthony Beauvillier
That goal gave Nashville a two-goal lead and plenty of momentum heading into the third period. Assisting on the goal was Evangelista, who made several quick passing plays on the power play unit.
"I thought (Evangelista) made some tremendous plays," Brunette said after the game, adding the team's pace on the power play was much quicker.
Though Brunette would be the last to take credit for the win, his recognition of Beauvillier's hockey intelligence and Evangelista's playmaking ability should not go unnoticed. It was a key change to the lineup that contributed directly to the win.
Nashville is four points from clinching the playoffs. They can clinch on Saturday if the Predators beat the New York Islanders and the Blues lose in regulation to the San Jose Sharks.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Predators coach Andrew Brunette deserves credit for win over Blues
