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Filip Forsberg is fun hockey, other things we learned in Jets vs. Predators Game 6

By Bruin Belisle

WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 7: Filip Forsberg #9 and Ryan Johansen #92 of the Nashville Predators celebrate a second period goal against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 7, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images)
WINNIPEG, MB - MAY 7: Filip Forsberg #9 and Ryan Johansen #92 of the Nashville Predators celebrate a second period goal against the Winnipeg Jets in Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Bell MTS Place on May 7, 2018 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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The Winnipeg Jets and Nashville Predators played Game 6 in Winnipeg Monday. The Predators accomplished what they came to town to do, winning by a score of 4-0. Here is what we learned from the game.

The Winnipeg Jets hosted the Nashville Predators tonight in front of the largest crowd (indoor and out) in Winnipeg history. Before the game even started, the hometown team received a boost from Winnipeg Jets legend Teemu Selanne, who flew in to Winnipeg to watch potential history being made in Winnipeg tonight.

The Predators came out swinging in Game 6 with an early tip-in goal from Viktor Arvidsson that seemed as lucky as it was impressive. The Jets put the pressure on at times, but failed to crack the scoreboard before Filip Forsberg scored a beautiful goal of his own to close the second period with the Preds up two.

The Jets would have likely been down more than two entering the third if not for some stellar play from goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. “Helly” made massive saves on several one-on-one situations that kept the game within reach for the Jets.

The Predators added a beautiful goal by Forsberg in the third, as well as an empty net goal to ice the game at 4-0. We have a Game 7, folks!

The Jets and their fans would have loved to close this out in front of the home crowd, but the Preds had other plans tonight. The hockey world outside of Winnipeg should rejoice because we will be treated to a Game 7 in what has been one of the most memorable series in recent history. More great hockey for us!

Here are three things we learned in Game 6

1. Filip Forsberg is the epitome of fun hockey.

Granted, this is not something we learned tonight, but it is something that was solidified. In stone. Then sealed with Phil Swift’s Flex Seal to last for all of eternity. Filip Forsberg is special. Forsberg had two goals tonight, his second a one-up of his first when it comes to skill and beauty.

https://twitter.com/NHLGIFs/status/993687556888854528

Unbelievable. In a league full of young talent, 23-year old Forsberg often gets overlooked. At this rate that won’t happen for much longer. Next season, when Forsberg is in a battle with himself for goal-of-the-year honors, we’ll all know exactly who he is.

2. Pekka Rinne was back to his regular incredible self tonight.

Rinne, a Vezina Trophy candidate this season, has been struggling against the high-octane Jets offense. He’s let in over four goals in four playoff games. Rinne is rock-solid coming off of losses though, where he is 5-0 in these playoffs (10-2 coming of losses in the last two playoff years). Tonight, he was fantastic.

Rinne saved all 34 shots he faced tonight against the Jets, recording a much-needed shut out. He will have to provide more of the same in Game 7 on Thursday if the Predators want to return to the Western Conference final for a second straight season.

3. Neither team has won two straight games in this series.

There is no room for error between the top two teams in the Western Conference. Both teams are extremely difficult to beat, let alone twice. This is why neither team has been able to secure a second straight victory in this series.

The Predators will have to do so if they want to move on and play against the Vegas Golden Knights in the Conference Final. PK Subban, never one to be lacking in confidence, believes it can be done. He made what some are calling a guarantee to the media after their Game 5 loss.

This doesn’t really count as a “guarantee” on the same level of say, a Mark Messier (what else was Subban supposed to say — if anything, he avoided the “G” word). Subban is going to have a difficult time reversing the trend of the series, as the Jets have scored seven and six goals coming off of losses in Games 2 and 4 respectively.

Subban, his fellow defensemen and Pekka Rinne best be ready for an all-out attack in Game 7. The Jets have won handily in Nashville before and they will look to do so again on Thursday night. The Vegas Golden Knights will happily wait for whoever comes out of this series, enjoying their second extended break of the post-season.

Next: The gnarliest playoff beards in the history of every NHL team

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