The Nashville Predators have found ways to win this season even though they may not be as skilled on paper as a number of other teams. There are a lot of factors that go into this, but one I would like to highlight here is the clutch play of Filip Forsberg that has contributed to many wins.
The Predators' leader in goals and points has proven that he can get the job done, but when the game is tied, he has taken his game to a whole new level this season, more so than anyone else in the league.
Forsberg may not lead the league in goals, but he ranks 12th with 35. When it matters, he manages to find the net at the highest rate in the NHL. Two ways we can judge that is through game-winning goals and overtime goals.
Forsberg is tied with four other players for the most game-winning goals in the league with nine this season. The other four players include Nathan MacKinnon, Sam Reinhart, Kyle Connor, and Elias Pettersson. That is some good company to hold, but that's not the only goal category Forsberg is atop of.
Nashville goal!
— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) March 14, 2024
Scored by Filip Forsberg with 18:31 remaining in the 3rd period.
Assisted by Gustav Nyquist.
Winnipeg: 0
Nashville: 3#NSHvsWPG #GoJetsGo #Preds pic.twitter.com/fwRf40hqbS
He is also tied for the league lead with three overtime goals this season. There are four other players tied here as well, but there just so happens to be no repeats as Auston Matthews, Bo Horvat, Cole Caufield, and Thomas Harley each have three as well.
Forsberg is the only player who is tied in first in both game-finishing categories and to this point in the season, has been the most clutch player. Having someone like this on a playoff team can very well make a huge difference and he will be a factor for the Predators.
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