First Period
Is it insulting we're getting Kevin Lankinen in net?
Things get exciting fast as Marner gets a breakaway on his first shift.
A Marner breakaway to start pic.twitter.com/DMnf6C8YXA
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 10, 2023
Domi with a great shot off a good move and a good location! Lankinen has it though.
This is the entire period thus far. The Preds look confused by some not all that fabulous Leafs offence.
Nashville is backing up a lot and the Leafs are taking advantage of it pic.twitter.com/HcVp7vZDAA
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 10, 2023
Lajoie and Timmins both getting in the offensive action, as the Leafs suddenly can move the puck around at will.
But of course the Leafs take a penalty defending at the end of a long shift by the third line. This does not look like a penalty to me, but what do I know?
McCabe was called for hooking pic.twitter.com/0wP9xSKQoy
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 10, 2023
Samsonov gets an assist from the post in traffic post-PK. He's now actually made some serious saves, but almost all of them have been in the second half of this period.
Matt Knies draws a penalty with just over two minutes to go.
Leafs can't get set up and when they do Matthews whiffs on a shot. I mean... he never does that.
Thoughts
McCabe came out of the penalty box and no one at all knew where he should go as the Leafs were now in their own zone with three defenders. Shows the problems you get playing with unfamiliar recalls. Lajoie has looked pretty good so far, though.
Preds bad:

Second Period
The Matthews line comes out dominating possession like they did in the first.
David Kämpf draws a tripping penalty, and one hopes every pass isn't broken up this time. It's better, but they aren't really connecting. Nashville is PKing well in this game.
Sheldon Keefe tried that blending of the bottom six where Reaves and Järnkrok swap places, and the result was a long period of trying to get through the neutral zone. I get it, Domi and Robertson had a couple of offensive moves that looked interesting but they are sub 40% in Corsi. But short of just making them the fourth line fulltime, what's the point? It's not like the Preds are playing well here, if those guys can't keep up, Reaves is not helping.
Luke Schenn does us a favour and takes a penalty. He has a plausible innocent face, I'll give him that, but he is guilty.
This is a better power play, but Mitch Marner playing the bumper makes me miss Nazem Kadri.
chaos in front as Timmins throws the puck on net pic.twitter.com/EEEA9GJHsq
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 10, 2023
There's eight minutes left and Nashville actually makes Samsonov make a save.
There's something so enjoyable about a Kämpf goal (he's been very good overall too).
clean feed from Timmins to Kampf pic.twitter.com/cguD4EMoaP
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 10, 2023
1-0 Leafs
I know he was fresh of the bench, but should Kämpf beat your defence like that?
Okay. There it is. Nylander and Matthews doing it like we know they can.
from the d-zone to the o-zone pic.twitter.com/EmhbzAwUow
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 10, 2023
2-0 Leafs
Nashville with a late powerplay and they get a very loud ping, but not a lot else.
Thoughts
Woll Jr. and Woll Sr. pic.twitter.com/ePGHBMc677
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 10, 2023
Timmins has been making a statement in this game.
Preds were dead in that period.
Third Period
Leafs open strong, getting to the Nashville net with ease.
dancin' Mitch pic.twitter.com/eszLQF6tC7
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 10, 2023
Domi roaring right at the net, and he back passes to Robertson. They are so predictable, but have had some good offensive zone efforts tonight.
Domi line with another good rush, and this time they draw a penalty.
Domi himself was then very good on the power play.
The third period is all Domi line, and they have another strong shift. They got roasted for two periods vs Boston, but came on later, so maybe it's their thing.
Nashville doubles their offensive efforts with one brief flurry of offence. This is not hyperbole, they've been that dull up to now.
Jake McCabe lays the body on Luke Evangelista and then has to fight a guy for about 16 seconds. Evangelista hit the glass at a weird spot, but is okay.
McCabe's hit on Evangelista started it pic.twitter.com/owpRAeOX0F
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 10, 2023
McCabe vs Sherwood pic.twitter.com/acyrE4HwVK
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 10, 2023
They each get five for fighting which will run to almost the end of the game.
Nylander and Knies with a two on none and the pass is just not that good. Knies is brought down, but no penalty shot because Knies never had the puck.
Knies is hooked on the 2-on-0 with Nylander pic.twitter.com/xkxms9UifH
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 10, 2023
Okay, redemptions from Mr. Nylander as he sets up this one to make it 3-0 Leafs.
Nylander to Matthews once again pic.twitter.com/Dsba39QAWr
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 10, 2023
Benoit takes a penalty to save a goal when Samsonov is over there when the puck is over here.
Nashville with another post, but then the Leafs start clearing with ease, and Noah Gregor makes it 4-0 Leafs on an ENG.
Noah Gregor gets the empty net goal shorthanded pic.twitter.com/qTLU1nArsH
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 10, 2023
Thoughts
Saw a couple of iffy moves from Samsonov that tells me he's not really over this "where is the post?" thing, but only a couple. But what the hell, it's a shutout, dammit.
Leafs Win! Next game is Monday on the Island.
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