Four Surprising Predators' Stats from the First 41 Games

Cody Glass 17 games played, 1 goal, 1 point

This was not the first half of the season Cody Glass was hoping for. After the departures of Matt Duchene and Ryan Johansen, 2023-24 was poised to be Glass's time to step into a bigger role as a second line center. 

Instead Glass has played just 17 of 41 games after injuries. On October 19, Glass left the game against the Rangers and November 20 he left in the final minutes against the Avalanche with lower body and upper body injuries respectively. Glass has also been a healthy scratch at different points. 

It hasn't just been the physical recovery that has been challenging for Glass but also the mental recovery that has to happen after dealing with injuries. Glass returned to the lineup against the Ducks Tuesday night after being a healthy scratch for a few games but centered the fourth line between Phil Tomasino and Michael McCarron. This isn't where we expected Glass to be in the lineup or on the stats sheet at the midway point in the season. 

Gustav Nyquist 10 goals, 33 points

Barry Trotz's signing of Gus Nyquist may have been slightly overshadowed by landing Ryan O'Reilly, but the changing role for Nyquist over the course of the first half of the season has produced noteworthy results. It appeared in training camp the plan was to partner veteran Nyquist with young Glass for a potent second line, but with Glass's injuries and no young player ready to step up into a top line role, Nyquist found a spot with O'Reilly and FIlip Forsberg. The result has been impressive through 41 games. 

Nyquist's speed and playmaking were obvious assets, but his scoring ability and consistency — he currently hold the longest active point streak in the league with eight games — has resulted in a half season of impressive stats. His ten goals have Nyquist on pace for his best goal scoring season since 2017-2018, and he could potentially set a career high in points if he continues to produce at this level. 

22-18-1

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises in the first half of a season in which Trotz set lower expectations is the Predators' current record. Young players like Luke Evangelista and Juuso Pärssinen haven't found consistency yet. Saros has struggled behind a shaky defense. Injuries to Glass and Luke Schenn changed the lineup for significant stretches. Despite all that, the most surprising stat after 41 games may be that the Predators are above .500 and in the hunt for a wildcard spot. 

Once the top line of Nyquist, O'Reilly, and Forsberg found their groove, they have carried the team offensively. Saros has been good in plenty of games and Lankinen has been solid in his starts. While depth players aren't contributing consistently yet, there are glimpses of what this roster could do if three or four players settle into their game. 

It might be easier to predict what will happen at the trade deadline and come playoff time if the Predators had been more consistent in more recent games. They have looked strong against postseason poised teams but also outplayed and outmatched against some of the league's worst teams. These stats explain some of the highs and lows, but in the next 41 games the Predators will have to decide which team they can be in 2023-2024.