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Vegas Golden Knights must shut down Preds ace Duchene

By Andrew Steele-Davis

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 10: Matt Duchene #95 of the Nashville Predators celebrates after scoring his first goal as a member of the Nashville Predators against the Washington Capitals during the third period of a 6-5 Predators victory over the Capitals at Bridgestone Arena on October 10, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 10: Matt Duchene #95 of the Nashville Predators celebrates after scoring his first goal as a member of the Nashville Predators against the Washington Capitals during the third period of a 6-5 Predators victory over the Capitals at Bridgestone Arena on October 10, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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There is no doubt that the Vegas Golden Knights are going to have to find a way of putting the shackles on Matt Duchene if they are to beat the Nashville Predators tonight (7:00 p.m. PT).

In what is an early and mouthwatering showdown between two Stanley Cup contenders, the Vegas Golden Knights will be looking to get past their Western Conference rivals and secure a third straight win.

It won’t be easy, though.

The Predators are one of the favorites for a reason and they boast a stacked roster, starting with the goaltending and running through to an elite forward unit.

Filip Forsberg, Ryan Johansen, Viktor Arvidsson and Mikael Granlund, the Predators have enough firepower to sink a small fleet of battleships but their main offensive threat is a newcomer.

We are of course talking about Matt Duchene.

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The elite scorer – who is just as talented with a guitar in his hand – was one of the biggest prizes of free agency after racking up 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 10 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets in the postseason.

There was a long list of suitors for Duchene’s services but it was Nashville who won the race, signing the center to a seven-year, $56,000,000 contract with an average annual value of $8,000,000.

And the 28-year-old is living up to his price tag so far, leading the Predators in points with nine (two goals, seven assists) and two points on the power play.

Duchene is currently logging an average of 18:24 minutes of ice time per night, winning 46.8 percent of his faceoff draws and he has a shooting percentage of 14.3 through five games.

Not only that but the left shot has a Corsi of 62.3 and an oZS% rating of 68.5 so, in other words, Duchene has come exactly as advertised for the Predators so far.

He pivots a dangerous second line also featuring elite wing Filip Forsberg and Mikael Granlund, with the trio having combined for 20 points through five games.

NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 25: Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene (95) is shown during the NHL preseason game between the Nashville Predators and Carolina Hurricanes, held on September 25, 2019, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 25: Nashville Predators center Matt Duchene (95) is shown during the NHL preseason game between the Nashville Predators and Carolina Hurricanes, held on September 25, 2019, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

That is one explosive line and it will present some matchup problems for the Golden Knights tonight, given that they are also going to have to pay attention to Nashville’s equally dangerous top line which features Ryan Johansen and Viktor Arvidsson.

But it is clear that the Predators’ offense now runs through Duchene and he’s also a cornerstone of the power play, so the Golden Knights are going to have to be disciplined to ensure they stay out of the penalty box.

Duchene is the type of player that elevates the play of those around him and it is clear Granlund in particular is benefitting immensely from playing with a high-end pivot, while Forsberg is one of the best snipers in the game and he’ll get plenty of opportunities to fire the puck at goal with Duchene feeding him sublime dishes.

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Hockey is a team game but Duchene is a star in the NHL and he can single-handedly inflict damage and punishment on a team.

He’s at the peak of his powers right now and the Vegas Golden Knights are going to have play smart hockey in their own zone and throw the shackles on Matt Duchene if they are going to improve to 5-2-0 tonight.

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