Playing games on consecutive days is supposed to be a real disadvantage for NHL teams in the second game, but it hasn't been for Nashville. The Predators have earned at least a point in seven of 10 games they've played when that's been the scenario.
Historically, NHL teams win below 50 percent of the time in the second game of a back to back. If the second game happens to be on the road then that percentage drops to around 40 percent.
So far this season, the Preds have won 60 percent of those second game scenarios, including a 4-2-1 record when the second game has been on the road. They've been even better lately, winning five of their last six games in the back to back scenario.
Each of the last two Sundays, the Predators have needed bounce back performances after frustrating losses on Saturday. In what should have been difficult 24-hour turnarounds, the Preds were at their absolute best. They erased a 3-0 deficit to beat the Stars 5-3 a week ago, then Sunday fought off a Blue Jackets rally in Columbus to win 4-3 on Mattias Ekholm's third period goal.
The result is four huge points in the standings in two games that could've very easily gone the other way.
Considering the fact the Preds are just four points clear of the Western Conference's Wild Card cut line as of Monday night and those are four very big points.
The Predators have been up and down much of the season, failing to reach very lofty preseason expectations. But if they're able to make a playoff run later this spring, remember this resiliency.
A team tough enough to fight through the most difficult task on a NHL schedule repeatedly is a team tough enough to win under playoff pressure.
