Many teams in the standings have played three or four more games to this point than the 47 the Preds have seen. And while Nashville has enjoyed some stretches earlier on that may have been a bit more laid back, they were going to have to make it up eventually.
So as the group returned to the ice on Monday in preparation for Tuesday's matchup against Chicago, a contest that will commence a three-game home stand at Bridgestone Arena, there was a welcomed sight.
Filip Forsberg, who remains on Injured Reserve with an upper-body injury, traded in his non-contact jersey for regular attire, another positive sign that the Swede's return could come soon.
"It was a good day for him today at practice," Preds Head Coach Peter Laviolette said of Forsberg. "He took the [non-contact] jersey off, and that's really the first time he's had an opportunity to do that. I thought he looked good, but we'll talk after practice here and see where he's at."
Depending on when Forsberg returns, it could likely be the first time all season the Preds have iced a completely healthy roster. Defenseman Ryan Ellis, who made his season debut on Jan. 2, returned just after Forsberg exited the lineup. Combine that with the injuries teams deal with across any given campaign and it's been a while since there was a full complement.
But considering Nashville's place in the standings on Monday - one point back of the division lead with three games in hand - they've done quite well no matter who has been dressed. Now, with the unofficial start of the second half set to begin, everyone knows the push to the finish is coming.
"Hopefully not," Captain Roman Josi said when asked if the Predators have played their best hockey yet. "We always try to get better, and there's always room for improvement. We had a good first half and played some really good hockey, but I think there's still room for improvement and hopefully we can play our best down the road."
"Every day toward the end of the season it probably picks up a little bit," Laviolette said. "There's so much at stake, and I think you really start to feel it as the season winds on and it doesn't matter where you are… The games are really tight and they're really tough, so they do ramp up in the second half."
Whether or not Forsberg is there from the start to assist in the efforts remains to be seen, but even so, his return is coming. And if the Predators can go 7-1-2 without their star winger in the mix, the high hopes are justified.
"I'm really excited going forward at how good we've been playing," Forsberg said. "We've been suffering injuries throughout the whole season, but I'm looking forward to joining the guys.
"The guys have been taking care of me, the trainers have been doing a tremendous job and we're almost there."
