Smashville Scope: January 19

The Smashville Scope presented by JOCKEY prepares fans for the week ahead with news, videos and clips from the past week, plus, game and event info for the next seven days. Use promo code "GOAL" to save 25% on your next JOCKEY purchase.
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Some nights are better than others for Philip Tomasino, but like any other rookie, he's finding his way in his first NHL campaign.
After tallying on the power play Tuesday night against Vancouver, the 20-year-old winger has six goals and seven assists in 35 outings with the Predators thus far, and he's shown flashes of how he was able to post 40 goals and 100 points just two seasons ago in the Ontario Hockey League.

There's a reason the best in the world all meet in the NHL, and Tomasino is showing he belongs as he continues to make improvements to his game. Predators Head Coach John Hynes knows there will be growing pains for any young player, and he's seen that from Tomasino over the past few months.
Over the weekend, Hynes provided an assessment on the young forward and where Tomasino is headed as the season progresses.
"He continues to do a good job," Hynes said. "He's a young player developing in the NHL, and I think that he's had some great games. He's had some great experiences for us, he's had some good performances, and also, I think like anything, he's learning. The grind of League, the consistent competitiveness that you need to have on the puck as an offensive guy, I think that's probably the biggest thing. He's such a good, instinctual, offensive player, and he can create scoring chances in open ice. He does some pretty good things on the power play, but I think the big thing is learning the competitiveness to be able to get puck back, stay on pucks and how does he use his skill sets against bigger, harder, older, smarter defenders?
"He's done a good job. I think there's some times where he struggled with it, but there's other times where you can see he's really on it. So, it's nice to see him continue to progress. Good kid, coachable, works hard - so I think he's in a good place."

On Tuesday, Tomasino got another boost when he converted on a snap shot from the right circle, first freezing Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko with a wind-up of the stick before neatly firing the puck into the twine. Moments like that show Tomasino what he's capable of at the NHL level, and every day brings another learning experience as he continues to improve his overall game.
"I think it's gotten better as the year has gone on," Tomasino said Tuesday night. "I'm obviously talking to our coaching staff about what I need to work on basically every day. I think the main thing for me is trying to be harder on pucks, on forechecks and maybe using my body a little more. I've tried to do that as much as I can in these past five, six games or so, and I think that's really helped me… I'm trying to learn every day and asking guys questions all the time and also asking our coaching staff questions all the time. So, there's a lot to learn, and I think I can definitely grow a lot more and I can definitely get a lot better in every aspect. But I'm just trying to get better day-by-day and trying to do the best I can to help our team win."
Hynes is seeing that progression as well, and while Tomasino has yet to establish himself as a player who receives top-line minutes, that doesn't mean he won't get there someday. Very few - if any - have a seamless transition into the best League in the world, but day by day, Tomasino is finding his way.
"To his credit, I think he's done a good job," Hynes said. "He's skating really well, he's got a lot of energy right now, he's made some good plays, but I think the thing that's allowing him to be able to have success right now is that he's upped his game competitively. That's what happens when you're a player like him that's got speed and skill and you have some offensive instincts. That consistency and competitiveness, which I think he probably spoke with you guys about, has been better, and that's good progress for a good, young player for us. It's nice to see him get rewarded for it."

Josi Set to Post Another Predators Record:

The next time one of Roman Josi's teammates scores thanks to one of his perfect passes, Nashville's captain will set another franchise record.
Josi is currently tied with former Preds forward David Legwand with 356 assists - the most in team history - and the blueliner is sure to pass the mark and then some in the years ahead. Three more of Josi's teammates - Ryan Johansen (219), Filip Forsberg (218) and Mattias Ekholm (177) are also in the Top 10 - but Josi has already pulled away and then some.
Josi also shares in the Nashville record for most assists in a single game with five, and he isn't too far behind Legwand for the team's all-time points record. Josi sits second only to Legwand's 566 with 486 points of his own, but for now, he's about to have more helpers than anyone else in this organization's history.

Preds Foundation Set to Host Wine Festival:

The vino will soon be flowing inside Bridgestone Arena, and you'll want to be here for the return of one of the Preds Foundation's top nights of the year.
The Foundation will host its 15th Annual Wine Festival & Tasting presented by Deacon's New South on Friday, March 11, on the Arena floor.

The festivities run from 6-10 p.m. CT, and general admission tickets are $89 per person. The festival will feature higher-end wines, beer, a spirit tasting, food samplings from local restaurants and an extensive silent auction. VIP tickets, including a five-course dinner and wine pairing featuring wines created by the Wagner Family in Napa Valley in the Patron Platinum Club, are $200 a person. All tickets purchased will also receive a $30 gift card to Deacon's New South.
Click here for more information and to purchase your tickets
for a one-of-a-kind experience in Smashville.

Milwaukee Admirals Update:

The Admirals followed up a pair of shootout losses in Colorado over the weekend with a 3-0 victory at Iowa on Monday night. Rocco Grimaldi tallied a goal and an assist in the win, while Zach Solow and Mitch McLain also found the back of the net. Connor Ingram stopped all 35 shots he faced for his second shutout of the season and 11th win overall.
Cole Schneider continues to lead the Ads with 13 goals and 30 points followed by Grimaldi - who also has 13 tallies - and 22 points in 22 games. Cody Glass (5g-17a) has 22 points as well, McLain has 10 goals and Egor Afanasyev has seven goals on the season.

Milwaukee hosts Texas tonight before traveling to Grand Rapids this weekend; the Ads are 14-18-2 overall with 32 points, but they're just two points out of third in a tight Central Division.

Goal of the Week:

Assist of the Week:

Predators Official Podcast:

The Predators see their win streak come to a close, but there is still much to gain. Brooks Bratten and Kara Hammer look back at Nashville's contests with Colorado and Buffalo while discussing the lessons learned as the season continues. Preds goaltender Juuse Saros is named an NHL All-Star, Roman Josi might be - plus, the NHL's Chief Content Officer Steve Mayer joins the show to discuss the upcoming Stadium Series game in Nashville. Finally, Brooks and Kara answer your questions from the week.

Upcoming Bridgestone Arena Events:

In addition to Predators hockey, there are plenty of other exciting events coming to Bridgestone Arena. Make plans to attend your next concert or show today.
Coming Soon:
Jan. 21: WWE Smackdown.
Click here for tickets
.
Jan. 29-30: Monster Jam.
Click here for tickets
.
Feb. 11: Kacey Musgraves | star-crossed: unveiled Tour with King Princess and MUNA.
Click here for tickets
.
Feb. 14: Dua Lipa - Future Nostalgia Tour with Caroline Polacheck and Lolo Zouai.
Click here for tickets
.

Week In Review:

Preds Start Homestand with Loss to Canucks
Forsberg Scores in Return as Preds Conclude Road Trip with Loss to Blues
Preds Begin Road Trip with Overtime Loss to Boston Bruins
NHL's Chief Content Officer Previews NHL Stadium Series Game in Nashville
Win Streak Concludes at Five as Preds Fall to Sabres
Saros Named to 2022 NHL All-Star Game; Josi on Last Men In Ballot
Friends, Colleagues Look Back on Helper's Career with Preds, NHL
Preds Foundation, SmileDirectClub Award $100,000 SuperGrant to CISTN
Predators Prospect Report: January 12
Duchene, Kunin Lead Preds to Overtime Victory Over Avalanche
Saros Named NHL's Second Star of the Week