NHL players have a multitude of ways they prepare for a season & settle into their routine after the lengthy offseason.
Through nine games the Nashville Predators have seen a five-game skid & discourse on the ice during those contests. It’s cost them pivotal moments & through the grind, players are seeing slow but steady progress on the ice.
“To me, there’s a few things that happen. We’ve had major breakdowns, we’ve trailed in almost 50 percent of the games we’ve been down & I think when you’re down early in the year & chasing games, you lose a little bit of your structure & your detail because you’re working so hard to get yourself back in the game,” head coach Andrew Brunette said.
“We’re lacking the small little things that are kind of hurting us right now. It’s not allowing us to be connected & not allowing us to get to our identity. When you’re chasing a game, like I said, you’re a little helter-skelter & you’re giving up chances, you’re creating chances but it’s not a viable way to play to be successful in our league. You need the energy, fatigue is going to set in & we’re wasting a lot of energy chasing games right now.”
Defensively the Predators have seen success in individual battles, in the corners & in the dirty areas. Defenseman Brady Skjei is still acclimating into Brunette’s system, however, a veteran like Alexandre Carrier believes once you build off small victories the consistency begins to bleed over into the team as a whole.
Carrier notched his first goal of the season against the Columbus Blue Jackets, now that he’s found the back of the net it supports his mentality moving forward.
“It gives you a little bit of swagger, I think. And then I feel like, when you score, because I know I don’t score a lot of goals, I feel like the team gets a boost as well,” Carrier said. “Then we all start going a little bit more. So, yeah, it does give you a little boost, at least for me, at least more confidence on the blue line.”
Before Carrier set foot on the ice for the regular season he needed to be comfortable not only physically but mentally. He works with a “mental guy” back home that caters to his needs.
It’s allowed Carrier to mature in his game & take his play to the next level. Carrier will meet with him once a week, or two if he’s too busy based on his schedule.
“As an individual, it’s important to set goals that are realistic. At the same time, I’m not gonna set myself like a 50-goal season, right? But it’s like, okay, let me get two shots on net per game,” Carrier said.
“And then even though your game sometimes is not going the way you like or the team game is not going the way you like you can look back to those goals and be like, okay, I won 55% of my battles that game. That’s a plus. Two shots on net, I’m trying to create something like that.”
Carrier’s hard-working mentality earned him his NHL stripes to be an everyday player. The kicker is he had to harness his talent & match that with a healthy mindset. Approximately two years ago he was frustrated that things weren’t falling his way.
“I was in my head because I was thinking about hockey twenty-four-seven, so for me, it’s about when I get to the rink it’s all business. When I’m at the house that’s my quiet time,” Carrier said.
“I do meditation a lot, that helps me to calm my mind. Then my sleep schedule is huge for me. If I get off my sleep schedule, I feel a bit off & more anxious.”
Defenseman Luke Schenn also found the back of the net five games ago & knows after that shot went his way there’s more work left with 73 more contests to play.
“The guys that have a role to score goals & get paid to score goals, it’s different pressure on their shoulders,” Schenn said. “Things start to open up when you get one & that’s coming from a guy that doesn’t get one very often.”
Every day is a challenge & no matter what it’s important to remember there’s enjoyment to have in the grind of a grueling season.
“You’re constantly trying to find ways to improve on the ice. Find ways to take care of your body, get rest, & be present at home,” Schenn said. “The whole thing, it’s a constant grind & a challenge, & you continue to work on it, mentally & physically. That’s the only way how is to take it one day at a time.”
Follow Nick Kieser on Twitter/X: @KieserNick
Photos courtesy of the Nashville Predators
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