If you’re looking for a sophomore slump, you’ll just have to look elsewhere. NHLPA.com Player of the Week, Viktor Arvidsson, posted a pair of three-point performances as he continues to rocket past expectations.
The 5’9” forward went 5-2–7 to lead his Nashville Predators in goals and points. His five goals were good for a share of first while his seven points were also tied for second in overall league scoring.
The Skellefteå, Sweden native scored a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks at Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday. He tied the game at 1-1 in the first period off of a beautiful feed from Colin Wilson to beat Jacob Marksrom shoulder-high. His second goal of the night was a power play game-winner, which earned him first star of the game honours.
In a 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers Thursday at Madison Square Garden, Arvidsson stayed off the score sheet, but it took just one day for the 23-year-old to storm back with a vengeance.
Arvidsson went on to post his first career hat trick Saturday as the third star of the game, despite a losing effort by Nashville as the team fell 7-4 to the Florida Panthers. Though he’s found a home on the Predators’ top power play unit, Arvidsson also seems to have developed a knack short-handed production. His second goal of the game came with a man down, and it was also his third of the season - which tied a league high for short-handed goals. His five short-handed points also lead the Predators.
In the second of a back-to-back at home, Nashville picked up a 5-3 win against the Dallas Stars to split four games, as Arvidsson picked up an assist on a goal by Roman Josi to wrap up his week.
Twice undrafted, Arvidsson’s 18 goals lead his team as a result of a team-high 175 shots in the 2016-17 season. Arvidsson sits just one point behind Ryan Johansen as the Predators’ top point-getter with 39. He also leads Nashville forwards with a plus/minus rating of +16.
For a complete listing of the 2016-17 NHLPA.com Players of the Week, click here.
