For Predators' Filip Forsberg, Practice Doesn't Necessarily Make Perfect

No practice? No problem for Filip Forsberg .

Answering questions from reporters about his recent absence from team practices following the Nashville Predators ' April 4 win over the St. Louis Blues, a smirking Forsberg couldn't pass up an opportunity to channel his inner Allen Iverson :

“We're talkin' 'bout practice . ”

The Predators' All-Star winger hasn't participated in any team practices or morning skates for more than six weeks as he deals with a non-serious, but slow-healing, cut that gets irritated every time he puts on his hockey gear; but he doesn't appear to be any worse for wear. In his last 22 games, Forsberg has posted 34 points (18 goals, 16 assists), including 11 multi-point outings, a franchise-record seven-game goal streak and a career-high nine-game point streak.

“Obviously, ideally I’d be out there [practicing],” Forsberg said. “Hopefully [I] can get there pretty soon. But I just have to do what I can do in the gym, obviously, working hard there and trying to stay ready.”

Forsberg certainly seemed ready for Thursday's contest against St. Louis, when he recorded two goals and an assist to help lift the Predators to a 6-3 win and snap a three-game losing streak.

“If you ask him, I’m sure he’d like to have a few more [practice] touches," Predators head coach Andrew Brunette said. "I think if you look at his game, sometimes early on, he’s a little rusty. Then he takes over the game when he gets going.”

Forsberg first found the back of the net on the power play in the second period against St. Louis. He then scored into the empty net in the final frame for his career-high 43rd goal of the season, tying Matt Duchene's franchise record for the most in a single season.

In short, the lack of practice doesn't appear to be hindering Forsberg; in fact, it may be helping him.

“We play so many games that it’s probably beneficial [for Forsberg] down the stretch,” Brunette said. “The rest is big. He’s going to play his 20 minutes a night. He’s going to get his touches. He can rest up and get back at it. You’re playing every second night."

Forsberg's teammates don't begrudge him his less taxing schedule – but that doesn't mean they don't engage in some good-natured teasing every now and then.

“Yeah, all the time,” Predators captain Roman Josi grinned when asked if he and his teammates ever give Forsberg a hard time for missing practice. “We told him, too, maybe just take the summer off and don’t practice. But no, he’s obviously battling through some stuff. It’s pretty cool to see how he’s battling through it and playing on that level. He can stay off [the ice] as much as he wants if he keeps scoring like that.”

If recent performance is any indication, Forsberg doesn't need to practice in between games. But does he miss it?

“The morning skates, I do miss," Forsberg admitted, smiling sheepishly as he added, "Practice? We can talk about it. But this part of the season, obviously you see the guys aren’t necessarily practicing a ton either. It’s all about the games. As long as I can be ready and play hard for the guys, that’s most important.”

Forsberg will have a chance to set a new single-season goals record Saturday, when the Predators visit the New York Islanders for the front end of a back-to-back road set that will conclude Sunday against the New Jersey Devils.