Predators' Evangelista at 100 NHL Games: 'I'm Just Living a Dream Right Now'

It feels like just yesterday that the Nashville Predators were selecting him 42nd overall in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft; but just like that, rookie winger Luke Evangelista is set to skate in his 100th career NHL game on Sunday against the New Jersey Devils.

Evangelista made his NHL debut with the Predators on Feb. 28, 2023 after being recalled in the middle of his first season with the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals. He made a significant impact down the final stretch for Nashville, recording seven goals, eight assists and a +7 rating in 24 games. He averaged over 16 minutes of ice time per game in the absence of many of Nashville's core veterans last season as the Predators made a late push for a playoff berth, though they ultimately fell just short.

Evangelista made the Predators' NHL roster out of training camp this season, but his impact was not as immediate. In 50 games before the All-Star break, he posted nine goals, 13 assists, 91 shots and -4 rating while averaging 13:34 of ice time per game.

"In terms of the play, I think, the first half of the year I felt like I was kind of figuring it out," Evangelista said. "I was getting adjusted to a new system, a full season at this pace. With this schedule, it's a new experience; I'm just kind of getting used to it."

Adjusting to the rigors of a full 82-game season while learning an entirely new offensive system under first-year head coach Andrew Brunette, Evangelista had his work cut out for him. He has taken everything that his first NHL season has thrown at him in stride, however, and seen steady improvement in his overall game. In 25 games since the All-Star break, Evangelista has six goals, six assists, 56 shots and a +5 rating while averaging 14:14 of ice time per game.

"[In the] second half of the year, maybe even after All-Star break, I've been playing with more confidence and feeling like I'm having a more of a positive impact," Evangelista said. "Especially on our line, it's good chemistry and we're really having good shifts and we've been able to produce a little bit. So, that's kind of our focus – just having a positive impact on the team... whether it's a good offensive zone shift, a big goal, whatever it is."

Evangelista has played up and down the lineup for the Predators this season, but he has recently hit his stride on Nashville's third line alongside Mark Jankowski and Tommy Novak. Evangelista is tied with Novak and Colton Sissons for fifth on the team in goals (15), while ranking eighth in assists (19) and seventh in total points (34). He also ranks among the top-10 among all NHL rookies in all three categories.

For Evangelista, the stat lines are secondary. The true reward is in the journey to 100 games, and the confidence perspective he's gained along the way.

"Honestly, it's been it's been a ton of fun," Evangelista said. "I'm just living a dream right now, playing as a rookie in the NHL. It's been an awesome year."