Grind is just fine for McLeod

It was the day after Cody McLeod scored what was arguably the biggest goal of his life.

When you’ve carved out a career for yourself as a hardworking, tough-as-nails winger who often shows up on the highlight-reel for bone-jarring hits or spirited scraps, chipping in offensively — especially during the Stanley Cup playoffs — is always a bonus.

The Binscarth, Man., product scored his first goal of the playoffs on Sunday and it turned out to be the gamewinner as Nashville won 3-1 over the St. Louis Blues, giving the Predators a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

“More of that is to come hopefully,” McLeod said in a telephone interview from Music City on Monday. “This is the type of series where it’s going to be (about scoring) ugly goals and getting to the net and stuff like that. It’s the time of the year when those ugly goals come through.”

McLeod, 32, fully appreciates the opportunity that has been presented to him.

Several months ago, the feisty forward was a member of the Colorado Avalanche, who were occupying the basement of not only the Central Division but the entire NHL.

In his 10th NHL season with the Avalanche, McLeod was in and out of the lineup and suddenly didn’t seem to fit in with their rebuilding plans.

McLeod was traded to the Predators in January for defence prospect Felix Girard.

What once looked like a lost season had transformed into an opportunity to chase a playoff spot and ultimately, the Stanley Cup.

“It was tough leaving, but Nashville has been a great place to play,” said McLeod, who signed with the Avalanche as an undrafted free agent in 2006 and made his NHL debut in December of 2007. “Everybody has been really good and it was definitely exciting to come to a contender.”

After scoring just one goal in 28 games with the Avalanche, McLeod had four goals and five points to go along with 95 penalty minutes in 31 games with the Predators.

During the first round, McLeod found himself as a healthy scratch as the Predators swept the Chicago Blackhawks.

McLeod wasn’t discouraged.

When Predators head coach Peter Laviolette inserted McLeod, Vernon Fiddler and Winnipegger Colin Wilson into the lineup for the first game against the Blues, he was determined to do what he could to stay in the lineup.

“Obviously it was a different opponent with Chicago and St. Louis,” said McLeod. “The coaches told me to be patient. There’s lots of depth on our team, which makes for good competition and for guys pushing one another. Everybody is pulling their weight.

“St. Louis plays a more grinding type of game, which is more my style. I want to make the most of my opportunity.”

Through three games of the series, McLeod is averaging 8:12 of ice time and has already racked up 14 hits.

McLeod is best known as a guy who would do anything for his teammates, which makes moments like this one all the more special — and not just for him.

“He’s a character guy and whenever he’s in the lineup, I’ve got to be honest, (he’s) one of the most fun guys to play with, the energy that he brings to the rink and just his passion for playing the game and being in the NHL and having the opportunity to play for a Stanley Cup,” Predators defenceman P.K. Subban said after Sunday’s game. “I know that he enjoys this opportunity just as much or more as everybody else.

“It couldn’t have been a better guy to score the winner than him. He just competes so hard. He gives everything he has and obviously is a well-liked guy because he stands up for his teammates all the time.”

McLeod isn’t sure what the future is going to bring, but right now he’s two wins away from reaching the Western Conference final for the first time in his career.

“It’s been awesome,” said McLeod. “To get that first round win versus Chicago was pretty neat and this series right now is bit more physical. It’s a battle out there right now. But it’s a lot of fun.”

Cody McLeod