Predators Sloppy Play Dooms Them in 5-3 Loss to the Avalanche

Ryan Johansen was on the ice for his much anticipated debut for the Nashville Predators as they traveled to the Pepsi Center to take on the Colorado Avalanche.

While there is much anticipation about the appearance of a legitimate number one for the Predators, the importance of this game for the Predators shouldn't be lost.

The Predators hold the last wild card slot in the West, with 45 points. Colorado sits right behind them with 43 points. Patrick Roy, Head Coach of the Avalanche, called this game a "playoff game" and that only served to emphasize the importance of this game.

In a game as important as this to the Predators, their play was horrendously sloppy. They took 6 penalties and gave up 2 power play goals.

The Predators wasted a strong debut by Johansen with an abundance of penalties and sloppy play on the way to dropping a critical game by a 5-3 score.

Johansen made his presence felt immediately with the Predators on the power play. He held the puck before roofing a shot over the shoulder of Semyon Varlamov into a very small space for a Predators 1-0 lead. That was the Predators first shot of the game, and it was beautiful to see the finish and placement on that attempt.

The Avs evened the game on a power play of their own as they outnumbered the Predators down low and Jerome Iginla was able to gather in a rebound and slam it past Pekka Rinne.

The Predators got trapped in their zone late in the period and couldn't clear the puck. The turnover committed by the Predators resulted in a goal by Cody McLeod to make it 2-1.

Ryan Ellis tied the game at 2:45 of the second period with a wrist shot from the face off circle.

The Avs broke that tie as the Predators gave up a 2 on 1 and Gabriel Landeskog buried the shot to make it 3-2.

Once again, the Predators bounced back to tie the game on a wrist shot by Filip Forsberg from the slot. Johansen would pick up an assist on the play.

Tyson Barrie would break the tie with the Avs once again on the power play as he blasted a shot from the high slot to make it 4-3. On the play, Paul Gaustad's stick had broken, and he tried to get a new one from the bench. That decision left Barrie open for the shot.

And that was certainly not a good decision.

Jack Skille iced the game with an empty net goal with 1.4 seconds remaining on the clock for a 5-3 Avs win.


Some observations:

• Johansen opened the game on a line with James Neal and Colin Wilson. 
• My goodness, that first goal by Johansen showed what an elite finisher can do. He fit that shot into an extremely small window. That goal was a goal scorers goal, something the Predators have been lacking.
• Anthony Bitetto was in the line up and paired with Barret Jackman on the third D pair. 
• With the arrival of Johansen, players moved down in lines. Calle Jarnkrok centered the second line with Filip Forsberg and Mike Ribeiro on the wings. Mike Fisher centered the third line with Craig Smith and Miikka Salomaki on the wings.
• The Avalanche opened the game with lots of jump, in fact more than the Predators, which forced the Predators into three penalties in the period. The Predators got lucky in that the Avs wiped out one of their power plays with a penalty on the opening face off of the second Preds penalty. 
• The Predators defense has broken down numerous times recently, and they continued that trend again tonight. Part of this was the pressure that the Avs forecheck put on the Preds defense; part of it was that the Avs outskated the Predators for much of the game. These uncharacteristic breakdowns have cost the Predators as more often than not, the puck is finding the back of the net.
• Midway of the game, Filip Forsberg moved up to the first line with James Neal and Johansen. That lined combined for the Predators third goal of the game. they had several shifts together before Wilson rejoined that line early early in the third period.
• The undisciplined play of the Predators cost them this game. The Avs outworked the Predators all over the ice and forced them into taking way too many penalties. And the Avs have an excellent power play and they burned the Predators when they went down a man. This is the kind of play that this team cannot overcome.
• Austin Watson had a tough game, recording only 5:50 in ice time and was a -2 for the night.
• Anthony Bitetto logged 12;20 in ice time and was even +/- for the night.

The Predators looked like a team that didn't have a sense of the importance of this game. As it is, by continuing to fail to take care of business, they now find themselves tied with the Avalanche for the last playoff spot.

And if the Predators continue to struggle and play inconsistently, they won't be tied for long.

They will be on the outside looking in.

My three stars:

1. Ryan Johansen

2. Tyson Barrie

3. Carl Soderberg

Predators OT Win Over the Avalanche Continues Torrid Play On Home Ice

The Nashville Predators returned from the All Star Break to take on the Colorado Avalanche at Bridgestone Arena.

A home game for the Predators is almost a certain win this season, and although it took overtime, the Predators prevailed 4-3 to run their home record to 19-2-1.

Craig Smith scored on a breakaway at 2:46 of the extra period to give the Predators the win. Smith took a lead pass from Mike Ribeiro and beat Semyon Varlamov stick side for the game winner.

A slow first period for the Predators saw them fall behind 1-0 on a point shot from Cody McLeod past a screened Carter Hutton..

The second period was when the Predators awoke. They tied the game on a blast from Roman Josi from the top of the face off circle.

Colin Wilson gave the Predators a 2-1 lead on the power play as he gathered a shot off the end boards and beat Varlamov from a sharp angle.

Jerome Iginla beat Hutton through traffic to tie the game at 2 at 16:05 of the second period.

Just 32 seconds into the third period, Filip Forsberg gave the Predators a 3-2 lead when Varlamov paddled his shot off to the side of the net. Forsberg didn't give up on the play and lifted the puck over the shoulder of Varly for the goal.

The Avalanche pulled Varlamov with 2:16 remaining in the game for the extra attacker. Nick Holden was able to get a rebound and lifted a shot over the glove of Hutton to tie the game with 26 seconds remaining.

Hutton set up Smith's OT heroics by stopping a Zach Redmond shot and kicking the rebound to Ribeiro, who hit Smith breaking down the middle of the ice for the winning goal.

Some observations:

• After a slow and rusty first period, the Predators kicked it up a notch and took it to the Avalanche. The Predators had an 8-5 shot advantage after the first period; 22-14 after the second period; and 37-21 after the third period. The Predators held the Avs to single digit shot totals in each period and held the Avs without a shot for over 10 minutes in the third period. It is encouraging to see the team get stronger as the game goes along.
• Winning close games is critical in this league. The Predators are 20-4-5 in one goal games this season.
• Roman Josi continues to elevate his game. He has become a more consistent offensive threat with a deceptively good shot. His ability to handle the puck is exceptional. But Josi is very solid defensively and plays very good positional hockey in the defensive zone. he had 5 blocked shots tonight to bring his season total to a team leading 121.
• Filip Forsberg's goal was a beauty, following his shot and scoring from a tough angle for a team leading 16th goal. We all marvel at his ability to handle the puck and his nose for the net, but tonight he showed a gritty side to his game. He was in front of the net battling and screening Varlamov on Josi's goal, and in the third period sacrificed his body (and his stick, which was shattered into two pieces) to block a shot when the Avs were pressing in the offensive zone.
• The Predators power play was 1 for 2 on the night. They were successful on their second attempt by getting the puck to the net. Their first power play was too cute, looking for the perfect pass instead of taking the shot.
• I really liked the play of the line of Matt Cullen, Gabriel Bourque, and Calle Jarnkrok. They played with good jump and used their speed to create problems for the Avalanche. If this line can start to pot some goals, it will boost their confidence and obviously help the team.
• Colin Wilson had a strong game. His goal on the power play was from a difficult angle and was a perfectly placed shot. He used his speed and strength to control the puck and create some chances in the offensive zone. His goal tonight was his 15th of the season.
• Faceoffs continue to be a struggle for the Predators as they won 30 of 67 draws, a 45% winning percentage.
• Shea Weber led the Predators with 27:21 TOI.

It wasn't the prettiest game for the Predators, yet it was a good win. They overcame a slow start and the push back from the Avalanche throughout the game.

The Predators have 67 points and a 5 point lead over the Blues and Blackhawks, who were both idle tonight.

My three stars:

1. Craig Smith

2. Mike Ribeiro

3. Nick Holden

Predators Blow Three Leads, Fall to the Avalanche in a SO

The Nashville Predators had every chance to get their first win of the season against the Colorado Avalanche. All they had to do was hold a lead.

Yeah...about that "holding the lead" thing.

The Predators blew three leads in this game on their way to a disappointing shoot out loss to the Avs. The Predators dropped the shootout 2-1 to fall to the Avalanche 5-4 at Bridgestone Arena.

Roman Josi showed why he is quickly emerging as an very good defenseman. Josi scored the first two goals of the game, launching shots from the blue line that beat Semyon Varlamov with traffic in front. Josi's goals came at 3:33 and 9:49 of the first period.

The Predators allowed the Avalanche to close within one goal with just 54 seconds left in the period as Gabriel Landeskog skated uncontested into the high slot and beat Pekka Rinne to make it 2-1.

The Predators outplayed the Avs in the first period, out shooting them 13-3 and generating some great scoring chances down low. Landeskog's goal had the potential to swing momentum back to the Avs, though, and it was going to be critical that the Predators bring that same effort in the second period.

Instead, Landeskog struck again, tying the game at 2 with his second goal at 8:41 of the second period. Landeskog was once again able to skate into the high slot and was not challenged by the Predators, and he beat Rinne with a wrist shot.

The Predators regained the lead at 14:43 of the second as Matt Cullen scored with a wrist shot under the crossbar from in close.

Cody McLeod out worked the Predators defense and gathered in a rebound and beat Rinne to tie the game at 3 at 14:43 of the third period.

The Predators once again took the lead as Matt Cullen re-directed a pass from Patric Hornqvist past Varlamov at 15:17.

And once again, the Predators gave up the lead as Nick Holden blew past Colin Wilson and beat Rinne to tie the game at 4 at 16:01 of the third.

After a scoreless overtime, the game went to a shootout. Calle Jarnkrok scored for the Predators while Ryan O'Reilly scored and then Landeskog netted the game winner.

Some observations:

• The Predators fell to 1-8 in shootouts this season.

• Josi now has 11 goals on the season, and has 18 points (7G-11A) in his last 25 games. Josi now joins a group of only 16 defensemen with double digits in goals. The Predators are one of three teams (Boston, Pittsburgh) with more than one defenseman with double digits in goals. Josi's partner Shea Weber has 18 goals.

• I really, REALLY like the play of Jarnkrok. He picked up an assist for his third point in three NHL games and scored the Predators only goal in the shootout with a sweet move. Jarnkrok skates well and is poised on the ice and gets himself into good scoring position.

• Gabriel Bourque has points in three straight games. Mike Fisher also has a three game point streak.

• Matt Cullen had his first multi-goal game as a Predator and has 6 points in his last three games (3G-3A).

• The defensive gaffes by the Predators wound up in the back of their net. Leaving Landeskog alone twice in prime scoring territory bit the Predators and is really inexcusable. Perhaps the most egregious mistake of all was Colin Wilson allowing Nick Holden to skate right past him for the game tying goal. On the night, Wilson was -2; Eric Nystrom was -2; Nick Spaling was -3; Victor Bartley was -2; and Mattias Ekholm and Michael Del Zotto were -1.

• Seth Jones missed his first game of the season after leaving the previous game against Chicago in the first period.

• For a team that prides itself for playing tight defense, the inability to hold a lead this season has been troubling. Especially giving up a goal quickly after scoring themselves has bitten the Predators in the butt. Whether it is a lack of focus or talent, this has cost the Predators in too many games this season.

This is a game that the Predators should have won.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda.

This game encapsulates the entire Predators season: on the cusp of doing something good and giving it away in a frustrating loss.

My three stars:

1. Gabriel Landeskog

2. Roman Josi

3. Matt Cullen

Predators Defeat Desperate Avalanche 4-2

The Nashville Predators faced a desperate Colorado Avalanche team that was fighting for a playoff spot at the Bridgestone Arena. While the Predators may not have felt the same sense of desperation, being firmly ensconced in the 5th spot in the Western Conference, it was important for the the Predators to get back to their "A" game and play with their own sense of desperation and purpose.

Just 1:14 into the game, the Avs put their desperation and drive on display as Jamie McGinn potted a goal from the low slot as the Predators had a mix up in defensive coverage. Roman Josi pursued the puck into the corner and was late getting back into position, leaving McGinn alone in the low slot where he beat Nashville netminder Pekka Rinne with a quick wrist shot.

Not exactly the start the Predators wanted or needed. Giving early momentum to a hungry hockey team is does not bode well.

The Predators seized the momentum back just 1:40 later as Mike Fisher beat Semyon Varlamov for his 20th goal of the year to tie the game at 1.

The Predators would take a 2-1 lead at 6:58 of the first as former Av Brandon Yip re-directed a Josi shot from the blue line past Varlamov. Yip was screening in front at the top of the blue paint and the shot hit his leg and changed direction past Varlamov.

Yip-ee-ki-yeah...

In the second period, the Predators did a great job of establishing zone possession and controlling the puck, but could not get one past Varlamov, who made several acrobatic saves. The Predators held the Avs without a shot for over 10 minutes in the period, but could not get a puck past Varlamov.

The Avs did get several good scoring chances in the period, as Rinne made two good saves, each time leaving the puck in the paint. Once, Ryan Suter swept the puck away from former Predator Shane O'Brien, and Shea Weber played the puck to the corner past an on-rushing Avalanche forward.

With just a one goal lead and the period winding down, this game had all the hallmarks of a nail-biter going into the third period. That would change at 19:28 of the second as Sergei Kostitsyn gave the Predators some breathing room with a wicked wrist shot that beat Varlamov over his shoulder to give the Predators a 3-1 lead.

That two goal lead was important for the Predators as the Avalanche once again had the deficit down to 1 goal as Paul Stastny got loose in the low slot and beat a screened Rinne at 4:58 of the third period.

Yes, it was time to bite those nails once again.

The Predators caught a break in the third as Cody McLeod sent in a shot from the blue line through traffic that hit the crossbar and bounced down behind Rinne, who was able to cover the puck.

The Predators responded to the Avs pressure and were able to hold off their offensive push in the remainder of the third period. The Avs pulled Varlamov for the extra attacker with 1:27 remaining in the game. Paul Gaustad found Marty Erat coming through the neutral zone, and Erat buried the empty net goal at 19:16 of the third to seal a 4-2 win for the Predators.

For the game, the Predators out shot the Avs 31-17.

The Predators have 85 points, 6 ahead of 6rh place Chicago. They trail 4th place Detroit by 4 points with the Wings coming to town on Saturday.

This was a solid, workman-like effort from the Predators. 10 players had a point tonight, and that balance is going to be critical for the Predators in their remaining regular season games and especially in the playoffs.

The quick response of the Predators after the Avs early score was a display of character. The Predators broke down in defensive coverage and it cost them a goal. Getting a quick response was essential in positioning themselves to take control of the game. Colorado is a team that desperately needs points, and they are playing with a sense of urgency. The Predators matched that urgency that Colorado brought to the game and took control of the contest in the second period.

That is character.

And that is what is going to be required in their remaining games.

My three stars:

1. Sergei Kostitsyn

2. Mike Fisher

3. Paul Stastny