Predators Stumble Out of the Gate in Loss to the Avalanche

With a chance to clinch a playoff spot on home ice against a struggling Colorado avalanche team, the Nashville Predators came out and crapped the bed.

Spotting the Avs a 3 goal lead off sloppy plays, egregious turnovers, and a lackadaisical effort for much of the game, the Predators tried to rally late but fell 4-3.

The Avs jumped out to a quick 3 goal lead in the first period. Mattias Ekholm set up the Avs first goal with a brutally bad turnover, throwing a blind backhand pass right into the slot and onto the tape of Blake Comeau, who had an easy shot past a surprised Pekka Rinne.

Gabriel landeskog made it 2-0 when he out muscled Shea Weber at the front of the net and poked the puck through Rinne's pads.

Jack Skille  made it 3-0 when he skated alone into the slot and banged home a rebound of a Cody MacLeod shot. The poor effort of the team resulted in Rinne being pulled for Carter Hutton.

The Predators showed some life when Craig Smith placed a perfect shot over the shoulder of Semyon Varlamov to make it 3-1 at the end of the first period.

After a scoreless second period, the Avs made it 4-1 off another Predator turnover. Shawn Matthias was the beneficiary and he floated a puck over the shoulder of Hutton with no Predator defender to challenge the effort.

The Predators tried to make it a game late in the third period when Colton Sissons deflected in a Miikka Salomaki shot to make it 4-2.

Roman Josi made it 4-3 with a laser over the shoulder of Varlamov, but that would be it for the Predators as they wasted a chance to capture a critical win.

Some observations:

• The Avalanche are a desperate team, and everyone knew they would come out with energy and urgency. The Predators were not ready for that effort and they were swamped early in the game. it didn't help that they played some stupid hockey. The Preds better get ready, because this was a taste of playoff hockey, and this game found them lacking in effort.
• Roman Josi recorded his 13th goal of the season, which gives him 57 points on the year. That is a new franchise record for points by a defenseman.
• The Predators are now 4-19-5 when they trail after 2 periods.
• Craig Smith hit the 20 goal mark with his first period goal. That is the third consecutive season that he has tallied at least 20 goals.
• It sure would be nice to see some production from Colin Wilson, wouldn't it? His offside play negated a goal by Salomaki and he just looks like he couldn't find the back of the net if his life depended on it.

This game was about as bad of a start that this team has had in a long while. They cannot dig the kind of hole that they did in the first period and expect a good outcome. Even worse, their level of play was awful. Stupid passes and poor puck management wound up costing them dearly.

Hopefully they get it out of their system.

If not, they will get trucked tomorrow night in Dallas.

My three stars:

1. Gabriel Landeskog

2. Craig Smith

3. Blake Comeau

Slow Start and Sloppy Defense Cost the Predators In 4-2 Loss to the Canucks

The Nashville Predators have picked up points in 14 straight games. They were looking to make it 15 with a stop at Rogers Arena to take on the Vancouver Canucks.

The Predators started the game acting like just showing up would be good for a win. The Canucks out worked and out skated the Predators all over the ice and for a full 20 minutes. That effort resulted in 2 goals in spite of Pekka Rinne standing on his head to make some great saves. Sven Baertschi and Derek Dorsett both scored off defensive breakdowns to give the Canucks a 2-0 lead.

The Predators showed some life in the second period, getting shots on net and scoring twice. Both goals were set up by great assists by Roman Josi as he set up Mike fisher for the first Predators goal. Fisher drove the slot and redirected Josi's pass past Ryan Miller. His second assist set up Colton Sissons for a sweet goal.

Unfortunately, the Predators defense broke down once again as those 2 Predator goals were sandwiched around a goal by Bo Harvat, who beat the Predators defenders to the front of the net for an easy goal.

The Predators pulled Rinne late in the third period for the extra attacker and Daniel Sedin scored the empty netter to seal the Predators fate and the game by a 4-2 margin.

Some observations:

•  How about Prince Filip dropping the gloves? Forsberg took exception to a hit on Mike Ribeiro and dropped them with Jake Virtanen. Forsberg picked up his first fighting major of his career. Good to see his response, but you hate to see him run the risk of an injury on that type of play.
• Rinne has to be superb in the first period. The Predators offense didn't bother to show up and he was under siege. The big netminder was equal to the task, including making a couple of spectacular saves to keep the game from getting out of hand. Unfortunately, the Canucks pressure and defensive breakdowns finally succeeded in getting shots past Rinne.
• The Predators sluggish starts are disconcerting to say the least. Trying to dig out of a hole is not a formula for success. Tonight, the Predators were sleepwalking in the first period and it bit them in the ass. Standing around and watching a team that will not sniff the playoffs out skate you all over the ice is incredibly disappointing.
• The Canucks first 2 goals came as a result of Predators defenders getting beat down low (Baertschi) and losing a player in the low slot (Dorsett). The defensive breakdowns left Rinne out to dry and have to be cleaned up. 
• Good to see the Predators finally wake up in the second period as their relentless pressure finally resulted in a Mike Fisher goal. Fisher's line has been playing some very good hockey of late and they have been getting some positive results.
• And yet once again,  the Predators D gets beat by a Canuck driving the net. This is ridiculous to see this happen so consistently. Horvat had a clear path to the front of the net by out hustling Ryan Ellis down the ice and to the net.
• Goodness gracious is Roman Josi good or what? What a fantastic assist on Fisher's goal and then an even better one on the goal by Sissons. Josi is a solid defenseman and an exceptional offensive talent that is so dangerous carrying the puck.
• The Predators PK has done an excellent job, killing the last 14 man advantage attempts. Some of those have been extended power plays and the Preds have shown great hustle and perseverance in killing the penalties.
• On the other side, the Predators power play has sputtered, failing on the their last 13 attempts.

The Predators were totally inept in the first period and it cost them.

Oh, and some really sloppy defense that gave the Canucks plenty of prime opportunities.

More disturbing is the fact that the Predators have look disengaged and lethargic for good stretches of their last 2 games, games against teams that are out of the playoff race.

This is an aspect of the Predators game that has to change. It's late in the season and crunch time, and the Predators have got to bring a much better effort if they want to win these games.

Bring this same kind of effort against Edmonton on Monday night and they will get embarrassed.

My three stars:

1. Bo Horvat

2. Roman Josi

3. Ryan Miller

Predators Continue to Roll, Defeat the Jets 4-2

The Nashville Predators looked to continue their point streak with a stop at the MTS Center to face the Winnipeg Jets in their last meeting of the season. Both teams have won twice in their previous 4 contests.

The points streak would continue.

The Predators won a game that was at times sloppy and at times had elements of pond hockey before capturing a 4-2 win over the Jets.

Drew Stafford opened the scoring, poking a rebound past Pekka Rinne for a 1-0 Jets lead.

It looked like that score would stand at the end of the first period as the listless Predators had not much jump.

That would change as Craig Smith would pot his 17th goal of the season off a nice rush by the Predators potent second line. Smith banged home a rebound to tie the game at 1.

The Predators took a 2-1 lead off a fortuitous bounce off the stick of Colton Sissons. Sissons was trying to center the puck across the slot and it bounced off the skate of Ben Chairot and past a stunned Ondrej Pavalec to give the Predators the lead heading into intermission.

After a scoreless second period, Ryan Johansen tallied just as a Predators power play had ended to make it 3-1.

The Jets made it interesting as Jacob Trouba crashed the net and tapped home a rebound that Rinne could not control to make it 3-2.

Craig Smith would snuff out any momentum and thoughts of a win for the Jets as he took a sweet pass from Filip Forsberg and jammed the puck past Pavalec to make it 4-2.

The Predators would hold off the Jets attack with the extra man over the final 2 minutes to secure a big win and a much needed 2 points.

Some observations:

• Paul Gaustad was out of the line up with an upper body injury and Colton Sissons was called up from Milwaukee and centered the 4th line.
• Colin Wilson dropped down to the 4th line, while Miikka Salomaki took his place on the wing on the third line.
• Craig Smith continues his hot play, with his 4th goal in his last 5 games. Smith has been skating hard and driving the net and he has been rewarded with finding the back of the net. Smith tallied his 17th goal by going to the net and banging a puck past Pavalec. A goal from the hard area, which is what the Predators need from the Honey Badger. His second goal was a result of beating the Jets defender by driving the net. Consistency, Crazy Legs, consistency.
• A bit of puck luck for Sissons as his centering pass hits a skate and deflects into the net. Nice to see Sissons with the goal, and especially nice to see the Preds get some positive puck luck. Sissons has given up his number 84 that he has worn previously and donned number 10. If he can put up points like the previous owner of that number (Martin Erat) the Predators will benefit greatly.
• Viktor Arvidsson played with lots of jump and fiestiness to his game. Aardvark gets knocked around- a lot- but he is always hustling and has a great deal of hockey sense. He is always working and creating in the offensive zone. His speed and creativity is creating some good opportunities for his line and he has settled in nicely on the third line with Mike Fisher and now Salomaki. Arvidsson was one of the best players on the ice tonight for the Predators.
• Huge, HUGE, penalty kill on the major penalty to Austin Watson. The PK worked their tails off to limit the quality chances by the Jets. That could have been disastrous for the Predators, but they showed some real grit to kill off the penalty.
• I really don't think that Watson's hit was worthy of a match penalty, but the officials reacted to the downed Jet player. This is an area that I think needs to have a booth review by the war room.
• Ryan Johansen has been playing some good hockey for the Predators but has struggled to find the back of the net. Good to see him find the back of the net tonight.
• Colin Wilson showed up tonight with 2 assists. Good effort from Wilson, who has had a miserable season. It would certainly be good to see him start to heat up.
• Rinne was solid tonight, making some good saves including a nice push across the crease to stone Drew Stafford. The goal he gave up were when the Jets were crashing the net and poking at rebounds. Rinne has been solid of late. Not spectacular, but solid, and the team is playing with confidence in front of him. This is a very good sign for the Predators as the confidence and even swagger of this team starts from the net and flows out..
• The Predators power play was 0-5. Johansen scored just seconds after a power play had ended.
• The Predators PK was excellent. They killed all 4 of the Jets man advantage chances including the 5 minute major against Austin Watson. 

This was a game that the Predators could not lose. And they did a good job of battling back in a hostile environment to secure the win.

The Predators are showing a resiliency and push that they did not show at this time last season. Rather than limping into the end of the season- like last year- the Predators are building momentum and confidence.

And that bodes well for this team.

My three stars:

1. Craig Smith

2. Colton Sissons

3. Colin Wilson

Predators Hang 5 on the Habs In 5-1 Victory

There have been games in the last few weeks where the Nashville Predators outplayed their opponent but came up on the losing end of the scoreboard.

That role was reversed tonight at Bridgestone Arena, where the visiting Montreal Canadiens outshot and outplayed the Predators but came up on the short end of a 5-1 score.

This was the first time the Predators have won back to back games in 4 weeks.

The Canadiens outshot the Predators 36-19 for the game.

The Predators did not record their second shot of the game until 8:40 of the first period, but it was a rocket from Shea Weber that found its way perfectly through a maze of bodies to beat Dustin Tokarski for a 1-0 Predators lead.

The Predators first shot of the second period came 8:22 in with the man advantage, and it was a blast from Roman Josi that hit both posts and fell into the net for a 2-0 Predators lead.

Ryan Ellis gave the Predators a 3-0 lead at 3:08 of the third period as his point shot deflected off a Habs defender and past Tokarski. That goal, the third on just 14 shots, ended Tokarski's night and saw Mike Condon take over the net for the Habs.

Calle Jarnkrok welcomed Condon to the game with a shot from the slot to make it 4-0 for the Predators.

The Habs appeared to have scored midway of the third period, but that goal would be overturned on a challenge from Peter Laviolette as it was deemed that Pekka Rinne had been interfered with trying to make the save.

Montreal would end Rinne's shutout bid with a power play goal by Alex Galchenyuk.

Colin Wilson would score the final goal on an empty netter.

Some observations:

• The Habs dominated play all night, winning puck battles, controlling the boards, and knocking Predators off the puck. It is a testament to the Predators resolve and resilience in hanging in and getting timely scoring to secure the win.
• There is no doubt that the Predators D pair of Shea Weber and Roman Josi are the best in the NHL. These two defenders have combined for 19 goals and 32 assists. Even when teams are trying to take away their space and limit their scoring chances, these guys find a way to score. Weber has 15 points in the month of December, the most by any player in the NHL. 
• Good on Colin Wilson for finally getting his game going. Wilson picked up 2 assists to go along with his empty net goal, his second of the year. Wilson played a solid game, and hopefully this gets him going. Wilson moved up to the second line in an attempt to get his game going, and it was a great call by the coaching staff. 
• I really liked the play of Colton Sissons and Miikka Salomaki. They played some hard minutes and their effort on the forecheck created some disruption for the Habs as well as being solid in the defensive zone. Sissons was also 50% in the face off circle.
• Calle Jarnkrok continues to impress and play some very good hockey. Jarnkrok picked up his 6th goal of the season and has been solid in all zones. Jarnkrok has stepped into the role of first line center and has acquitted himself well in that role.
• You have to realize how much the Canadiens miss the injured Carey Price after watching this game. The inability to make timely saves by Tokarski and Condon cost them this game, because they clearly outplayed the Predators. The Habs have now lost 8 of their last 9 games.
• The Predators have not lost in regulation to the Canadiens at Bridgestone Arena since March 10, 2003. The Predators are 5-0-3 in their last 8 games against the Canadiens.
• The Predators were 1 for 3 on the power play and killed off 2 of 3 Habs power plays.
• The Predators won 31 of 56 faceoffs, good for 55%
• Pekka Rinne was outstanding tonight. He was under pressure all game and kept the Predators in it in the first period while the Habs were bombing shots at the net. If Rinne had not been as sharp as he was, the outcome of this game would have definitely been different. Rinne tracked the puck well and frustrated the Habs with his glove and his athleticism in net. Rinne has looked like the Rinne of old in the last couple of games and that is a huge positive for this team.

Kinda nice to see the tables turned, eh?

Getting outplayed but coming up with a huge win.

Predators fans have too often recently been on the wrong side of that story, but tonight, the roles were reversed and the Predators picked up a much needed win.

Time to enjoy the holidays and come back Saturday and keep the momentum going.

My three stars.

1. Pekka Rinne

2. Roman Josi

3. Shea Weber

Predators Win A Wild One Over the Senators 7-5

Relentless.

That is the only way to describe the Predators effort against the Ottawa Senators at Bridgestone Arena.

After an atrocious first period that saw the Predators surrender goals to Milan Michalek and two to Zach Smith, the last a short handed goal, The Predators battled back to take a wild 7-5 win.

Colton Sissons, called up to replace an injured Paul Gaustad tallied a first period goal to send the Predators into the intermission trailing 3-1.

The Predators came out flying in the second period and notched three straight goals to take a 4-3 lead.

Shea Weber scored on the power play to make it 3-2.

Just 1:34 later, Roman Josi undressed Eric Karlsson with a sweet move a t the blue line, walked in and roofed shot over the shoulder of Craig Anderson to tie the game at 3.

Austin Watson deflected a puck that Seth Jones shot from the blue line to give the Predators a 4-3 lead 54 seconds after the goal by Josi.

Eric Karlsson beat Pekka Rinne for his first goal of the season just 41 seconds after the Watson goal to tie the game at 4.

Curtis Lazar scored with just 52 seconds left in the second period to send the Sens to the locker room with a 5-4 lead.

That lead would not stand up as Mattias Ekholm, Barret Jackman, and Gabriel Bourque all scored in the third period while the Predators held the Senators off the board to secure a win in a game that was more pond hockey than a structured NHL game.

Some observations:

• Big ups to Shea Weber. The Captain recorded his 150th goal and 400th point in his 699th game of his career. Weber has been a steady, physical presence on the blue line and has been a consistent scoring threat throughout his career. And in my humble opinion, there is no way Karlsson should have won his Norris Trophy over Weber two years ago. Karlsson is a one dimensional player that can amass points, but Weber is a complete player that plays well in all situations and can put up points. I'm just saying...
• Big ups to Colton Sisson. He was called up to replace an injured Paul Gaustad and recorded a goal and logged some quality minutes. He was thrown out on the penalty kill as well and was solid.
• How about the Swedish Chef, Gabriel Bourque getting his first goal tonight? Bourque plays hard and it was good to see him get rewarded for his efforts. he went hard to the front of the net and was able to bat in a rebound off the pads of Anderson for the 7th goal of the night.
• Did you notice the scoring tonight? 5 of the 7 Predators goals came from defensemen. This is a talented group of blue liners that play solid defense (on  most nights) but can activate and contribute offensively. I would suggest that this is the best blue line corp in the NHL.
• One could look at the 5 goals allowed and say that Rinne did not have a good night. He wasn't getting much help out front from the skaters in front of him and gave up some goals through traffic. Yet Rinne shut down three break away attempts by the Sens and did make some very good stops during the course of the game.
• I said the effort by the Predators was relentless. Here are the shot totals by period: 12 in the first; 12 in the second; and 14  in the third. 38 total shots. More importantly, the Predators held the Sens to 10, 3, and 14 shots over the three periods. The Sens went 12 minutes in the second period without a shot.
• It was good to see the response by the Predators after a bad first period. The Sens have suffered only one road loss before tonight, and one could see the Sens just choking the life out of the Predators in the final 40 minutes. Instead, the Predators stepped up the intensity and took the attack to their opponent. That is the kind of response that the Predators had to have to secure the win.
• The best line on the ice for the Predators tonight was the 4th line. Bourque (1G-1A), Sissons (1G) and Watson (1G-2A) were major contributors to the win.
• The Predators were better in the face off dot tonight, winning 56% of the draws.
• Shea Weber lead the team in shots (6) and blocks (4). Roman Josi led the team in TOI with 24:38.

This was a wild game that took fans for a ride. It certainly is not the way the coaching staff would draw up a game, but the main take away from this contest is that the Predators battled and turned up the intensity to secure the win. That is heartening and a good sign for this team.

My three stars:

1. Austin Watson

2. Gabriel Bourque

3. Colton Sissons

Predators Sign Roy, Ribeiro to One Year Deals

The Nashville Predators have added to their depth at center by signing Derek Roy and Mike Ribeiro to one year contracts. Roy was signed for $1 million and Ribeiro was signed for $1.05 million.

Here is the Predators press release on the signing of Roy:

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed free-agent forward Derek Roy to a one-year, $1 million contract.

 

“Derek brings us added depth, playmaking ability and experience at center, helping complement our young, developing wingers,” Poile said. “He has played in a number of roles, averaging about 19 minutes of ice time throughout his career, and is effective on the power play. He provides our coaching staff with some added skill and maturity down the middle when putting together our lineup for the coming season.”

 

            Roy, 31 (5/4/83), has recorded 492 points (177g-315a) in 666 career NHL regular-season games with Buffalo, Dallas, Vancouver and St. Louis since 2003-04. The Ottawa native is a four-time 60-point, 20-goal scorer including a 32-goal, 81-point campaign in 2007-08 and a 28-goal, 70-point season in 2008-09, both with the Buffalo Sabres. In 2013-14, the 5-9, 184-pound center posted 37 points (9g-28a) in 75 games with the Blues.

 

            An alternate captain for three seasons playing alongside current Predator Paul Gaustad in Buffalo from 2007-09, Roy captained the Kitchener Rangers to Memorial Cup and OHL titles in 2003, earning both Stafford Smythe Trophy and Wayne Gretzky 99 Award as MVP of both tournaments. Buffalo's second selection, 32nd overall (second round), in the 2001 Entry Draft is a three-time silver medalist for Canada, representing his country at the 2003 World Junior Championship, and both the 2008 and 2009 World Championship.

 

And here is what they had to say about Ribeiro:

 

Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that the club has signed free-agent forward Mike Ribeiro to a one-year, $1.05 million contract.

 

“Mike is a talented veteran center who has produced offensively everywhere he has played,” Poile said. “We have done our due diligence and believe Mike has a lot to offer to our team, improves us at our center ice position and will fit in with our group and contribute.”

 

            Ribeiro, 34 (2/10/80), has amassed 656 points (202g-454a) in 865 career NHL games since the 1999-2000 season with Montreal, Dallas (with James Neal and Eric Nystrom), Washington and Phoenix. In 2013-14, the 6-0, 179-pound center registered 47 points (16g-31a) and he is just one season removed from producing at a point-per-game clip with Washington, posting 49 points (13g-36a) in 48 games in 2012-13.

 

            Since the 2003-04 campaign – his first full NHL season – Ribeiro has played the 10th-most games of any NHL forward, averaging 62 points a season and posting the eighth-highest assist total (431). An NHL All-Star in 2007-08 when he set career highs in goals (27), assists (56) and points (83), Ribeiro has missed just 10 games his last four seasons.

 

            Montreal’s second selection, 45th overall (second round), in the 1998 Entry Draft, Ribeiro enjoyed a decorated QMJHL career with Rouyn Noranda and Quebec from 1997-2000, being named league rookie of the year and recipient of the Paul Dumont Trophy as personality of the year in 1998, and winning the Jean Beliveau Trophy as the league's top point producer the following campaign after amassing 167 points (67g-100a) in 69 games. He also helped Canada to a bronze medal at the 2000 World Junior Championship.

 

The Predators now have a glut of players that can play center. Mike Fisher is injured and will be out of the line up for 4-6 months. Even so, Calle Jarnkrok, Colin Wilson, Olli Jokinen, Paul Gaustad, Matt Cullen, and Craig Smith can play the center position. Colton Sissons and Austin Watson are also at Milwaukee, with Sissons seeing the most playing time with the Predators.

 

The addition of Roy and Ribeiro mean that Wilson and Smith will play on the wings and will only be pressed into duty as centers in an emergency. This could also mean that Jarnkrok and Sissons will probably be assigned to Milwaukee.

 

Frankly, I hope Jarnkrok can impress enough that he can stick with the Predators, who desperately need his play making skills.

 

Roy is a steady player that can produce. He should be able to step in and immediately help the Predators down the middle. He should see his ice time increase in Nashville, and hopefully that will allow him to increase his production. Last season, with the St. Louis Blues, 37 points (9G-28A) in 75 games while averaging around 13 minutes TOI.

 

Roy will also be a good locker room presence and will be helpful in mentoring some of the younger players on the roster. His transition to Nashville will be assisted by former team mate Paul Gaustad, both of whom were alternate captains for Buffalo.

 

Ribeiro comes to the Predators as damaged goods, having been bought out by the Arizona Coyotes because of off ice issues. Ribeiro has had domestic problems as well as missing team meetings and the team bus for a game.

 

Ribeiro had 47 points (16G-31A) for the Coyotes last season in 80 games. He has shown that he can be a consistent producer, his off ice issues notwithstanding. If- and this is a big if- he can be more stable in his off ice life, he could wind up being a steal for the Predators.

 

Ribeiro will have a fresh start here on the one year deal and will be presented with every opportunity to prove he can be a quality team mate and continue to produce. I believe that Ribeiro will look at the Predators as his last chance to stick on a roster at the NHL level and that he will respond.

 

Frankly, Ribeiro is a low risk signing by the Predators that could yield good results. Given his past history, I believe that he will be given a short leash by Head Coach Peter Laviolette, and if he is a disruption to the team, he will no longer be on the roster.

 

If however, he returns to form, he could be a great add for the Predators. I would look for him to paired on a line with Neal to begin the season.

 

These additions give the Predators some veteran depth with some upside as well as options once Fisher returns.

 

Now it is up to these guys to show they can still produce and be integral parts of this team.

 

 

Predators Blast Buffalo 6-1

The Nashville Predators needed a home win. Dropping 6 straight home games had sapped the energy of the home crowd not to mention the team.

The Buffalo Sabres were just what the doctor ordered.

The Predators pounded the Sabres 6-1 in front of a happy home crowd at Bridgestone Arena.

There was scoring early and often, and Colton Sissons and Calle Jarnkrok participated in the scoring deluge as both of the young forwards tallied their first NHL goals. They were joined in the scoring fest by Colin Wilson (YEAH!), Eric Nystrom, and Shea Weber with two markers.

Matt Hackett was in net for the visitors and was under siege, giving up 4 first period goals. He would give way in the second period to Nathan Lieuwen.

Carter Hutton was rarely challenged and gave up one goal to Rasmus Ristolainen in the second period.

Sissons opened the scoring by banging home a rebound under the crossbar at 6:26 of the first period. Colin Wilson scored from the slot at 11:44 of the first. Just 9 seconds later, Jarnkrok snapped a shot from the slot past Hackett. Weber finished the scoring in the first period with a bomb from the blue line with the Predators on a 5 on 3 power play at 19:17.

After Ristolainen scored a 2:06 of the second, Weber notched his 20th goal of the season at 6:18 to make it 5-1.

Eric Nystrom finished the scoring, taking a pass from Rich Clune a firing a shot from the slot at 19:20 of the third period.

Some observations:

• Good to see Colin Wilson finally tally a goal. it has been 33 games since Wilson last scored. I like his jump and tonight he skated hard and handled the puck well, creating some quality opportunities in the offensive zone. It was good to him finally break the longest goalless drought of his career.

• Congratulations to Jarnkrok and Sissons on their goals. They were rewarded for their hard work with the scores. Sissons scored by going hard to the net and jarnkrok worked his way to an open spot to capitalize on his scoring opportunity. Both of these young players have been logging some quality minutes and have been productive with their ice time.

• How critical is it for the Predators to score first? After tonight's game, the Predators are 24-3-6 when they score first.

• This was the first time this season that the Predators have scored 4 goals in a period.

• All 12 forwards picked up a point in tonight's game.

• Weber is now tied with Ottawa's Eric Karlsson for the lead in goals by defensemen. This is the second time in Weber's career that he has hit 20 goals in a season (2008-09).

• Eric Nystrom picked up two points tonight (1G-1A) to give him 20 points for the season. That is one shy of his career high of 21 points in the 2011-12 season with Dallas.
• Seth Jones missed his third game with an upper body injury.

This was a fun game for the team and for the fans. make no mistake, the Sabres are struggling, but the Predators did what they had to do to win this game.

No, they exploded and exploited a weak Sabres squad.

Now they need to bring this kind of effort in their remaining games.

My three stars:

1. Shea Weber

2. Colton Sissons

3. Calle Jarnkrok

Predators Outlast the Jets 4-3

The Nashville Predators wrapped up a 4 game road trip with a stop in Winnipeg to face the suddenly resurgent Jets, who have gone 6-1 since Paul Maurice stepped in behind the bench. The Predators had gone 1-1-1 on the trip, and needed the two points in this game to try to stay remotely close to the last wild card position in the Western Conference.

Nashville opened the scoring on a wrap around goal by Seth Jones. Jones carried the puck in deep and showed great speed and puck control as he sped behind the net and banged the puck off the skate of Ondrej Pavelec and inside the post.

The Predators have shown a troubling tendency to give up a goal shortly after scoring, and this game was no different. Just 22 seconds after the Predators score, the Jets got on the board as Chris Thorburn deflected a point shot past Nashville netminder Carter Hutton to tie the game at 1.

The Predators got the lead back just 42 seconds into the second period as Roman Josi notched his 7th goal of the season.

The Predators made it 3-1 off a nice give and go between Colton Sissons, Paul Gaustad, and ultimately Nick Spaling, who deposited the puck past an out of position Pavelec.

3-1 and late in the second period and the Predators looked to have control of the game. But this is the Predators and they gave up two goals in 27 seconds to let the Jets tie the game. Mark Scheifele and Balke Wheeler tallied to knot the game at 3 going into the third period.

The Predators looked to take the lead early in the third period, but the goal was disallowed as David Legwand was deemed to make incidental contact with Pavelec.

With the Predators on the power play to open the third period, they scored but the goal was disallowed due to what the officials deemed was incidental contact with Pavelec by David Legwand. Undeterred, they did score 42 seconds into the period as Mike Fisher banged home a shot for his 14th goal of the season.

That goal would be the game winner as the Predators were able to hold the Jets off the board for the remainder of the period.

The 4-3 win gave the Predators a 2-1-1 record on this road trip and they captured 5 of a possible 8 points.

Some observations:

• This was a nice bounce back effort by the Predators after the debacle in Edmonton in their last game. They were aggressive and got the puck on net and had good traffic in front. Tonight, the Predators played their game and they got the win for their efforts. This is the way this team has to play consistently to have a chance to win games.

• That said, this team has got to do a better job of locking down a lead. Letting the Jets tie the game just 22 seconds after taking the lead in the first period and giving up 2 goals in 27 seconds in the second period are exasperating. This team has shown an inability to step up intensity and hold a lead, and this has to change if this team is going to have success. 

• Shea Weber left the game midway of the third period with an upper body injury. Weber appeared to injure himself after taking a slap shot. The Predators played the rest of the game with five defensemen.

• Colton Sissons was called up from Milwaukee due to the injuries to Viktor Stalberg and Matt Cullen. Sissons picked up his first NHL point with an assist on Nick Spaling's goal.

• Paging Colin Wilson. Another game with no shots on goal. Tonight Wilson had 13:41 of ice time and was once again invisible.

• Craig Smith continues his strong play. He had two assists tonight and delivered several hits and used his speed to create space and opportunities.

The Predators have a few days off before playing at home on Friday night. Hopefully they can continue to bring this level of play and intensity and continue to get some wins.

My three stars:

1. Mike Fisher

2. Craig Smith

3. Mark Scheifele