The Nashville Predators finished the regular season with a stop at Dallas to take on the Stars. For the Predators, the game meant nothing. In fact, Pekka Rinne, Mike Ribeiro, Mike Fisher, Shea Weber, and Roman Josi did not make the trip.
The game was certainly meaningful for the Stars, however. Win and they have a chance to clinch the top spot in the Central.
After going up 2-0 on goals by Ryan Ellis and Calle Jarnkrok, the Predators gave up a hat trick to Jason Spezza to fall 3-2.
This game was...blah.
It meant nothing, and the best thing about it was that the Predators got out healthy.
Other than that, just...meh.
Of note, Craig Smith, Filip Forsberg, and James Neal played all 82 games for the Predators.
There is not much else to mention about this game.
A full playoff preview will come next week.
Showing posts with label Jason Spezza. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jason Spezza. Show all posts
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
Predators Can't Finish, Fall to the Stars 5-2
The Nashville Predators traveled to Dallas looking to rebound from a lackluster effort the night before in a tough contest with the Stars.
This game would be a good measuring stick for the Predators, not only to see how they would rebound from a bad game but also how they would stack up against the best team in the West.
The Predators would be found wanting.
Ryan Ellis opened the scoring with a short handed goal, a blast past Kari Lehtonen to give the Predators a 1-0 lead.
The Stars would tie the game as the Predators defense completely broke down and lost the Stars Jamie Benn coming over the boards. Benn was sent in on a breakaway and he beat Pekka Rinne 5 hole to tie the game at 1.
The second period saw the Predators crumble, giving up 2 goals in 46 seconds. Radek Faksa scored, beating Ryan Johansen back on defense for an easy tap in. Jason Spezza scored on a shot from the slot to give the Stars a 3-1 lead.
Once again, the Predators had dug a huge hole.
The Predators answered on the power play as Viktor Arvidsson, filling in for the injured Ryan Ellis and getting his first meaningful power play action of the year, blew a shot past Lehtonen to make it 3-2.
A furious rally by the Predators in the third period that saw them hit 3 posts went for naught, as the Stars Patrick Sharp and Jamie Benn hit empty net goals to secure a 5-2 win.
Some observations:
Let's face it, the remainder of the season is not going to be a cakewalk. This team is going to have to buck up and start playing a full 60 minutes.
Don't back into the playoffs, boys.
My three stars:
1. Jamie Benn
2. Viktor Arvidsson
3. Alex Goligoski
This game would be a good measuring stick for the Predators, not only to see how they would rebound from a bad game but also how they would stack up against the best team in the West.
The Predators would be found wanting.
Ryan Ellis opened the scoring with a short handed goal, a blast past Kari Lehtonen to give the Predators a 1-0 lead.
The Stars would tie the game as the Predators defense completely broke down and lost the Stars Jamie Benn coming over the boards. Benn was sent in on a breakaway and he beat Pekka Rinne 5 hole to tie the game at 1.
The second period saw the Predators crumble, giving up 2 goals in 46 seconds. Radek Faksa scored, beating Ryan Johansen back on defense for an easy tap in. Jason Spezza scored on a shot from the slot to give the Stars a 3-1 lead.
Once again, the Predators had dug a huge hole.
The Predators answered on the power play as Viktor Arvidsson, filling in for the injured Ryan Ellis and getting his first meaningful power play action of the year, blew a shot past Lehtonen to make it 3-2.
A furious rally by the Predators in the third period that saw them hit 3 posts went for naught, as the Stars Patrick Sharp and Jamie Benn hit empty net goals to secure a 5-2 win.
Some observations:
- Mini-me...uh, Ryan Ellis is a small defenseman, but wow, he can crank a slap shot. He absolutely stepped into one to blow the puck past Kari Lehtonen. Ellis is going to lose the physical match up against the bigger, heavy forwards, but he makes up for it with good hockey sense and that aforementioned wickedly hard shot.
- Paul Gaustad returned to the line up after missing 10 games. He skated on the left wing of a line centered by Colton Sissons. folks, enjoy Gaustad's last few games with the Predators. He has been a good soldier, but he will not be back next season.
- What a horrible defensive breakdown by Ellis and Barret Jackman. Completely unaware of the Stars players coming over the boards. Oh yeah, that Stars player coming over the board just happened to be their most dangerous forward, Jamie Benn. Of course, that mistake resulted in a Benn breakaway goal.
- The Predators lost Ellis in the first period as he went down after taking a shot to the head. He played one more shift after the injury and then did not return.
- I continue to like the play of Arvidsson. There is no doubt that the Aardvark has to get strong, but goodness, he has to have one of the biggest hearts on this team. He jumped in and played very well on the power play, not looking out of place at all.
- The push by the Predators in the third period was excellent. The finish was lacking. If the Predators had some puck luck with the post, the outcome might have been different. Coulda, woulda, shoulda.
Let's face it, the remainder of the season is not going to be a cakewalk. This team is going to have to buck up and start playing a full 60 minutes.
Don't back into the playoffs, boys.
My three stars:
1. Jamie Benn
2. Viktor Arvidsson
3. Alex Goligoski
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Weber's Two Goals Leads the Predators Past the Stars
On a frigid night in Nashville, the action inside the Bridgestone Arena was heated between the Predators and the Dallas Stars. The Predators were attempting to win their third straight game over their Central Division rivals while the Stars were looking to build on the momentum of 4 wins in their last 6 games.
The Predators prevailed 3-2 in overtime, with Shea Weber scoring just 17 seconds into the extra frame. The game winner was Weber's second goal of the night.
The game never should have gotten to overtime, as Filip Forsberg scored with just over three minutes to go in regulation. Craig Smith was tied up with Stars netminder Kari Lehtonen and prevented him from getting over to defend the shot. Referee Paul Devorsky was emphatic that Smith had been cross checked into Lehtonen and it was a good goal. However, the officials huddled and waved off the goal with no clear explanation given.
The Predators got on the board first as Shea Weber took a drop pass from Mike Ribeiro and blasted a shot from inside the blue line that went through Lehtonen to make it 1-0 (no, really, the shot looked like it went THROUGH Lehtonen).
The Stars tied it at 1 when Pekka Rinne failed to completely seal off the post and Jason Spezza fired a shot from a bad angle that went under Rinne's glove and into the net.
Making his first appearance in an NHL game, Miikka Salomaki took a long pass from Roman Josi an went in on a breakaway. Lehtonen stopped the first shot but Salomaki followed the rebound and lifted it over the pad of Lehtonen for his first NHL goal and a 2-1 Predators lead.
The Stars tied the game with 3 seconds left in the second when Trevor Daly pinched down from the blue line and no one on the Predators picked him up. He was alone at the side of the net and was able to put the puck into a nearly open net off a pass from Jamie Benn.
In the overtime, the Stars controlled the face off but turned it over in their zone. Colin Wilson got the puck across the ice to Shea Weber who let a wrist shot go that hit Lehtonen in the shoulder and flipped over and into the net for the game winner.
Some observations:
The team gets back at with an afternoon road meeting against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.This will be another hungry team that would like nothing more than to knock off the Predators.
Another big challenge awaits.
My three stars:
1. Shea Weber
2. Roman Josi
3. Miikka Salomaki
The Predators prevailed 3-2 in overtime, with Shea Weber scoring just 17 seconds into the extra frame. The game winner was Weber's second goal of the night.
The game never should have gotten to overtime, as Filip Forsberg scored with just over three minutes to go in regulation. Craig Smith was tied up with Stars netminder Kari Lehtonen and prevented him from getting over to defend the shot. Referee Paul Devorsky was emphatic that Smith had been cross checked into Lehtonen and it was a good goal. However, the officials huddled and waved off the goal with no clear explanation given.
The Predators got on the board first as Shea Weber took a drop pass from Mike Ribeiro and blasted a shot from inside the blue line that went through Lehtonen to make it 1-0 (no, really, the shot looked like it went THROUGH Lehtonen).
The Stars tied it at 1 when Pekka Rinne failed to completely seal off the post and Jason Spezza fired a shot from a bad angle that went under Rinne's glove and into the net.
Making his first appearance in an NHL game, Miikka Salomaki took a long pass from Roman Josi an went in on a breakaway. Lehtonen stopped the first shot but Salomaki followed the rebound and lifted it over the pad of Lehtonen for his first NHL goal and a 2-1 Predators lead.
The Stars tied the game with 3 seconds left in the second when Trevor Daly pinched down from the blue line and no one on the Predators picked him up. He was alone at the side of the net and was able to put the puck into a nearly open net off a pass from Jamie Benn.
In the overtime, the Stars controlled the face off but turned it over in their zone. Colin Wilson got the puck across the ice to Shea Weber who let a wrist shot go that hit Lehtonen in the shoulder and flipped over and into the net for the game winner.
Some observations:
- With the win tonight, the Predators are first in the NHL with 58 points. Not the Central Division, but the NH freakin L. The Ducks also have 58 points but have played 2 more games than the Predators. Honestly, I did not see this coming. No one did. This team is playing with confidence and with the mentality that they are never out of a game. They have overcome bad calls, tough opponents, and now a spate of injuries. They just keep coming and refuse to roll over. I like the way this team plays and I like the way they carry themselves on the ice. They are quietly confident and playing at a high level. The test for them will be to continue to do so in the second half of the season.
- Speaking of those injuries, James Neal has now been placed on injured reserve. Eric Nystrom has also been added to IR. And tonight, Ryan Ellis left the game midway of the second period in obvious pain and did not return to the game. It looked as if he had an injury to his leg.
- Taylor Beck and Matt Cullen have been skating and look to be closer to returning. No timetable on their return has been given, though.
- With his assist on Weber's first goal, Roman Josi picked up his 100th NHL point. He later added an assist on Salomaki's goal. Josi is quietly becoming a defenseman that will have to be considered when discussing the top NHL blueliners.
- This was the 11th consecutive game in which the Predators have scored 3 or more goals. It used to be that when the Predators were discussed by the national media, it was always the "offensively challenged" Predators. No more.
- Miikka Salomaki had 10:49 of ice time, and even saw some action on the PK. He had 7 hits, 4 shots on goal, and one goal in his debut. He did not look out of place out there in his first NHL action. Good on you, young man.
- The game was a tight checking contest with lots of hitting. The Stars spent a lot of time grabbing and tripping with no calls. Kudos to the Predators for pushing through a muck and grind contest.
- The Predators were able to kill off all 3 power play chances by the Stars, and were very effective on the PK. The Predators power play...oh, the power play. 0-2 tonight and very few threats.
- Shea Weber led the Predators in TOI with 26:39
- Victor Bartley led the team with 4 blocked shots.
- The Predators are 16-2-1 on home ice, by far and away the best home record in the NHL.
The team gets back at with an afternoon road meeting against the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.This will be another hungry team that would like nothing more than to knock off the Predators.
Another big challenge awaits.
My three stars:
1. Shea Weber
2. Roman Josi
3. Miikka Salomaki
Saturday, October 11, 2014
Predators Pound the Stars 4-1
Relentless.
That is probably the best way to describe the Predators and their style of play. That relentless effort paid off in a 4-1 victory over division rival Dallas in front of a sell out crowd at the Bridgestone Arena.
The Predators are not flashy. But they just keep coming for 60 minutes, and that effort paid off in another win.
Once again, the Predators fell behind 1-0 off a goal from Antoine Roussel, a deflection that got past Pekka Rinne at 7:14 of the first period.
The Predators responded late in the second period as Shea Weber wristed a shot from the blue line that eluded Stars netminder Anders Lindback to tie the game at 19:19 of the second the second period.
As in the first game, the third period belonged to the Predators as they tallied three goals. Paul Gaustad broke the tie at 8:33 of the third with his first goal of the season off an assist from Taylor Beck. Eric Nystrom stretched the lead to 3-1 on a backhand shot at 9:54 . Roman Josi ended the scoring with an empty net goal at 19:57.
Some observations:
It's a long season, but the start has been good.
Now it's time to build on it.
My three stars:
1. Paul Gaustad
2. Shea Weber
3. Eric Nystrom
That is probably the best way to describe the Predators and their style of play. That relentless effort paid off in a 4-1 victory over division rival Dallas in front of a sell out crowd at the Bridgestone Arena.
The Predators are not flashy. But they just keep coming for 60 minutes, and that effort paid off in another win.
Once again, the Predators fell behind 1-0 off a goal from Antoine Roussel, a deflection that got past Pekka Rinne at 7:14 of the first period.
The Predators responded late in the second period as Shea Weber wristed a shot from the blue line that eluded Stars netminder Anders Lindback to tie the game at 19:19 of the second the second period.
As in the first game, the third period belonged to the Predators as they tallied three goals. Paul Gaustad broke the tie at 8:33 of the third with his first goal of the season off an assist from Taylor Beck. Eric Nystrom stretched the lead to 3-1 on a backhand shot at 9:54 . Roman Josi ended the scoring with an empty net goal at 19:57.
Some observations:
- Paul Gaustad has been playing lights out. He had a goal, an assist, and fought Vernon Fiddler for a Gordie Howe hat trick tonight. In two games, Gaustad has a goal, 3 assists, was a +3, and has arguably been the Predators best center.
- Shea Weber recorded his second goal in as many games, had an assist, and was a +4 on the night. Weber delivered a huge hit and was a force all game. I especially like how Weber has joined the rush on occasion and is more active in the offensive zone. Weber has shown leadership and an offensive flair early in this season.
- Once again, the Predators out shot their opponent by a wide margin. The Predators out shot the Stars 33-18.
- Rinne was excellent tonight, stopping 17 of 18 Dallas shots. He moved well and did a good job of tracking the puck. He got a lot of help from the Predators defense that limited the scoring chances for the Stars.
- The fans got on Jason Spezza all night. Spezza turned down a trade to the Predators in the off season, opting for the Stars. Spezza was limited to one shot on the night and was a non-factor.
- I really like the play of Anton Volchenkov. He delivers big and timely hits, is positionally sound, and is responsible in the defensive zone. Volchenkov may prove to be the best off season signing by the Predators.
- I am not sold on the line combo of Mike Ribeiro, James Neal, and Gabriel Bourque. This line was a -3 on the night and combined for 7 shot, 4 by Neal. I think that Neal needs a more dynamic center, and although it is only two games from which to draw a conclusion, I am not sure that Ribeiro is the answer.
- Roman Josi lead the Predators with 23:37 TOI. Shea Weber lead the team with 5 blocked shots.
It's a long season, but the start has been good.
Now it's time to build on it.
My three stars:
1. Paul Gaustad
2. Shea Weber
3. Eric Nystrom
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Predators Scoring and Shootout Struggles Continue in Loss to the Senators
The Nashville Predators were exactly where they did not want to be: in another shootout.
The Predators were 0-4 in the shootout coming in to the game at Bridgestone Arena against the Ottawa Senators. After tonight, they are 0-5.
How we got there is interesting.
Mattias Ekholm attempted a back pass behind his net to Kevin Klein. Rather than slide around the dasher board, the puck hit at an angle and caromed out in the slot to Kyle Turris. Turris calmly deposited the puck past Nashville netminder Marek Mazanec, who was watching Ekholm carry the puck and was as surprised as anyone in the building at the crazy play. Turris scored his goal at 6:23 of the second period.
Mike Fisher tied the game at 16:59 of the second period. Ryan Ellis took a shot that was deflected onto the stick of Fisher, who buried the puck over the shoulder of Anderson.
Both teams traded some scoring chances in the remainder of regulation but could not get the go ahead goal.
In overtime, the Predators dominated, out shooting the Senators 6-0. They had the final 1:34 on the power play but could not get a puck past Anderson. The Senators penalty killers did a good job of clogging the lanes and clearing the puck to keep the Predators from getting the winning goal.
In the shoot out, Anderson stopped Craig Smith and David Legwand, while Mika Zibenejad and Jason Spezza tallied in their attempts.
Some observations:
The best to hope for now is for this team to work to improve their game and get some of the players on the roster to step up their play.
Fail to do that and this ugly season will get uglier.
My three stars:
1. Craig Anderson
2. Jason Spezza
3. Mike Fisher
The Predators were 0-4 in the shootout coming in to the game at Bridgestone Arena against the Ottawa Senators. After tonight, they are 0-5.
How we got there is interesting.
Mattias Ekholm attempted a back pass behind his net to Kevin Klein. Rather than slide around the dasher board, the puck hit at an angle and caromed out in the slot to Kyle Turris. Turris calmly deposited the puck past Nashville netminder Marek Mazanec, who was watching Ekholm carry the puck and was as surprised as anyone in the building at the crazy play. Turris scored his goal at 6:23 of the second period.
Mike Fisher tied the game at 16:59 of the second period. Ryan Ellis took a shot that was deflected onto the stick of Fisher, who buried the puck over the shoulder of Anderson.
Both teams traded some scoring chances in the remainder of regulation but could not get the go ahead goal.
In overtime, the Predators dominated, out shooting the Senators 6-0. They had the final 1:34 on the power play but could not get a puck past Anderson. The Senators penalty killers did a good job of clogging the lanes and clearing the puck to keep the Predators from getting the winning goal.
In the shoot out, Anderson stopped Craig Smith and David Legwand, while Mika Zibenejad and Jason Spezza tallied in their attempts.
Some observations:
- Viktor Stalberg was awarded a penalty shot in the first period, which Anderson stopped easily. The penalty shot was awarded after Stalberg used his speed to blow past Joe Corvo, who was forced to haul down Stalberg.
- Speaking of Stalberg, he recorded three shots on net and used his speed to create space and set up plays. Again, I am looking for a reasonable explanation as to why he is playing on the fourth line.
- Eric Nystrom and Colin Greening traded some bombs in a second period scrap. They went skate to skate and neither refused to back down in a spirited tilt.
- Colin Wilson played 17:40 and David Legwand played 18:59. They each recorded one shot on net and were absolute non-factors. Legwand in particular seemed disinterested and unwilling to battle for position or the puck. to give these players these kind of minutes and have zero production is baffling and detrimental to the team.
- As mentioned, the Predators are now 0-5 in the shootout. How bad have they been? In 19 shot attempts, they have made 1. Only New Jersey is worse.
- The Predators out shot the Senators 33-21 and had some good scoring chances. Credit Craig Anderson with making some good saves, but this also points out that the Predators continue to struggle finishing their scoring chances.
- And this points out once again that the lack of offensive skill is killing this team.
The best to hope for now is for this team to work to improve their game and get some of the players on the roster to step up their play.
Fail to do that and this ugly season will get uglier.
My three stars:
1. Craig Anderson
2. Jason Spezza
3. Mike Fisher
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Senators Stymie the Predators 4-3
The Nashville Predators began a two game road trip by facing the Ottawa Senators in a game in which the Predators looked to get back to their winning ways. The Predators had dropped their previous game in a shootout to the Vancouver Canucks, while the Senators were looking to end a 7 game losing streak.
Pekka Rinne got the start in net for the Predators while the Senators gave Craig Anderson a rest and went with Alex Auld.
Both teams bring speed to their game, and the first period was played with great pace. For the Predators, it was going to be critical that they contain Jason Spezza and his explosive offensive game and the speed of the Senators.
Well... Mr. Spezza made his presence felt early as he roofed a wrist shot from the slot over the shoulder of Rinne to give the Sens a 1-0 lead at 4:46 of the first period. The Predators were guilty during much of the first period of not being physical with the Senators, and Spezza was able to cruise down the slot unchallenged.
Rinne kept the Predators within one as the puck was turned over and a glorious scoring chance in the slot was gloved to thwart the scoring chance.
The Predators created some scoring chances, but were not able to put a puck past Auld until Rookie Gabriel Bourque cranked a wrist shot over the shoulder of Auld at 18:46 of the period. Bourque has brought a physical presence to the line up, and finding a scoring touch is welcome for the Predators. This was Bourque's second NHL goal.
Ottawa out shot Nashville 8-6 in the first period, and the Predators were going to have to tighten up their defense in the second period to slow down the Sens and limit their quality scoring chances.
The Predators did not open the second period the way they wanted, as Sergei Kostitsyn was called for holding, and with 12 seconds left in that penalty, Nick Spaling was called for tripping. The Predators managed to kill both penalties and had a good scoring chance shorthanded but could not convert.
Chris Phillips gave the Sens a 2-1 as he joined the rush and buried a wrist shot at 7:50 of the second period as Rinne had two Senators in front screening.
The Predators answered on the power play as Patric Hornqvist tipped a puck past Auld off a wrist shot from Marty Erat to tie the game at 2 at 12:40 of the second period.
The Predators took a penalty late in the period and although they won the face off in their zone, Nick Spaling had the pick pilfered off his stick and it pinballed off several players before Jason Spezza found the puck and banged it past Rinne at 18:55 of the second.
For the Predators, this game was becoming a frustrating affair as they made mistakes that kept the Senators ahead and the team continually having to fight their way back into the contest. Going into the third period and trailing 3-2, the Predators were going to have to once again claw back into another contest.
Ottawa out shot the Predators 12-11 in the second, but the difference was that the Predators did not finish their chances and they were allowing the Sens good opportunities on which they capitalized.
The third period saw the Predators stymied trying to generate offensive flow. The Sens forechecked well and thwarted the Predators in the neutral zone and did not allow the Predators to enter the zone with speed. Offensive chances were limited and the Predators could not get their offense in gear.
The Predators fell behind 4-2 as Chris Phillips knocked in a rebound on the power play. Once again, the Predators were making mistakes and the Sens were making them pay for their transgressions. Phillips tally came at 13:35 and was his second goal of the night and his second of the season.
The hole was deep, time was running out, and the Predators were making the Sens look like world beaters.
Not a formula for winning a hockey game.
The Predators pulled Rinne for the extra attacker with 1:30 to go in the game. Even with the extra attacker, the Predators failed to generate much offense. They finally cracked the scoreboard with 10 seconds to go as Marty Erat banged home the rebound of a Shea Weber slap shot in a scramble around the net to make it 4-3.
The Predators could not get off a shot in the final 10 seconds and lost 4-3. This was a disappointing loss for the Predators because they got outworked in the third period, took numerous penalties, and made mistakes that wound up in the back of their net. They even managed to make Chris Phillips look like a scoring machine.
Just not very good hockey by the boys tonight.
Not much else can be said about this effort and this game. Poor play is not something this team can overcome, and tonight's play was poor.
It's now time for the Predators to get back to playing Predator hockey. Focused, aggressive hockey. Limiting mistakes and playing with a purpose. Characteristics that were absent for most of this night.
My three stars:
1. Jason Spezza
2. Chris Phillips
3. Patric Hornqvist
Pekka Rinne got the start in net for the Predators while the Senators gave Craig Anderson a rest and went with Alex Auld.
Both teams bring speed to their game, and the first period was played with great pace. For the Predators, it was going to be critical that they contain Jason Spezza and his explosive offensive game and the speed of the Senators.
Well... Mr. Spezza made his presence felt early as he roofed a wrist shot from the slot over the shoulder of Rinne to give the Sens a 1-0 lead at 4:46 of the first period. The Predators were guilty during much of the first period of not being physical with the Senators, and Spezza was able to cruise down the slot unchallenged.
Rinne kept the Predators within one as the puck was turned over and a glorious scoring chance in the slot was gloved to thwart the scoring chance.
The Predators created some scoring chances, but were not able to put a puck past Auld until Rookie Gabriel Bourque cranked a wrist shot over the shoulder of Auld at 18:46 of the period. Bourque has brought a physical presence to the line up, and finding a scoring touch is welcome for the Predators. This was Bourque's second NHL goal.
Ottawa out shot Nashville 8-6 in the first period, and the Predators were going to have to tighten up their defense in the second period to slow down the Sens and limit their quality scoring chances.
The Predators did not open the second period the way they wanted, as Sergei Kostitsyn was called for holding, and with 12 seconds left in that penalty, Nick Spaling was called for tripping. The Predators managed to kill both penalties and had a good scoring chance shorthanded but could not convert.
Chris Phillips gave the Sens a 2-1 as he joined the rush and buried a wrist shot at 7:50 of the second period as Rinne had two Senators in front screening.
The Predators answered on the power play as Patric Hornqvist tipped a puck past Auld off a wrist shot from Marty Erat to tie the game at 2 at 12:40 of the second period.
The Predators took a penalty late in the period and although they won the face off in their zone, Nick Spaling had the pick pilfered off his stick and it pinballed off several players before Jason Spezza found the puck and banged it past Rinne at 18:55 of the second.
For the Predators, this game was becoming a frustrating affair as they made mistakes that kept the Senators ahead and the team continually having to fight their way back into the contest. Going into the third period and trailing 3-2, the Predators were going to have to once again claw back into another contest.
Ottawa out shot the Predators 12-11 in the second, but the difference was that the Predators did not finish their chances and they were allowing the Sens good opportunities on which they capitalized.
The third period saw the Predators stymied trying to generate offensive flow. The Sens forechecked well and thwarted the Predators in the neutral zone and did not allow the Predators to enter the zone with speed. Offensive chances were limited and the Predators could not get their offense in gear.
The Predators fell behind 4-2 as Chris Phillips knocked in a rebound on the power play. Once again, the Predators were making mistakes and the Sens were making them pay for their transgressions. Phillips tally came at 13:35 and was his second goal of the night and his second of the season.
The hole was deep, time was running out, and the Predators were making the Sens look like world beaters.
Not a formula for winning a hockey game.
The Predators pulled Rinne for the extra attacker with 1:30 to go in the game. Even with the extra attacker, the Predators failed to generate much offense. They finally cracked the scoreboard with 10 seconds to go as Marty Erat banged home the rebound of a Shea Weber slap shot in a scramble around the net to make it 4-3.
The Predators could not get off a shot in the final 10 seconds and lost 4-3. This was a disappointing loss for the Predators because they got outworked in the third period, took numerous penalties, and made mistakes that wound up in the back of their net. They even managed to make Chris Phillips look like a scoring machine.
Just not very good hockey by the boys tonight.
Not much else can be said about this effort and this game. Poor play is not something this team can overcome, and tonight's play was poor.
It's now time for the Predators to get back to playing Predator hockey. Focused, aggressive hockey. Limiting mistakes and playing with a purpose. Characteristics that were absent for most of this night.
My three stars:
1. Jason Spezza
2. Chris Phillips
3. Patric Hornqvist
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