Predators Don't Show Up, Drop Game 7 to the Sharks 5-0

The Nashville Predators have never won a playoff game on the home ice of the San Jose Sharks.

That unenviable trend continued in the 7th game of the Predators second round series against the Sharks.

The Sharks jumped on the Predators early in the game, out shooting the Predators 17-3 in the first period and tallying twice. Joe Pavelski scored on the power play and Joel Ward scored on a breakaway to make it 2-0 after 20 minutes.

Shea Weber had a brutal turnover to Logan Couture, who converted to make it 3-0 early in the second period.

Pekka Rinne was under siege, while Martin Jones had an easy night as the Predators offense never threatened through 2 periods, managing only 8 shots on goal.

Joe Thornton scored on the power play early in the third period to make it 4-0. Patrick Marleau added a goal to make it 5-0.

The Predators were out of gas and getting embarrassed.

Carter Hutton came in to finish the game in net for the Predators, which was just as well because the team in front of Rinne was getting him killed.

The Predators didn't bother to show up in what was arguably their most important game in franchise history and went down to an embarrassing defeat 5-0.

Some observations:

• The Sharks power play has been lethal in this series. It doesn't help that the Predators often allowed Sharks forwards open ice in the low slot. Pavelski scored the first goal of the game from within 10 feet of the net. The Predators often did not seem to have an answer for the Sharks power play unit.
• The Predators knew the Sharks would come out with jump to start the game. They did just that, and the Predators had no answer in the first period. through 17 minutes, the Sharks had 15 shots and the Predators only had 2.
• Pekka Rinne was under siege in the first period (see bullet point above) and had absolutely no help. If he had not made some exceptional saves the game would have been totally out of control for the Predators in the first period.
• Shea Weber was not good in this game. His awful turnover onto the stick of Logan Couture led to the Sharks third goal. When Weber is not good, this team is going to struggle.
• Through 2 periods, the Predators managed only 8 shots and never challenged Jones. Not a formula for success.
• The penalty by Ekholm at the end of the second period was a retaliation penalty and was stupid. it cost the Predators as they gave up their second power play goal to fall behind 4-0.
• Rinne was just under siege and had no help. I really felt sorry for him because the team in front of him gave him absolutely no help.

It is incredibly disappointing to see this team fall  flat on their face. It doesn't take away from the great run they had, but the frustration and sense of failure is palpable with this lack of effort.

I will have a post mortem on the season in a few days.


They are going to have to find a way to win these types of games and have players that will step up in these big games.

I am still proud of this team.

And we all should be.

Lackluster and Lethargic, Predators Fall to the Sharks 5-1

After their 3 OT marathon, the Nashville Predators and the San Jose Sharks were at it again, this time at the SAP Center. The teams entered game 5 tied at 2 games apiece and both squads looking to play through fatigue and trying to solve the others stellar netminder.

Patrick Marleau gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead, sliding a pass under the stick of Mattias Ekholm and under the pad of Pekka Rinne.

The Predators tied the game after Marleau's goal as the line of Mike Fisher, James Neal, and Colin Wilson continued their torrid play. Fisher was the beneficiary of a fine play by Neal and he poked  a shot by Martin Jones.

The Predators left Joe Pavelski alone in the slot and he beat Rinne with a blistering wrister to make it 2-1 heading into the intermission.

A horrible line change and defensive breakdown sent Logan Couture in alone and he beat Rinne to make it 3-1 early in the second period.

Joe Pavelski scored on the power play to make it 4-1.

Melker Karlsson made it 5-1 when he scored in the final minute against Carter Hutton, who had come in for Rinne.

Some observations:

• Mike Ribeiro drew back into the line up and centered Calle Jarkrok and Viktor Arvidsson on the third line. This was Ribeiro's first action since being scratched in games 3 and 4.
• Tommy Wingels was scratched for the Sharks and Dainus Zubrus was inserted as a 4th line forward. Zubrus was seeing his first action since a game against the Arizona Coyotes on April 9th.
• The Sharks opened the game with lots more jump than the Predators, who were back on their heels to begin the game. Not how the team wanted to start. Instead of taking the attack to the Sharks, the Predators started looking like they were just trying to hold on. That style of play led to the Sharks opening the scoring off a goal by Marleau.
• The line of Fisher, Wilson, and Neal have gelled almost immediately. Their production has been superb and their play and chemistry have given the Sharks fits in this series. They have combined for 17 points since being put together for the playoffs.
• Brutal defense by the Predators on Pavelski's goal. Left aloine in the low slot and Rinne never had a chance on the snap shot. The defense has to be aware of where the threats are, especially when the top line of the Sharks is on the ice. Instead, they completely lost the leading goal scorer for the Sharks.
• What a brutal changes and sloppy defensive breakdown early in the second period by the Predators. That is the inept play that the Predators cannot have against a team the caliber of the Sharks. 
• This is a disappointing game by the Predators in that they had no push back and no response to the push from the Sharks. Great teams answer, and the Predators were not even remotely close to answering.
• The Predators won games 3 and 4 on the back of a relentless forecheck. Tonight, the forecheck was spotty at best and mostly non-existent. Letting the Sharks take the zone with speed is not a formula for success for this team, and tonight, that is exactly what the Predators did.
• Pekka Rinne wasn't good, but the way this team played in front of him tonight, he would have had to be perfect for the Predators to have a chance. He wasn't and the team found itself in a hole from which they could not crawl out.
• The Predators did not do a good job of getting to the prime scoring areas. The Sharks did a good job of forcing them outside and the Predators did not have anyone creating havoc in front. That has been their formula for success in the playoffs, and tonight, they showed no will or commitment to do that.
• The Predators have NEVER won a playoff game in San Jose. Let that sink in for a moment.

A hugely disappointing effort by the Predators. You knew the Sharks would come out strong to defend home ice, but the lack of response and effort by the Predators is unacceptable.

With a chance to put the Sharks at a huge disadvantage, the Predators showed no fire, no will, no heart.

Now they have to turn it around and face a must win back at Bridgestone Arena.

Let's hope they have their hearts in it.

My three stars:

1. Joe Pavelski

2. Joe Thornton

3. Mike Fisher

Predatoes Have Their Chances But Can't Finish, Fall to the Sharks 3-2

The Nashville Predators looked to steal home ice  at the Shark Tank the second game of their series with the San Jose Sharks. The Predators are going to need a full 60 minutes of play and contributions from the top lines to accomplish that task, something that didn't happen in game one.

The Predators played a full 60 minutes with jump and energy this game. Unfortunately, they still came out on the short end of the score by a 3-2 margin.

The Sharks lethal power play capitalized in the second period as Logan Couture tallied to make it 1-0. Pekka Rinne made the initial save, but Couture was left all alone to pick up the rebound and pot a goal into a near empty net.

In the third period, Mattias Ekholm launched a shot through traffic that beat Martin Jones top shelf to tie the game at 1.

Joe Pavelski broke the tie as he was alone to gather in a rebound to make it 2-1.

Joe Thornton hit an empty net goal to make it 3-1.

Roman Josi scored with 3 seconds left to make it 3-2, but there was not enough time for the Predators to tie the game and they will return home down 2-0 in the series.


Some observations:

• After missing the first game of the series, Craig Smith returned to the line up. The Predators are 4-0 when the Honey Badger is in the line up. They are 0-4 without him. You can't underestimate what Smith brings to the line up. When healthy, his speed and attacking style of play opens up the ice for his line mates, and it is a positive to have him back in the line up.
• Lots more intensity and jump by the Predators and the Sharks in the first period. The hitting was better by the Predators and they were moving their feet better than in the first game. Now they have to do it for the next 40 minutes.
• The Predator forwards are going to have to work harder to get to the prime scoring areas. The Sharks do a good job of clearing the front of the net, and this is going to be a matter of want to for the forwards to put pressure on Jones.
• Some great saves by Rinne early in the second period. The Sharks do a great job in transition and on the rush, and Rinne came up with some huge saves to keep the Sharks off the board.
• The Sharks scored on the power play after Rinne made the initial save but gave up a rebound. Problematic with that goal is that Logan Couture was allowed a free ride in front of the net with no defenders challenging him. Rinne has to have some help and the Predators defenders have to make life miserable for the Sharks around the net. They did not on that power play.
• Matty Ek's goal was a perfectly placed shot. But did you see who was taking all sorts of punishment to screen Jones? The smallest guy on the ice- the Aardvark, Viktor Arvidsson. Small guy but perhaps the biggest heart of anyone on the team.
• This was a full 6o minute game by the Predators, but they are going to have to finish some of their chances. They had some great chances but couldn't finish some of their scoring chances. The guys that are counted on to finish are going to have to do just that if this team is going to have a chance to come back in this series.
• There was some uncharacteristically leaky D in front of Rinne on the first two goals that the Sharks scored. Having the opponents forwards left alone to have unmolested tap ins is not a formula for success for the Predators.
• Rinne made some outstanding saves to keep the Sharks off the board and the level of play by the big metminder has given this team an opportunity to win. 

The onus is on the Predators to capture the next two games at Bridgestone Arena. They are going to have to come out with the jump and energy that they displayed tonight.

And they are going to have to finish some of their chances.

My three stars;

1. Joe Pavelski

2. Pekka Rinne

3. Logan Couture

Predators Stymie the Sharks to Start the Road Trip Right

The Nashville Predators begin their two week road trip with a stop in San Jose to face the Sharks in their first meeting of the season.

The Predators entered the contest with a 6-1-1 record while the Sharks checked in with a 5-3 record.

Pekka Rinne was in the net for the Predators, while the Sharks had  Martin Jones between the pipes.

A first period goal by Eric Nystrom off a nice assist from Roman Josi stood up for two periods as the Predators took a 1-0 lead going into the third period.

That lead evaporated just over a minute into the third period as Joe Pavelski fired a shot from the low slot that beat Rinne to tie the game at 1.

The Predators came right back on the attack and kept the pressure on the Sharks in all zones.

And it paid off.

Calle Jarnkrok gave the Predators a 2-1 lead off a 2 on 1 break with a snap shot over the glove of Jones. Gsbriel Bourque picked up the assist off a nice pass to Jarnkrok.

That goal stood up as the game winner as the Predators defeated the Sharks 2-1.

Some observations:

• After missing the previous game against Pittsburgh due to illness, Calle Jarnkrok drew back into the line up. I liked the jump that Jarnkrok had in his game, but man, this third line has got to get going and start getting on the score sheet.
• Well, speak of the third line getting going, Calle Jarnkrok finally gets on the board with a big goal in the third period to give the Predators a 2-1 lead. Hopefully this will open the door for Jarnkrok and his line mates to get it going.
• Good to see Eric Nystrom finding the back of the net. He recorded his third goal of the season and the first goal of the game off a nice assist from Roman Josi. If  Nystrom and his line mates can contribute consistently for the Predators it makes them a much more dangerous team.
• The Predators have scored the first goal in 8 of their 9 games this season.
• The strong starts offensively have been good for the Predators, but their defensive effort in the first 20 minutes of games so far this season has been superb. Once again, they held an opponent off the scoreboard. Here's a blinding flash of the obvious: it is much easier to play with the lead than it is to play from behind. This Predators team is built for speed and is explosive, and making other teams have to work against that speed is tiring and is good for the way this team is constructed.
• No second period nap for the Predators as they out shot the Sharks 9-4.
• I really liked the push back from the Predators after the Pavelski goal. They had several good, attacking shifts and kept the pressure on the Sharks in the defensive zone. In times past, the Predators would often wilt under the push from their opponent. Not tonight. This was a full 60 minutes of attacking, up tempo hockey that the Sharks had a difficult time playing aginst.
• Bourque and Jarnkrok really stood out to me in this game. They have lots of speed and played with good jump all game long and created some chances in the offensive zone.
• Pekka Rinne faced 21 shots and made some good saves. He had no chance on the goal by Pavelski as the Sharks forward was lost by the Predators defense in prime scoring territory. Rinne is moving well and just looks poised in the net. More importantly, the team looks confident with him between the pipes.
• The Predators were awful in the face off dot, winning just 16 of 53 draws. This has to get better as the season goes along.
• The Predators PK was superb, killing all 4 of the Sharks power plays.
• The Predators out shot the Sharks 24-21. 

A good start to the road trip by the Predators, winning in a barn that has historically been a house of horrors for the Predators. The response by the Predators was excellent and it is the kind of play tonight that they will need for the remainder of this roadie.

My three stars:

1. Calle Jarnkrok

2. Pekka Rinne

3. Eric Nystrom

Predators Stymie the Sharks For the Second Time

The Nashville Predators seem to enjoy playing the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks are one of the best teams in the NHL, while the Predators are struggling to play .500 hockey.

Yet the Predators captured their second win in as many games against the Sharks, notching a 3-2 victory at Bridgestone Arena.

After a scoreless first period that saw the Predators out shoot the Sharks 10-6, the game opened up in the second.

The Predators got on the board first as David Legwand gathered in a loose puck and roof a shot over the shoulder of Sharks goaltender Antti Niemi from just inside the right circle at 3:35 of the second period.

After the officials missed a tripping call against the Sharks in the Predators defensive zone, Mattias Ekholm cleared the puck over the glass. On the ensuing power play, the Sharks tied the game as Joe Pavelski tipped a shot from Dan Boyle and re-directed it past Nashville netminder Marek Mazanec at 6:49.

Just 27 seconds later, Ekholm redeemed himself as he got the puck low in the offensive zone and whipped a backhand shot toward the net. The shot seemed to surprise Niemi and went through the five hole for Ekholm's first NHL goal.

The Predators made it 3-1 at 11:30 of the second period when Roman Josi carried the puck behind the net and circled back into the high slot. He fired a shot that beat Niemi high glove side for the score. The Sharks protested since Colin Wilson was laying in the crease and they claimed he prevented Niemi from making a play on the puck. However, Wilson had been cross checked to the ice by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and the contact was deemed incidental.

The Sharks, as expected, turned it on in the third period. They out shot the Predators 11-5, many of which came in the final two minutes with Niemi pulled for the extra attacker.

The Sharks cut the deficit to one with 1:22 remaining as Patrick Marleau was able to re-direct a shot by Matt Nieto past Mazanec.

The Predators were able to hold the Sharks at bay for the remainder of the period and picked up their first regulation win in four games.

Some observations:

• The Predators are 16-1-4 when scoring first. They are 17-0-3 when scoring at least 3 goals.

• Mazanec has continued to look more comfortable and poised in the net. He has rarely been caught out of position and has not been giving up rebounds. His play continues to improve, and if Rinne can return this season, I expect Mazanec to remain on the team as the back up. 

• Ekholm has shown continued improvement. He logged 18:56 in ice time paired with Seth Jones, was a +1, and had a huge goal that allowed the Predators to seize back momentum shortly after the Sharks had tied the game. His confidence seems to be growing and his play has been steady. He needs to continue to progress, and his recent play has been beneficial to the team.

• The Predators out hustled and out worked the Sharks, especially in the defensive zone. They limited quality scoring chances by the Sharks and blocked 20 shots. The Predators also did a good job on their breakouts, pressuring the Sharks defense and setting up some good scoring chances.

• The defensive pairing of Shea Weber and Roman Josi has been very good. Weber picked up 2 assists and Josi had the game winning goal. Both move the puck well, and Josi has really stepped up and shown confidence in carrying the puck and distributing it, and he has a deceptively good shot.

• The Predators had only one power play, which came 10 seconds into the contest when Joe Thornton was called for hooking. The Sharks had 4 power play opportunities, scoring on one for their first goal of the game. The Predators PK was solid tonight and limited quality chances by the Sharks.

This was a solid game by the Predators. it was evident early on that the Predators were going to assert their will, and that will was going to be better than the skill of the Sharks.

This is the kind of effort that the Predators have to have every night to rack up points.

My three stars:

1. Mattias Ekholm

2. David Legwand

3. Marek Mazanec

Predators Offensive Woes Continue In Loss to the Sharks

The Nashville Predators looked to right their ship and get back to winning as they traveled to the Shark Tank to take on the slumping but dangerous San Jose Sharks. Nashville had captured victories in their first two meetings and were looking to sweep the season series.

The task for the Predators was to tighten up their defense and attempt to get their struggling offense untracked.

The Predators had Pekka Rinne in net, while the Sharks went with Antii Niemi.

The Predators opened the game skating well and having offensive zone time, but could not generate shots on net. Same sad refrain from games past.

The Sharks, by contrast, were firing shots at Rinne, and he had to come up with some good saves to keep the Sharks off the board.

The Predators had a glorious chance to get on the board shorthanded as David Legwand fed the puck to Marty Erat, who was in alone on a breakaway. Erat tried to slide the puck five hole on Niemi, but was stopped.

The Sharks got on the board first on the power play as Dan Boyle scored on a shot from the blue line past a screened Rinne at 17:47 of the first period.

The first period ended with the Predators on the power play, and they would have 28 seconds of carry over time to start the second period.

How anemic was the Predators offense in the first period?

The Predators were out shot 16-6, and although the Predators skated well, they were still failing to generate any meaningful offensive chances.

The Predators opened the second period without the services of Brandon Yip, who took a hard hit along the end boards midway of the first period and was out for the remainder of the game.

The Sharks made the Predators pay for a Ryan Ellis tripping penalty as Joe Pavelski gathered in a puck at the side of the net a fired it between Rinne and the post at 9:12. Rinne thought the puck was coming off the end board to his right, but it came off to the left and he never saw the puck until it was too late.

The Sharks were 2 for 3 on the power play, and the Predators were still impotent on offense.

Not exactly a winning formula.

Fortunately for the Predators, the Sharks did not do any more damage in the second, but as inept as this offense is, a one goal lead by the opponent is usually a winner. A two goal lead is insurmountable.

The Predators had been out shot 30-12 through two periods and had rarely threatened Niemi.

The third period saw the Sharks play with the Predators, as they knew the Predators were not going to threaten them offensively.

That changed at 14:30 as the Predators were trying to kill off another penalty. The Sharks were working the puck on the power play and the puck jumped over the stick of a Sharks defenseman. Gabriel Bourque scooped up the puck and blazed into the Sharks zone and beat Niemi for the Predators first shorthanded goal of the season at 14:3 of the third period.

The hope was that Bourque's stellar effort and goal would give the Predators some life.

Unfortunately for the Predators, it did not.

There was no more scoring, and the Predators were once again left with trying to figure out how to get their offense going after getting out shot 39-19 and losing 2-1.

Some observations:

• A week ago, the Predators were solidly in 4th place in the West. Now, they cling to a tenuous 1 point lead over 4 tams and sit in 7th. They are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games, and this coincides with the disappearance of their offense.

• Nick Spaling, Sergei Kostitsyn, and Colin Wilson had no shots. Mike Fisher and David Legwand each had 1. Now, I am not an NHL coach, but it seems to me that if the forwards are not shooting the puck, it is going to be difficult to score. It is frustrating to watch the forwards pass up shots, turn the puck over, and fail to drive the net consistently. Getting out shot 39-19 tonight, and in most games by a double digit margin, points out the fact that the forwards are not playing a simple game and with grit. Shots have to get to the net and there has to be traffic. That is not happening often enough.

• The effort in the last few games has been appalling. There has been little push back when challenged and rarely has the gritty play that has characterized the team been evident. This is problematic for the Predators, because without those attributes, the talent is lacking to win games.

• I believe it is getting to the point that Coach Trotz has to drastically shake up the line up. Legwand is a passenger; Erat is invisible; and Kostitsyn is well...floating. To continue to give top line minutes to players that have no drive and are not producing is a formula for failure.

It is not going to get easier for this team. They have squandered good position and are now in a dog fight for a play off spot. In a tight playoff race, this team has to have players producing and playing with character.

Right now, the ones counted on to produce and play that way are not.

If it doesn't change, the Predators will be watching the playoffs from their living rooms.

My three stars:

1. Dan Boyle

2. Joe Pavelski

3. Gabriel Bourque

Predators Bite the Sharks in a 2-1 SO Win

The Nashville Predators continue their lengthy West coast road trip with a visit to the Shark Tank to take on the undefeated San Jose Sharks. The Predators are looking to build on their momentum from their shootout win on Thursday night against the L.A. Kings, while the Sharks are looking to continue their torrid pace lead by veteran Patrick Marleau, who has led the Sharks to a 7-0 record. The Predators enter with a record of 2-2-3.

The task for the Predators was going to be more difficult as they would be without the services of Marty Erat, who took a shot off the foot in practice and was out of the line up due to swelling. The Predators were already without Patric Hornqvist, who has been lost for 3-4 weeks with a knee injury.

The Predators had Pekka Rinne in net while the Sharks went with Antii Niemi.

Les than a minute in the contest, Brandon Yip was called for holding, and the potent Sharks power play was going to test the Predators PK. Fortunately, the Predators PK unit did their job.

The Predators had a subsequent power play, and although they did not score, they had good puck possession and created some chances.

The first period ended scoreless, but the Predators had good jump and were skating hard. The shots on goal were 8-6 in favor of the Sharks. The Predators would open the second period on the power play and would have 1:50 of power play time.

The forecheck and the effort by the team in the first period was the best it had been all season. The Predators needed to build on this momentum for the second period.

The concern for the Predators was the health of Sergei Kostitsyn. Kostitsyn was hammered on a check and left midway of the first period. He was bleeding from a cut on the bridge of his nose, and hopefully he was just getting that cut repaired and not dealing with a more serious injury.

Kostitsyn did return for the second period for the Predators.

The Predators were the beneficiaries of two power play opportunities in the first 10 minutes of the second period but could not take advantage. By the same token, the Predators PK was effective in killing off the Sharks man advantage.

The Sharks nearly cracked the scoreboard at 10:17 of the second on the power play as a shot trickled through the pads of Rinne but hit the post. He did not know the puck was in the blue paint and Martin Havlat had a chance to tap the puck in the net but skated past it in celebration as he thought the puck had gone in the net. The Predators defense swarmed the crease and safely tucked the puck under Rinne.

The second 20 minutes was scoreless, but both teams moved the puck and created some chances. Shots were 11-7 for the Sharks.

The Predators continued to skate hard and the forecheck looked like the Predators forecheck that had been missing in many of the games this season. The Predators needed to continue this effort in the third period.

The Predators would get on the scoreboard first just 59 seconds into the third period as Colin Wilson worked hard to get control of the puck off the boards in the Sharks zone. He slid the puck to Sergei Kostitsyn who let go a quick wrist shot that beat Niemi glove side to give the Predators a 1-0 lead and notch his first goal of the year.

The Predators continued to put pressure on the Sharks in their zone and generated some good scoring chances. Their offensive zone presence and stout pressure in the neutral zone was not allowing the Sharks to get speed through the neutral zone and prevented them from getting the offensive zone cleanly.

The Sharks tied the game on the power play as the Predators were called for too many men on the ice. The puck took a funny bounce off the end boards and careened to Martin Havlat who backhanded the puck past Rinne to tie the game at 13:39.

The Predators had flirted with trouble by taking penalties, but had been successful in the kill until this point. The Sharks have a potent offense and on the power play are deadly. This penalty was the one that finally cost the Predators. 

The remainder of the period was scoreless, but the Sharks nearly tallied a second goal in a furious goal mouth scramble.

So once again, the Predators were heading to overtime for the fifth time this season.

The Sharks had some good pressure early in the overtime period, but the Predators had a good response. David Legwand nearly ended the game on a drive to the net but Niemi made a great toe save on his backhand attempt.

The Predators got a power play as Martin Havlat got a hooking call at 2:48 of the extra period. The Predators threw shots at the net but couldn't get a puck past Niemi, and once again, the Predators were heading to the shootout.

The Predators were 1-3 on shootouts this year.

In the shootout, the Sharks elected to shoot first.

Rinne stopped Michael Handzus and Niemi stopped David Legwand in the first round.

In the second round, Rinne stoned Ryan Clowe while Craig Smith deked Niemi and roofed a backhand shot for the score.

Rinne sealed the Predators win in the third round as his glove hand swallowed up the wrist shot from Joe Pavelski.

Down two key forwards and playing against a team that had not previously suffered a loss, the Predators gave their best effort of the season. Tonight, the Predators looked like the Predators team that we have come to expect: relentlessly forechecking; getting pucks to the net; and a solid effort for 60, uh, 65 minutes.

This is the type of win the team can build upon. They won against one of the best teams in the NHL with character, grit and effort.

Keep it going, boys.

My three stars:

1. Pekka Rinne

2. Sergei Kostitsyn

3. Craig Smith

Sharks Slip By the Predators in a SO 2-1

The Nashville Predators continued their west coast road trip with a stop at HP Pavilion to take on the San Jose Sharks. This game wan important game- as they all are at this time of season- as the Predators could leapfrog the Detroit Red Wings into 4th place in the Western Conference with a win.

Pekka Rinne started in net for the Predators while the Sharks went with Antti Niemi.

Once again, the Predators were facing a desperate team in the Sharks, who at the outset of this game were sitting 3 points out of a playoff spot with 78 points. For the Predators, this was going to be another contest where they had to match the intensity of a team that was fighting for their playoff life.

Early in the contest, the Sharks dominated the contest with puck possession and a good cycle game. Through the first nine minutes of the contest, the Sharks out shot the Predators 6-1.

Certainly an ominous start for the Predators.

The Predators would start skating and getting into the contest, and their first break came when Marc-Edouard Vlasic was called for high sticking Sergei Kostitsyn.

The Predators red hot power play made the Sharks pay for their transgression as Mike Fisher skated off the half wall and got the puck to Patric Hornqvist alone at the top of side of the net. Hornqvist was not challenged by the Sharks D, and he spun and put the puck in the top corner at 13:18 of the first period to give the Predators a 1-0 lead. This was Hornqvist's team leading 22nd goal of the season.

Throughout the first period, the Sharks did a good job in the neutral zone of slowing down the Predators speed and consequently the Predators had a difficult time setting up their offense. This was reflected in the shot totals for the first period, with the Sharks out shooting the Predators 13-6.

Going into the second period, it was going to be important for the Predators to control the puck and have crisp breakouts. The Sharks were going to keep coming at the Predators, and their offensive effort was going to have to improve.

The second period opened as the first had ended with the Sharks swarming the Predators, who seemed to be back on their heels at the start.

Although the Sharks were controlling the puck in the Predators zone, the Predators defense did a good job of keeping the Sharks to the outside and limiting quality scoring chances. The Predators had a few good scoring chances as well, but could not get anything past Niemi.

Pekka Rinne made a huge stop on Martin Havlat, who was alone at the side of the net to keep the game scoreless at the 14 minute mark of the second. Rinne was sprawled on the ice and manage to get his glove on Havlat's shot to deny the goal. Rinne had made some big stops in this game, none bigger than that.

Martin Havlat tripped Pekka Rinne in a dirty play and a scrum broke loose involving all the players on the ice. The result was a power play for the Predators, but the power play was ineffective, mounting only one shot on net.

A truculent second period ended with the Predators still leading 1-0 but on the penalty kill with David Legwand in the box for interference. The Sharks would have 1:49 of power play time to start the third period. The Sharks out shot the Predators 15-14 in the second period.

The third period would be one where the Predators had to match the intensity of the and desperation of the Sharks and keep up their offensive pressure. Niemi had been giving up rebounds, and the Predators needed to capitalize on their opportunities.

The Sharks tied the game 55 seconds into the third period as a shot from the point ricocheted to Joe Thornton alone at the side of the net and he buried the shot past Rinne, who had no chance on the play.

Game on, now, and it was time for the Predators to step up their effort.

After the power play goal by the Sharks, they began to dominate the Predators. The Predators had to kill of another penalty, which they did successfully, but the Sharks were on the attack and the Predators were back on their heels. The Predators needed to get their offensive effort going again and challenge the Sharks in their zone.

The Predators did respond and started controlling the puck and firing shots on Niemi. The Predators needed to get good follow up chances on the rebounds that Niemi was giving up.

They could not, just as the Sharks could not get a puck past Rinne, and for the second game in a row, the Predators were heading to overtime.

In the third period, the Predators out shot the Sharks 10-4.

The Sharks opened the OT with absolutely dominant play, aided by the Predators sloppy puck handling. Rinne made a great save on a breakaway by Dan Boyle to keep the Predators in the game.

Shea Weber took a penalty with 3.9 seconds left in the OT, and the Sharks Patrick Marleau missed a good scoring chance with a backhand just as the horn sounded to end the period.

So for the second game in a row, the Predators were going to have to decide a contest in a shootout.

San Jose would shoot first, and Martin Havlat was the first shooter and was stoned by Rinne.

Poetic justice after Havlat's earlier dirty play.

Craig Smith was stopped by Niemi.

Joe Pavelski was stopped by the stick of Rinne.

Andrei Kostitsyn lost the puck but got a weak shot away that was stopped by Niemi.

Ryan Clowe beat Rinne stick side to give the Sharks a 1-0 lead in the shoot out.

David Legwand was stopped by Niemi, and the Sharks captured the win in the shootout.

The Predators started slowly, weathered the Sharks storm, and fought their way back in this game. The fact is that the Sharks were the more desperate team and played like it for much of the night. The Predators effort was solid, but not good enough to capture the second point they wanted.

Coming out of this game, the concern is for the health of Paul Gaustad, who injured his hand in the third period and did not return to the game.

The road gets no easier for the Predators, as they face another desperate team in the L.A. Kings on Saturday night.

Time to re-group and get back to the winning ways.

My three stars:

1. Antti Niemi

2. Pekka Rinne

3. Ryan Clowe

Predators Turn the Sharks to Sushi 6-2

Gonna be brief on this blog as I am typing with one hand and the drugs are kicking in*

The Nashville Predators defeated the San Jose Sharks 6-2 at the Bridgestone Arena to run their point total to 79 and firmly hold on to the fifth spot on the /western Conference.

Pekka Rinne won his 34th game, best in the NHL and a personal record for the stellar netminder. Rinne made some big saves in this game and carried the Predators in the third period as the Sharks outshot the Predators in the final frame by a 16-3 margin.

The Predators scored on their first two shots as Colin Wilson and Shea Weber potted goals off odd man rushes. Jordin Tootoo played a strong game, setting up the first goal by stealing the puck from Colin White and feeding the puck to a breaking Colin Wilson, who beat Antti Niemi low stick side for a 1-0 lead. Tootoo's hard work behind the net to gain control of the puck and set up Nick Spaling for a one timer from the slot capped the scoring for the Predators, making the score 6-2.

Shea Weber tallied the first of his two goals off a 3 on 2 rush. Sergei Kostitsyn made a nice pass across the slot to Weber, who roofed the puck over Niemi to make it 2-0 Predators on their first two shots of the game. Weber would later tally on a blast from the blue line while the Predators were on the power play in the second period.

The Sharks cut the lead to 2-1 on a goal by Patrick Marleau from the top of the blue paint at 10:58 of the first period.

The Predators showed great resilience in this game by answering each challenge to their lead by the Sharks. Kevin Klein stretched the lead back to two goals by notching his 4th goal with a shot from just inside the blue line. Klein tied his season high with this goal. Niemi had allowed 3 goals on 7 shots and was pulled in favor of Thomas Greiss.

Joe Pavelski scored just 23 seconds into the second period with a shot from just inside the face off circle to make it 3-2. Weber gave the Predators a 4-2 lead with his power play tally.

The third period was all Sharks and all Rinne. The Sharks pounded the predator net with 16 shots and were territorially dominant in the final frame. Rinne was more than up to the challenge, turning away numerous opportunities by the Sharks, many with heavy traffic in front. San Jose scored, but the goal was waved off as the Sharks interfered with Rinne. No penalty was called on the play as incidental contact with Rinne was called on the ice.

Greiss was pulled with 2:12 remaining for the extra attacker, and Marty Erat buried an empty netter to make it 5-2. Spaling tallied at 19:18 to make it 6-2, the final score.

In this game, the Predators did an exceptional job of supporting the puck, something they failed to do in their previous game. This lead to a good cycle in the offensive zone and some quality scoring chances. The breakouts through the neutral zone were crisp and allowed the Predators to gain entry into the offensive zone with speed, which gave the Sharks problems.

What can be said about the play of Rinne? He absolutely carried the team on his back in the third period. The Predators spent much of the period hemmed in their own zone, and the Sharks were sending pucks and players to the net. Rinne was stellar, tracking the puck through traffic and making numerous big saves. His play continues to be amazing, and you can see teams getting frustrated as they realize they cannot beat the athletic netminder. Thanks, Pekka, for an outstanding effort tonight.

The Predators continue to get balanced scoring and solid defense and netminding. This is a winning formula, and they have to continue this level of play to keep pace with the competitive Central Division.

My three stars:

1. Pekka Rinne

2. Shea Weber

3. Jordin Tootoo

* shoulder surgery yesterday has limited the use of one arm

Predators Cap an Improbale Comeback, Defeat Sharks 4-3 in OT

The Nashville Predators continued their west coast swing with a visit to the Shark Tank to take on the San Jose Sharks. The Tank has not been a hospitable place for the Predators, and they were looking to change their fortunes in the second meeting between the two teams.

Pekka Rinne got the start for the Predators, while Antti Niemi was in net for the Sharks.

Although the first period was scoreless, it was not for lack of effort by the Sharks. They blasted shot after shot at Rinne, a total of 18 in the period. Rinne was stellar, making some big saves to keep the Sharks off the board.

By contrast, Niemi had little work on his end of the ice, facing only 7 shots, and most of his saves were of a routine variety as the Predators rarely challenged the Sharks tender with serious offensive pressure.

The way this game started, it appeared as if the Predators were going to spend the entire game chasing the Sharks around the ice. The lack of offensive pressure was disconcerting and left Predator fans wondering where their offense was.

Apparently Head Coach Barry Trotz had a heart to heart talk with his team at intermission, because the Predators came out with more jump. Their efforts paid off at 1:02 of the period as David Legwand tipped a shot from Colin Wilson while driving the net to stake the Predators to a 1-0 lead.

The Sharks tied the game at 4:40 when Joe Pavelski took a nice pass from Logan Couture and beat Rinne stick side. This play was set up by good forechecking pressure from the Sharks, which they used to perfection in the first two periods to create havoc in the Predators zone.

The Sharks took a 2-1 lead at 9:50 of the period as Martin Havlat scored off a goal mouth scramble. Logan Couture was in the crease after being knocked down and appeared to be impeding the ability of Rinne to get over to the side of the net, but it was a non call and the goal stood.

The relentless forecheck of the Sharks was causing problems for the Predators, and everyone knew that it was not going to let up in the third period. The Predators were going to have to find a way to break the pressure and get through the neutral zone and establish their offense to have a chance in the third period.

In the second period, the Predators outshot the Sharks 13-10, indicative of a better effort by the Predators. It was going to be imperative that the Predators bring this kind of effort in the final twenty minutes.

The Sharks opened a 2 goal lead as the puck took a strange carom off the end board and went out front right to the stick of Logan Couture, who buried the shot past an out of position Rinne just 50 seconds into the period. The Sharks are tough enough without fluky goals going into the Predators net.

Patric Hornqvist pulled the Predators back to within one goal as Shea Weber took a wrist shot from the point that Niemi could not control. Hornqvist found the puck laying in the blue paint and tapped it home at 2:57 of the third. That was Hornqvist's 6th goal in the last 5 five games.

Ryan Suter tied the game at 5:58 of the third on the power play. With Patrick Marleau in the box, Suter worked his way to the high slot and rifled a shot past a screened Niemi with Craig Smith in front. For the Predators, this was their first power play goal in three attempts.

The remainder of the third period saw both teams generate some good chances in end to end action. Pekka Rinne preserved a point for the Predators with an amazing save on Joe Pavelski with 28 seconds left in the period and the Predators a man down. Rinne slid across the crease and got a pad on the shot to keep the Sharks off the board.

The third period was the best period of the night in regulation for the Predators. They outshot the Sharks 13-7 and their forecheck was very strong and created chances.

The Predators opened the overtime period with the carryover of the penalty to Jonathan Blum, and they were able to successfully kill off the penalty. 

The Predators capped an improbable comeback as David Legwand roofed a backhand shot over Niemi with Colin Wilson doing the dirty work in front of the net with a great screen. The score came 2:53 into the overtime period.

This was a gritty, character win by the Predators. Down 3-1 early in the third, this team fought back and did not quit. They were down two regulars, Kevin Klein and Sergei Kostitsyn, and broke up their top D pairing of Weber and Suter. They were dominated in the first period, but kept fighting back.

They played Predator hockey, and the result was a victory.

Kudos to Colin Wilson, who skated hard all night, shot the puck, and was screening in front on the game winning goal.

This young team has learned some painful lessons in their early season losses. They are now learning to win these types of games, tough games that require heart.

These lessons are a lot more fun.

My three stars:

1. David Legwand

2. Logan Couture

3. Patric Hornqvist

Honorable mention: Pekka Rinne, Colin Wilson

Sharks Stymie the Predators 3-1

When opposing goalies face the Nashville Predators, they should refund part of their pay.

They are certainly not having to work hard to earn their check.

Once again, the Predators were outshot by a wide margin, 36-20, in falling again at home 3-1 to the San Jose Sharks. For the year, the Predators are winless at home.

I cannot fault the effort of the Predators. They skated hard all night. The painful fact is that the Predators have no finishers now- guys that can get the puck on the net or in the net. And until that changes, the Predators are going to struggle mightily.

In the first period, the Predators were outshot 17-7. The Predators did a good job of breaking out and getting the puck in the offensive zone, but once in the zone were unable to generate any quality scoring chances. Antii Niemi got the start for the Sharks, and was never really threatened in the first period. Or the second period for that matter.

Logan Couture opened the scoring for the Sharks at 14:22 of the first period as the Predators gave up their first shorthanded goal of the season. Couture broke in past the defense and fired as shot that starting netminder Pekka Rinne stopped with his pad. Couture continued to the net, beating the Predators defense back to the puck and flipped a rebound over the Rinne's shoulder for the Sharks first tally.

The lack of serious scoring chances by the Predators made this goal look as if it would stand up as the game winner.

After a scoreless second period that saw the Predators outshot by a 10-5 margin, the outloof for the home team was grim. I cannot explain the lack of chemistry or offensive push by this team. Once they enter the offensive zone, it is as if they go into a shell and cannot figure out how to get shots on net. The secret to the Predators success has been to shoot the puck and crash the net. The first part of that formula is to shoot the puck, something the Predators have failed to do in every game.

There was fight left in the Predators in the third period, as Jordin Tootoo, who had a very solid game, absolutely blasted Logan Couture with a clean check. Ryan Clowe came over and dropped the gloves to fight, saw that it was Tootoo that he would be matched up with, and proceeded to turn tail and run.Clowe was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, and on the ensuing power play, Craig Smith was able to jam the puck home from in front of the net to tie the game at 13:12 of the third period.

The Sharks sucked all the life out fo Bridgestone Arena with a Joe Pavelski goal at 14:09. Pavelski beat Rinne glove side as he was late sliding back across to the post. Pavelski would add an empty net goal at 18:48 to seal the win for the Sharks.

The Predators have always relied on the solid play of Rinne, but the fact is that early in this season, the team has leaned too heavily on their netminder. Their failure to shoot the puck and get scoring chances means that Rinne has to be perfect every night, and that is a tall order for any goalie.

Until this team develops a scoring mentality, they will struggle. Right now, there is now pure goal scorer on this team. This simply means that the Predators have to get back to shooting the puck and crashing the net. This team is not doing this, and until they do, the losses will pile up.

The team welcomed back Francis Buillon and Mike Fisher, and their contributions were noticeable. Fisher had an assist on Smith's goal and logged 19:30 in ice time. Buillon had 17:30 in ice time and was even in plus/minus for the night.

The predators continue to be a work in progress. Here is the stark fact this team has to overcome: Fisher, Patric Hornqvist, Jerred Smithson, Matt Halischuk, Blake Geoffrion, and Brian McGratten (why is he in the line up again?) all had no shots on goal. Sergei Kostitsyn, Colin Wilson, and Nick Spaling all had one shot on gaol. That is nine forwards with one shot or less.

That is unbelievable and unacceptable.

It is time for this team to realize that no shot is a bad shot. NO shots are bad. The difference is not subtle. This team will not win with this kind of effort.

See the opposing team's net, guys. That is where you HAVE to shoot the puck.

It really is a simple game.

My three stars:

1. Joe Pavelski

2. Logan Couture

3. Craig Smith