Predators Win a Wild One Over the Flames 6-5

The Nashville Predators offense can score against the Calgary Flames.

Unfortunately, the Predators defense can't seem to stop the Flames from scoring.

The Predators played a wild affair with the Flames at the ScotiaBank Saddledome that saw both teams light up the scoreboard and pull their starting goalies in a game that the Predators eventually won 6-5.

The Predators opened the game with good jump and skating well. That effort gave them a two goal lead as they tallied two goals just 49 seconds apart. Victor Bartley opened the scoring with a drive from outside the faceoff circle that beat Flames netminder Joni Ortio.. The play was set up by the speed of Craig Smith, who beat the Calgary defense down the ice and set up Bartley with a nice pass.

Bartley's first NHL goal came at 5:10 of the first period.

Shea Weber made it 2-0 as he drove the net and took a pass from Mike Fisher and lifted the puck over the shoulder of Ortio at 5:59 of the first.

The Flames scored on the power play with 34 seconds remaining in the first period as Kris Russell beat Pekka Rinne over the glove with a shot from the face off circle.

The Predators would notch two more goals in the second period. Michael Del Zotto hit Patric Hornqvist with a perfect lead pass that he re-directed past Ortio at 4:20 of the second to give the Predators a 3-1 lead.

That lead evaporated in just 51 seconds as the Flames scored two quick goals.

Mike Cammalleri scored at 6:23 and Jiri Hudler scored at 7:14. All of a sudden, the Predators had lost control of momentum and of the game.

Viktor Stalberg gave the Predators that momentum back as well as the lead as he stuffed a puck past MacDonald on a wrap around at 8:06.

That was it for Ortio as he was pulled and Joey MacDonald came in to tend the net for the Flames

The Flames tied the game on an egregious play by Rinne as he was caught behind the net and the Flames gained possession of the puck. Lance Bouma got control of the puck and passed it to Mikael Backlund in the slot and he fired it into the open net at 13:31.

That would be it for Rinne as Carter Hutton came in net. Not the sharpest night for Rinne, especially on the play that gave the Flames the tying goal.

The Predators broke the tie on the power play as Shea Weber hammered a shot from the face off circle past MacDonald to give the Predators a 5-4 lead at 14:28 of the third period.

Now, could the Predators make the lead stand up?

The Predators made their case to do just that as Patric Hornqvist carried the puck into the zone and dropped the puck for Roman Josi. Josi took a shot toward the net that was re-directed past MacDonald by Matt Cullen to give the Predators a 6-4 lead at 17:08.

The Predators are... the Predators, however.

Mike Cammalleri took a shot from almost on the goal line that got between Hutton's pads and barely dribbled over the goal line to make it 6-5 at 17:36 of the third.

Wow. Just wow.

With the Flames goalie pulled for the extra attacker, Hutton made a huge save on Sean Monahan. The Predators managed to keep the Flames off the board and secured a wild 6-5 victory.


Some observations:

• Congratulations to Victor Bartley, who got his first NHL goal. Bartley has been a perma scratch this season but has maintained a good attitude and I think can be a solid contributor for the Predators blue line.

• Calle Jarnkrok picked up his first NHL point with an assist on Stalberg's goal. Jarnkrok looked good in his NHL debut, playing with poise and good jump. He showed some good puck handling skills and vision on the ice and has a lot of promise. He played on a line with Craig Smith and Gabriel Bourque and they looked good all night.

• Rinne had a brutal night. Those games happen, but tonight Rinne just didn't look comfortable in net.

• Shea Weber continues to have a stellar season. His two goals tonight give him 18 for the season to lead all NHL defensemen. He has played solid all season long and has to be in consideration for the Norris Trophy.

• This Predators team cannot seem to develop a killer instinct. Twice they surrendered two goal leads, and against most opponents that does not bode well. Kudos to the Predators, though, for battling back and eventually winning this game.

• Several players for the Predators had big nights. Matt Cullen had 4 points (1G-3A); Patric Hornqvist had 3 points (1G-2A); and Shea Weber had 2 points (2G). It was also good to see Viktor Stalberg get a goal. he has been working hard and is more productive off the 4th line.

This was a game the Predators did not need to lose, and congratulations to them for staying with it and capturing the win.

Hopefully the offense that showed up tonight will stick around for the rest of the season.

My three stars:

1. Matt Cullen

2. Patric Hornqvist

3. Mike Cammalleri

Predators Special K Too Much for Detroit

"To be the man, you have to beat the man"

That quote by wrestling superstar Ric Flair sums up the Predators game with the Detroit Red Wings in Nashville at the Bridgestone Arena. The man- Detroit- was coming to town, a team the Predators have been chasing since their inception and were once again chasing this season. Detroit was 6 points in front of the Predators, and the Preds needed this game if they were going to close the gap and potentially pass the Wings in the standings.

Never mind that the man was coming into this game wounded, with numerous starters out of the line up. Never mind that the Wings played last night. This was Detroit, a still dangerous and good team, and the Predators had to have this win if they were going to move up in the standings.

Pekka Rinne was in net for the Predators, while the Wings went with Joey MacDonald.

The Predators did a good job of moving the puck, especially through the neutral zone to get set up in the offensive zone. Detroit did the same, and both teams tested the others defense, neither able to get a puck past the netminders.

That changed at 7:30 of the first period as David Legwand and Patric Hornqvist broke in 2 on 1. Legwand carried the puck in and drew the defense to him before slipping a pass to Hornqvist. Hornqvist took the pass on his tape and buried a quick wrister past MacDonald to give the Predators a 1-0 lead.

Predator fans were still celebrating Hornqvist's team leading 21st goal when the Wings tied the game just 13 seconds later. Drew Miller came out from behind the Predators goal line with the puck and slipped a shot between Rinne and the post to tie the game at 1.

After some more back and forth play, the Predators went to the man advantage at 10:22 of the first period as Doug Janik was called for high sticking Colin Wilson. The Predators made the Wings pay as Andrei Kostitsyn took a pass from his brother Sergei while camped at the top of the blue paint. Ak46 spun with the puck and whipped a backhand past MacDonald to give the Predators a 2-1 lead at 11:59 of the first period.

The second period was scoreless, with both teams generating some chances but neither able to get one in the net as both Rinne and MacDonald were solid in their play.

Going into the third period, the Predators were looking to extend their lead and gain some breathing room. That would come at 4:34 of the third as Andrei Kostitsyn would once again strike on the power play off an assist from his brother Sergei. AK46 took a pass from SK74 at the side of the net and was able to lift the puck past MacDonald to give the Predators a 3-1 lead.

This was Detroit- the man- and everyone knew they would have a strong push in the the remaining time in the third period. And push the Wings did. They out shot the Predators 18-6 in the period, and Pekka Rinne was called upon to make some good saves to keep the lead at 2.

The Wings would cut the lead to 1 at 14:35 of the third as Justin Abdelkader took a shot from the low slot that Rinne was able to stop. Abdelkader was able to get his stick on the rebound and while being knocked to the ice by Ryan Suter was able to lift the puck over Rinne to make it 3-2.

The Wiings continued to push, but could not get another puck past Rinne. With MacDonald pulled for the extra attacker, the Predators continued to force the Wings to the outside and Rinne made some big saves. The Wings got some help with 10 seconds remaining in the game as Shea Weber was called for roughing, but the Predators kept the Wings from getting a shot on net to seal the win.

Full marks go to the Predators penalty killers, who killed off 4 Detroit power plays, including 10 seconds of a 5 on 3 in the second period on back to back penalties. In the second of those kills, the Predators did not allow the potent Detroit power play a shot on goal.

The Predators power play was the difference in this game. The PP unit was 2 of 4, and this unit had some special chemistry when the Kostitsyn's were on the ice. The acquisition of Andrei Kostitsyn has paid dividends for the Predators as he has 6 points in 5 games since being acquired at the trade deadline. He uses his big frame well down low and has good hands, and those attributes were on display tonight.

David Legwand played a solid game and had 3 assists tonight. Pekka Rinne was once again stellar in net, stopping 35 of 37 shots and making some good saves to keep the Wings off the board. Rinne continues to lead the NHL in wins, picking up his 38th win tonight.

This was a solid win for the Predators, one they needed if they were going to catch the Wings, and more importantly, to keep pace with other teams in the Western Conference. They stepped up and played the type of game they are capable of playing.

And for tonight, they were the man.

My three stars:

1. Andrei Kostitsyn

2. David Legwand

3. Sergei Kostitsyn

Honorable mention:

Pekka Rinne

Red Wings Eke Out a 2-1 Win Over the Predators

The Nashville Predators looked to end the Detroit Red Wings 21 game home winning streak at the Joe in a contest between two Central Division foes fighting for division and conference supremacy. The Wings home winning streak was nothing short of amazing, and the Predators faced a daunting task trying to derail the home juggernaut that was Detroit.

Pekka Rinne got the start in net for the Predators, while Joey MacDonald, doing an admirable job filling in for the injured Jimmy Howard, manned the pipes for the Wings.

The Predators were playing without Patric Hornqvist, who was placed on injured reserve today with an upper body injury suffered in the game with the Boston Bruins. The Wings were missing Patric Eaves and Dan Cleary.

The Predators and the Wings both generated some good scoring chances, and both goaltenders were equal to the task that the opposing offenses presented. That changed at 12:44 of the first as the Predators defense left Johan Franzen alone in the low slot and the feed from Todd Bertuzzi was on his tape, allowing him to bury a quick wrist shot behind Rinne for a 1-0 Detroit lead.

The first period ended with the score 1-0 and the Wings recording 14 shots on goal to 9 for Nashville.

One mistake, and the Predators found the puck in the back of their net.

While not a bad period for the Predators, their offensive effort was going to have to improve with more shots and quality shots.

The second period, long a bane for the Predators, saw them out work, out hit, and out hustle the Wings. The Predators forecheck was working, bottling the Wings up in their zone and creating chances. The Predators best scoring chance came on a set up from Sergei Kostitsyn that sent Marty Erat in alone on MacDonald. Unfortunately for the Predators, MacDonald stopped the glorious scoring chance, as he had done so far during the game.

The Predators finally broke through at 14:58 of the second as Jordin Tootoo stole the puck from Jakob Kindl and fed Nick Spaling in front of the MacDonald. Spaling cashed in on the chance, tying the game at 1.

For the Predators, this had to be a big relief. Lots of chances and unable to beat MacDonald, the pressure was mounting.

The period ended tied at 1; Nashville had 8 shots on goal in the second, while Detroit had 7.

This presaged a third period that would be a battle.

And a battle it was. Both teams went up and down the ice, created chances, but could not finish.

That would change with just 5 seconds to go as Pavel Datsyuk broke in on a breakaway and beat Rinne over his shoulder to take a 2-1 lead, which would be the final score.

Let's face it, the Wings are the best team in the NHL, and the Predators competed and gave them all they wanted for the duration of the game. The Wings were just a little bit better tonight, but a little bit means a big difference in the outcome of a game like this.

I thought the effort by the Predators was solid. They forechecked well, were solid on defense, and except for two plays, could have won this game.

Yet those two plays were the difference, and those are the plays that elite teams make.

If I were to criticize any aspect of the Predators game, it was that they did not finish their chances. They had 4 breakaway attempts, none of which they could bury. They had some good scoring chances at even strength and could not finish. This is something that has to improve for this team.

This was at least one point the Predators gave away. That is painful.

The thing the Predators have to do now is learn from that pain and channel it. Use it to start another winning streak.

And don't let another team eke out a win.

My three stars:

1. Pavel Datsyuk

2. Nick Spaling

3. Johan Franzen

Predators/Wings Redux: Wings Whipped (Again) 4-1

The Nashville Predators washed away the stench of a debacle in their previous game against Edmonton with a decisive 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings at the Joe Louis Arena. The victory over the Red Wings moves the season series to 3-1 for the Predators.

The Predators lost their last game from the neck up. Simply put, the Predators didn't have the mental toughness to respond to the challenge of the Oilers. It was going to be interesting to see if the Predators had the mental toughness to respond to the challenge the Wings would present and overcome the onus of winning games at the Joe.

They did.

Marty Erat opened the scoring for the Predators at 3:09 of the first period. Marcel Goc drove the net and made a backhand pass to Erat, who was driving the wing. Erat uncorked a high shot that went over the shoulder of Detroit's Jimmy Howard and just under the crossbar. The play was set up by the strong drive to the net by Goc, and Erat made no mistake in burying the shot for his 8th goal of the season.

The Predators would make it 2-0 at 14:13 of the first period as Ryan Suter let a shot go that Howard kicked out with his left pad. The rebound came over to David Legwand and he put the rebound into an open net.

The Predators did not succumb to their unhealthy characteristic of sitting back with a lead as the opened the second period with good pressure. Joel Ward dug a puck out from behind the net and got a pass to Jerred Smithson. Smithson spotted Colin Wilson driving the net and fired a pass to him. His first shot was blocked by the pad of Howard, but Wilson followed his rebound and potted the puck into the net for his 13th goal of the season and a 3-0 Predators lead.

The Predators continued to pressure the Wings throughout the period, skating well and slowing the Wings potent attack through the neutral zone. The forecheck did a great job of disrupting the Wings breakout and kept them bottled up in their zone throughout the game. This type of play was missing against the Oilers in their previous game, and tonight was the difference in securing this big win for the Predators.

That effort would lead to the Predators second goal of the period and fourth of the game. This goal would come on the power play as Shea Weber unleashed a blast from the point that Howard could not control. Sergei Kostitsyn beat Niklas Lidstrom to the puck and had an open net into which to shoot the puck.

4-0 Predators. Take a seat, Mr. Howard. Thanks for coming.

Hello Joey MacDonald.

Ruslan Salei would break the shutout that Nashville netminder Pekka Rinne had pitched to that point with a tap in rebound goal at 16:02 of the second period. This was the only blemish on an otherwise spectacular night by Rinne, who stopped 34 of 35 Detroit shots.

The Predators pressured the Detroit net throughout the third period, but could not get a puck past MacDonald, who made some very good saves. Although the Predators could not find the back of the net in the third period, neither could the Wings, who were stymied by Rinne and the Predators defensive effort.

With no scoring in the third period, the Predators made the three goal lead stand up over the final 20 minutes with solid defense and continued offensive pressure in the Detroit zone. This is Predator hockey.

It is winning hockey.

The Predators are tied for 4th in the Western Conference with Dallas, who is playing at the time of this post. Each team has 65 points. With this win, the Predators are 29-19-7.

The Predators lost Marcel Goc near the end of the first period with an upper body injury. The extent of the injury is unknown. It was thought that Goc might return later in the game, but he never returned to the bench.

The contrast between the game Monday against the Oilers and tonight's game against the Wings is stark. When this team plays with confidence, when they skate, when the defense is sound, they are very tough. When their heads are not in the game, they can absolutely stink.

Admit it guys, it is a lot more fun when you play like this rather than how you played on Monday.

There are lots of games- tough games- to be played.

What do you say we have some fun?

My three stars:

1. Pekka Rinne

2. David Legwand

3. Sergei Kostitsyn

Predators Whip the Wings 3-0

A four game losing streak and the Central Division leading Detroit Red Wings coming to town did not bode well for the Nashville Predators and their attempt to end the streak. The Predators, however, had Pekka Rinne in net, and the big netminder stopped all 35 shots he faced in the 3-0 win to end the losing streak and bring the Predators back into fourth place in the Western Conference and within five points of the division leading Wings.

This was Rinne's third shutout of the season, and it could not have come at a more opportune time for the Predators.

The Predators were facing Joey MacDonald in net, and he would yield the first goal of the game at 3:18 of the first period with the Predators on the power play. Shea Weber pinched in to the faceoff circle and blistered a slapshot over the shoulder of MacDonald off an assist from Ryan Suter. This was the 10th goal of the year for the Captain.

Detroit, like Nashville, has contended with a spate of injuries. This is Detroit, however, and they are a good and dangerous team, wounded or not. It would be important for the Predators to play good defense and get solid goaltending to have a chance to win this game.

The Predators did not get good goaltending. They got great goaltending from Rinne, as he made some excellent saves as well as getting some help from the posts. Darren Helm had a shorthanded breakaway opportunity that Rinne challenged at the top of the blue paint. The shot caromed off the crossbar and the Wings were thwarted in their attempt to tie the game.

In the first period, the Predators limited the Wings to just 6 shots on goal, while firing 11 on MacDonald. With a 1-0 lead going into the second, it was going to be important for the Predators to continue to limit chances from Detroit and cash in on their scoring opportunities.

Limiting the Wings chances took a severe hit just 44 seconds into the second period as Sergei Kostitsyn was called- legitimately- for tripping. However, a second penalty was called on the play as Patric Hornqvist was tagged with a phantom holding call. Two minutes of 5 on three hockey for the Wings and things did not look good for the Predators.

In what could be considered the turning point of the game, the Predators PK was stellar, holding Detroit off the board. Kudos to the PK unit, as their play was excellent all night. This kill stood out as it energized the team, the crowd, and seemed to take some steam out of the Wings. Joel Ward stood out for his aggressive forecheck and his effort all night.

Once again, the Predators found themselves with another kill as Shane O'Brien was in the box for cross checking. However, the tables were turned on the Wings as Ryan Suter found Sergei Kostitsyn streaking through the neutral zone. Suter hit Kostitsyn with a breakout pass and sent him into the offensive zone. Kostitsyn fought off Jakub Kindl and sent a one handed shot that hit the stick of MacDonald and ramped up into the net. 2-0 Predators at 14:03 of the second period.

The Predators killed off two additional man advantages for Detroit in the third, but this is Detroit, and Predator fans knew they would be coming hard.Detroit outshot the Predators 17-6 in the third, and this was in part because the Predators sat back and played defense rather than attack as they had in the first two periods.

Just a word here, boys. Prevent defenses don't work in football, and rarely do they work in hockey.

Of course, prevent defenses in football don't have Pekka Rinne. The Predators rely on the solid play of Rinne to keep other teams off the board, and tonight he didn't disappoint. He did a great job of tracking the puck and not giving up rebounds around the net.

The Predators would put the game away at 17:39 of the third as Kostitsyn tallied his second goal of the night and his 14th of the season. Marcel Goc took a shot that MacDonald kicked out to the side of the net. Kostitsyn corralled the rebound and fired a shot off the back of MacDonald that bounced back into the net.

Game over.

After the game, head Coach Barry Trotz called Rinne "The Eraser" because he erases a lot of mistakes when he is in net. Tonight, Rinne was the epitome of the Eraser, cleaning up mistakes and not giving up rebounds. Rinne always give the Predators a chance in every game they play, and tonight was no exception. As the game wore on, it appeared as if Detroit knew they couldn't solve Rinne.

This team doesn't have marquee talent, but this team can win every night when they play their system and play hard. Tonight, the defense did a great job of limiting quality chances and keeping Detroit to the outside. They cleared lanes and allowed Rinne to see the puck. And they were efficient on offense.

This is a winning formula for the Predators. The  losing streak saw some inconsistency in these facets of their game.

The race is on for positioning in the ultra tight Western Conference. Play like you did tonight, and this team will notch wins and points, and the positioning will take care of itself.

My three stars:

1. Pekka Rinne

2. Sergei Kostitsyn

3. Ryan Suter