Predators Overcome Phantom Goal, Defeat Wild In OT 6-5

After three days off, the Nashville Predators were back in action, traveling to Minnesota for their first meeting of the season with the Wild. The Predators are currently third in the Central Division with 42 points, while Minnesota is 5th with 34 points.

The Predators would be missing James Neal off the top line as he did not make the trip due to illness. Craig Smith moved to the top line line to replace Neal.

The Predators have won 4 of their last 5 contests. The Wild have dropped 4 of their past 6 games.

Pekka Rinne manned the crease for the Predators, while the Wild had Darcy Kuemper between the pipes.

The Wild got off to the start they wanted as Jason Zucker cruised unmolested down the slotand lifted a shot over the shoulder of Rinne to make it 1-0 just 1:10 into the contest. Zucker took a nice pass from Jason Pominville and beat Ryan Ellis right down the middle of the slot for the easy score.

Calle Jarnkrok answered for the Predators with his third goal of the year as he forced a turnover and drove the net. He faked kuemper to ice ice danced around him to deposit the puck into the empty net at 4:37 of the first period.

The Wild took a 2-1 lead at 6:37 as Rinne made a save off a Charlie Coyle shot but the puck went off the skate of Zach Parise and past Rinne.

The Predators tied the game at 13:58 as Victor Bartley threw the puck from behind the goal line and Matt Cullen deflected it short side over the shoulder of Kuemper. Bartley had joined the rush and although he lost the puck had the presence of mind to spot Cullen and flip it back toward the net.

The Predators took their first lead of the game as Craig Smith controlled a face off won by Mike Ribeiro and lifted a backhand shot that hit Kuemper in the shoulder and fluttered into the net at 18:14.

What a Wild (pardon the pun) first period. The Predators out shot the Wild 14-6.

The second period opened with the Wild making a change in net as they brought in Niklas Backstrom.

The Wild tied the game on a power goal, but review showed the puck never crossed the goal line. A further replay seemed to show Derek Roy fishing the puck out from under Rinne when it was across the goal line. The goal was awarded to Marco Scandella.

That would be the only scoring in a bizarre second period. The Predators needed to get their mojo back and take the game in the third period.

That mojo came in the form of Filip Forsberg as he drove into the zone, fired a shot wide and gathered his own rebound and banged the puck into the net for a 4-3 Predator lead at 1:48 of the third period.


The Predators made it a 2 goal lead on the power play (A POWER PLAY GOAL!!) as Roman Josi blasted a shot from the blue line over the shoulder of Backstrom at 9:05 of the third period.

That two goal lead was short lived as Zach Parise redirected a shot on the power play to make it 5-4 at 10:46 of the third period.

The Wild tied the game with the extra attacker on the ice and just 48 seconds remaining. thomas Vanek knocked home a rebound of a Rinne save to tie it a 5.

In the overtime, Mattias Ekholm worked from behind the net to a soft spot in front of the net and fired a wrist shot over the shoulder of Backstrom for the game winner.

Some observations:

• Taylor Beck returned to the line up after missing 4 games with a concussion.
• Paul Gaustad was placed on injured reserve with a lower body injury. Viktor Stalberg has been added to the roster but was not active tonight.
• Victor Bartley was in the line up due to Anton Volchenkov being scratched. Although not as physical as Volchenkov, he plays a solid game and was responsible for the primary assist on the Predators second goal.
• The Predators were guilty of allowing the Wild to drive the slot too many times in the first period. Leaky defense cost them the two goals that they gave up. That leaky defense cost them a regulation win as well as the Predators left too many Wild forwards alone in front of the net throughout the game.
• The bounce back ability of this team continues to impress. Giving up the first goal or falling behind doesn't seem to faze this team as they just keep pushing back in the face of adversity. This is a remarkable turnaround from last season, and while it points to a different mindset, I also believe it points to the confidence these players have in their talent and in one another.
• Mike Fisher was called for a double minor for hooking, a call I have never seen before. The explanation was that he committed two different penalties so both were called. Again, a call I have never seen before.
• The Wild's third goal was specious at best. Called no goal on the ice, there was no video evidence that the puck crossed the goal line, just an inference that it had. This may sound like sour grapes, but if the League wants to keep any credibility that it has, it must do a better job on these kind of calls. This one was a total cluster.
• Filip Forsberg continues his strong play. His 13th goal of the season was a heady play, essentially passing the puck to himself before banging it into the open net. He shows no signs of slowing down and continues his torrid play.
• Olli Jokinen played in his 1200th game tonight.
• Scary moment in the second period as Mike Ribeiro was plowed into the boards by Eric haula. No call on the play, and Ribeiro retreated to the locker room for a brief period but returned to the game.
• Mattias Ekholm showed great patience in scoring the game winner, finding a soft spot a placing the shot in high for the game winner. One of the noticeable differences in the Predators game this season is how active the defense is in the offensive zone, and Ekholm's game winner was the result of his play down low in the offensive zone.
• One could look at the score and say Rinne didn't have a great game. Undoubtedly, it was not his best game, but he didn't get a lot of help in front of the net as the Wild had, for the most, a free reign in front of the net.

The Predators showed some character in winning this game. They kept coming back, overcame adversity and horrible officiating, and just would not quit.

That is the mark of a team that can do great things.

My three stars:

1. Mattias Ekholm

2. Zach Parise

3.Craig Smith

Predators Pick Up First Win, Defeat Wild 3-2

The Nashville Predators tallied their first win of the season, a 3-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild, that was highlighted by special teams play by both squads.

Pekka Rinne earned his first win, while the loss for the Wild could be costly, as they lost starting netminder Niklas Backstrom to an injury in the first period. Josh Harding came on in relief and finished the game for the Wild.

The Wild opened the scoring at 4:05 of the first period. With Seth Jones in the box for high sticking, Zach Parise eluded the defensive coverage and was alone in front of the net and had an easy tap in off a pass from Mikko Koivu.

The Predators went on the power play as Kyle Brodziak was called for interference at 4:15 of the first period. Just 21 seconds later, Koivu was called for tripping. The Predators made the Wild pay for these penalties.

Seth Jones took a shot from the point and the rebound caromed out to Filip Forsberg. Forsberg sniped a shot over the shoulder of Backstrom, showing a quick release and good accuracy on the score. His first NHL goal came at 5:07 of the first period.

With Koivu still in the box, the Predators continued on the power play, and just 39 seconds later, Colin Wilson fired a shot over the shoulder of Backstom to the far post to give the Predators a 2-1 lead.

Eric Nystom had a breakaway attempt, but was slashed and tripped, crashing into Backstom. Backstrom had his leg trapped under Nystrom and was injured on the play. Nystrom was awarded a penalty shot while Backstrom had to leave the game. Harding came into the game and had to face Nystrom on the penalty shot. Nystrom ripped a shot high glove side just under the crossbar to to give the Predators a 3-1 lead.

The Wild cut the lead to 3-2 as Jared Spurgeon scored with one second remaining on a Wild power play at 7:26 of the second period.

That was it for the scoring for the game, but not for lack of chances. Rinne in particular had to be sharp to keep the Predators in the lead as the Wild peppered the net with numerous shots.

Some observations:

• As good as the first period was for the Predators, the second period was awful. The Wild dominated the Predators and the offensive effort showed the recurring and frustrating tendency of disappearing. The Wild out shot the Predators 12-4 in the second period and had a decided territorial advantage. While many of the shots by the Wild were from the perimeter, the Predators are flirting with disaster when their offense is non-existent.

Rinne was sharp throughout the game and made some big saves to keep the Wild off the board. He looks to have no lingering issues from off season hip surgery.

• The power play went 2 for 4, and it is good to see the power play come to life. The Predators need this unit to be productive, and hopefully this give them confidence.

• The penalty kill is another story. The Predators surrendered two goals on five power play opportunities. Part of that is the young layers on the blue line, and part of this is that the penalty killers have not seemed to gel. This has to improve for the Predators to have success.

• I am still not convinced that Ryan Ellis is a regular and dependable blue liner. he is still dominated by more physical forwards and is not contributing offensively.

• Seth Jones continues to impress. Tonight, he had one assist and lead the team in ice time, logging 25:02. 

The Predators needed this win, coming against a divisional rival and starting the season 0-2. Yes, there were some flaws, but the team persevered and competed well. I like the compete level of this team and over time, I believe they will gel and continue to improve.

The Predators next four games are at home in front of their rabid fans.

This is the time to start piling up some wins.

My three stars:

1. Pekka Rinne

2. Filip Forsberg

3. Colin Wilson

Predators Lose Wilson and Game to the Wild

The Nashville Predators and the Minnesota Wild met at the Bridgestone Arena, and the game was another typical Predators/Wild contest.

It was like watching paint dry.

Once again, the Wild claimed a 2-1 shootout victory over the Predators.

Pekka Rinne and Niklas Backstrom dueled in net, with each giving up a goal in regulation. Rinne gave up goals in the shootout to Mikko Koivu and Matt Cullen, while Craig Smith had the only tally for the Predators.

Zach Parise scored on the power play in regulation for the Wild, tipping a puck over the glove of Rinne. The Predators returned the favor on the man advantage as David Legwand scored over the glove of Backstrom.

Some observations:

The Injury Bug Bites. Hard

The Predators were already without the services of Patric Hornqvist, who had been injured in the game against Edmonton the previous night. The Predators lost Colin Wilson in the second period as he was hit and fell awkwardly into the end boards. He went in hard and hit his head and shoulder. He was taken to the locker room and did not return. The extent of his injury is not known at this time.

Karma is a Bitch

Public enemy number 1, Lyin' Ryan Suter, assisted on the Wild's only goal in regulation. His shot from the blue line on the power play was tipped by his partner in bromance, Zach Parise, to give the Wild the first score of the game. Later, Suter was called for roughing and David Legwand scored with Suter in the box.

Poetic justice.

Bobby Butler also had his own encounter with karma. In his first game with the Predators, Butler forced the Oilers into taking three penalties and the Predators scored on two of their power play opportunities. Tonight, it was Butler in the box  for hooking that led to the score for the Wild.

Ouch.

No Video Tribute for You

Players that have been on the Predators roster that return for the first time typically get a tribute video. The Predators game ops had one cued up for Suter. Kudos to them for their good judgment in not playing it. The sellout crowd booed Suter lustily every time he was on the ice, and a tribute video would not have been well received.

At Least They are Shooting

Every forward except Bobby Butler, Nick Spaling, and Colin Wilson (in limited time) recorded at least one shot on net. This is a marked improvement from previous games. Now all we have to do is...

Gotta Finish

The Wild do a good job of playing their system and limiting chances. Tonight was no different. Yet the Predators out shot the Wild 24-23 in regulation and had some good chances. Backstrom was strong and many of the shots were from the perimeter. Backstrom did give up rebounds, but the Wild did a good job of cleaning up those opportunities. The Predators have to get more traffic to the net and get a scorers touch from some of their forwards. Fighting for rebounds and getting secondary scoring chances would have gone a long way to changing the outcome.

Someone Give Him a Hug

Lyin' Ryan Suter said after the game his feelings were hurt by the reception he received from the Predator faithful. Probably should have thought about that one, Ryan, before you lied about your intentions and screwed over the franchise last year. Sorry, but we don't take too kindly to people that don't keep their word.

Oh yeah, get used to it.

Final Thoughts

The Predators are now 10-9-6 with 26 points and although they are tied with 8th place Los Angeles, they have played two more games and currently sit in 11th place in the West.

The Predators are going to have to improve their effort and start getting wins. The remaining 23 games of the regular season are going to amount to an extended Stanley Cup playoff, and it is imperative that the Predators start getting as many points as possible.

That means they are going to have to continue to shoot the puck and get traffic to the net. Key injuries are starting to affect the team, and all that means is that others on the roster are going to have to step up.

No passengers, boys.

My three stars:

1. Niklas Backstrom

2. Matt Cullen

3. Pekka Rinne

Predators Fall to the Wild in OT 2-1

 The Nashville Predators dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. The Predators were down a man in the extra period on an absolutely horrible call against Paul Gaustad. The officials deemed that Gaustad closed his hand on the puck in a defensive zone face off, thus sending him to the box. Replays clearly showed that when the puck bounced off the ice, it hit the back of his glove and Gaustad had both hands on the stick.

So be it. Horrible calls are part of the game, but the Predators certainly hated to lose the game in this manner.

Gaustad staked the Predators to a 1-0 lead by crashing the net and tipping home a Craig Smith shot off the rebound from Niklas Backstrom in the first period.

The Wild tied the game in the second period as a Ryan Suter shot from the the point was deflected by Cal Clutterbuck and through the five hole of Nashville netminder Chris Mason.

In the OT and with the man advantage, Devin Setogochi ripped a shot past Mason for the game winner.

I missed about half the game as I was at my son's hockey game, but here are some observations from what I did see:

• The Predators have a solid back up in Chris Mason. He made some great saves and kept the Predators in the game with his play. The Wild out shot the Predators 32-26, not a wide margin, but Mace had to make some quality saves to keep the Wild off the board. With the compressed schedule and 9 back to backs, having a quality backup like Mason will benefit the Predators.

• The ineffectiveness of the Predators power play was a contributing factor in this loss. The Predators had a 4 minute power play in the the third and could not get a puck past Backstrom. The power play is plagued by little movement and no one in front of the net. Surely Patric Hornqvist is not the only Predator that can establish a presence in front of the net.

•  The Predators win games with their aggressive forecheck. When that aspect of their game is not working optimally, the Predators struggle. There were stretches where the forecheck broke down and the team struggled. The Predators have to have a commitment to an aggressive and effective forecheck for 60 minutes.

• The Predators most dynamic forwards the past few games- Colin Wilson and Gabriel Bourque- did not register a shot on goal in this contest. These guys are some of the most offensively minded forwards on the Predators roster and they have to commit to get shots on net and create in the offensive zone.

• David Legwand continues to frustrate me. For the life of me, I cannot understand how a second line center cannot register a shot on net or create offense. I know his supporters will laud his defensive efforts, but for $5 million a year, I expect some offensive production.

 The Predators didn't have their best game, but they were in it until getting hosed by the officials. Every team has to deal with that kind of adversity. The real test of character will be bouncing back from this loss.

The Preds will get a chance to get back on the horse quickly, as the powerful Blackhawks come to town tomorrow night.

Be prepared to bring it boys.

My three stars:

1. Devin Setoguchi

2. Chris Mason

3. Niklas Backstrom

Predators Pick Up First Regulation Win, Defeat the Wild 3-1

The Nashville Predators ventured out on the road for the first time in this young season, traveling to the XCel Energy Center to take on the Minnesota Wild and former teammate Ryan Suter. While many have focused on the story line of the Predators facing their former co-anchor on the blue line, the real story for the Predators was attempting to elevate their game to the level to which they are accustomed.

For the Predators, Chris Mason was in net and Niklas Backstrom was in net for the Wild.

The Wild opened the scoring at 6:02 of the first period as Dany Heatley skated just inside the Predators blue line and lofted a shot toward the net. The puck appeared to glance off Kevin Klein and re-directed past Mason, who had no chance on the shot.

Once again, the Predators were at a decided territorial disadvantage for most of the first period, being out shot 9-2 through the first 16 minutes.

That would change at 16:31 of the first period as the Predators gained the zone and controlled the puck. Kevin Klein let a shot go from the blue line, and Backstrom was able to block the shot coming through traffic, but Nick Spaling pounced on the rebound and slapped it past the sprawling netminder to tie the game at 1.

The first period ended tied at 1. The Wild out shot the Predators 12-5.

For the Predators, their struggles to clear the zone and establish offensive zone presence continues to be a problem. However, they were able to capitalize on some puck possession time to tie the game, and it was good to see Spaling get on the score sheet. The Predators have to have production from their third and fourth lines.

The Predators also welcomed back Gabriel Bourque, and he was dynamic. He had a break away chance that was stopped by Backstrom, but was on the ice and kept the puck alive for the Predators goal.

The second period would open with 4 on 4 hockey as Patric Hornqvist for the Predators and Mikko Koivu picked up coincidental minors for roughing at the end of the first period.

The Predators opened the second period with better jump and created some chances with traffic to the net. They had a chance to take advantage of a Minnesota penalty with their first power play of the game, but quickly short circuited that effort as Shea Weber was called for interference just 20 seconds into the man advantage.

The Predators had a much better effort throughout the second period. The Predators got their legs and skated much better, and this was reflected in the shots on goal as the Predators out shot the Wild 10-7. While the Predators created some scoring chances, the Wild did as well, and both netminders came up with some good saves to keep the game tied.

The second period ended with the Predators killing off a Brandon Yip roughing penalty, and the Wild would open the third period with a fresh sheet of ice and 1:17 of man advantage time.

The Predators opened the third period by killing off the Yip penalty, but the Wild used the man advantage to quickly re-establish their offensive zone presence, and the Predators were once again having difficulty establishing their offense.

Although the Wild had stretches of the game in the third period where they were clearly skating better and stronger on the puck, the Predators kept pushing and their effort was rewarded as the puck was chipped out of the defensive zone and into open ice. Marty Erat was in pursuit but Backstrom came out of the net and beat Erat to the puck. His clearing attempt from between the face off circles hit Erat in the chest, and he was able to get control of the puck and stuff it into the open net to give the Predators a 2-1 lead at 11:45.

An improbable goal?

Absolutely!

But a goal from effort and hustle, a goal that came from not wilting under the pressure the Wild were putting on the Predators.

The Predators continued to withstand the pressure from the Wild and thwarted their scoring chances. Chris Mason came up with some big saves to keep the Wild off the board.

With Backstrom pulled for the extra attacker, the Wild were pressuring the Predators when they were called for slashing with 23 seconds remaining. On the ensuing power play, the Predators capitalized as David Legwand took a nice pass from Nick Spaling and buried the one timer to give the Predators a 3-1 lead and their first regulation win of the season.

This was a character win as the Predators withstood the pressure the Wild brought throughout the game and persevered in a hostile environment.

As the game wore on, the Predators begin to assert themselves. After a slow first period in which the Preds were out shot 12-5, the Predators out shot the Wild 21-18 over the final two periods. This is the type of win that the team can use to build their confidence and their belief in their system and each other.

They will need it in this short season.

My three stars:

1. Chris Mason

2. Nick Spaling

3. Marty Erat

Predators Outlast the Wild in a SO

The Nashville Predators faced the Minnesota Wild at the Bridgestone Arena in a game that had great significance for the Predators. With a win, they could move into 4th place, one point ahead of Detroit and 2 points ahead of Chicago.

The Predators accomplished their mission by defeating the Wild in a shootout for a 2-1 win.

It wasn't pretty, but fortunately, they do not give style points for a win.

Anders Lindback got the start for the Predators, giving Pekka Rinne a night off. Niklas Backstrom got the start for the Wild.

The first period was scoreless, with Minnesota holding a 12-10 shot advantage. Both teams struggled at times trying to establish some offensive flow. The effort by both teams was not helped by a bouncing puck on ice that was less than ideal.

Troubling for the Predators was the three penalties that they took in the first period. The Predators PK was stellar, and Lindback made some good saves. For the Predators, this spate of penalties does not bode well, and they are going to have to play with more discipline.

In the second period, the Predators got on the board first as Gabriel Bourque tallied his 7th goal of the season off a nice pass from Nick Spaling at 12:31. The line of Spaling, Bourque, and Patric Hornqvist was the best line for the Predators tonight, playing with lots of jump and creating some chances. Bourque continues his strong play, with 7 points (4G-3A) in his last 9 games.

The Wild tied the game at 17:53 of the second as Nate Prosser fired a puck toward the net. Dany Heatley got his stick on the shot and re-directed the puck past Lindback.

The third period was scoreless, but the Predators resumed their march to the penalty box, taking three penalties in the period. The last came from Andrei Kostitsyn at 19:48. Heading into OT, the Wild would have a 4 on 3 advantage.

The Predators PK once again came up with a big kill in OT to preserve the tie. Neither team could find the net, with the Wild mustering only 2 shots on net. The Predators were even more anemic in the OT, with only 1 shot.

In the shootout, Lindback stopped Erik Christensen and Backstrom stopped Marty Erat in the first round.

In the second round, Lindback stoned Mikko Koivu, while Alexander Radulov beat Backstrom with a forehand.

With the game on the line, Lindback stopped Devin Setoguchi, and the Predators had captured the precious second point.

For Lindback, this was his first shootout of his career, and he came up big in a pressure situation.

This win was obviously important, and it was good to get the victory and the points. For the Predators, there is still fine tuning that is needed in their game. This team appears to need to get their lines in sync and rolling as they head to the playoffs.

The top line of Mike Fisher, Sergei Kostitsyn, and Marty Erat were held to 3 shots on goal and never threatened Backstrom. The second line of Radulov, Andrei Kostitsyn, and David Legwand were not much better, mustering 4 shots on goal. Legwand  had 3 and Radulov 1. For the Predators, these top two lines need to get rolling heading into the playoffs.

Yes, the Wild play a trap that can smother their opponents offensive efforts, but these players are the ones that the Predators count on to generate chances. In the next two games, these lines have to develop a nose for the net and create some chances. Tonight, they were not doing that.

Kudos to the Predators PK. The undisciplined play of the Predators could have hurt against a dangerous team like the Wild. The PK unit managed to kill off all 6 penalties, but paramount for the Predators is to limit the march to the box that they have done in their last 2 games.

I have to also single out Lindback for his play tonight. He did and excellent job of being positionally sound and controlling rebounds. He was solid in net tonight, and it is a plus for the Predators having his play elevate in these critical games.

With the win, the Predators go to 100 points. They control their destiny with 2 regular season games remaining. Win and potentially secure home ice.

The task starts Thursday against the Stars.

My three stars:

1. Anders Lindback

2. Gabriel Bourque

3. Dany Heatley

Wild Tamed by the Predators 4-0

With 15 games remaining in the regular season, you hate to think that this game against Minnesota was a must win for the Predators, but with their play of late, this game was definitely one the Predators had to have. The Predators played with this game with a sense of urgency, dispatching the Wild 4-0 at the Bridgestone Arena.

Coming into this contest, the Predators had gone 3-5-2 in their last 10 games, and needed to right the ship and get the long home stand off on a right start. They did just that, as Joel Ward tallied at 3:13 of the first, taking a nice pass from David Legwand from behind the net and snapping the puck over the glove of Minnesota netminder Niklas Backstrom.Ward had a strong game and continued his strong play of late with his second goal in as many games.

The Predators continued to dominate the Wild in the first period, controlling play and giving the Wild no offensive chances. The Wild recorded only five shots in the first period.

The defensive effort by the Predators led to more offensive chances, and the Predators capitalized on those opportunities. Nick Spaling was the beneficiary of a great effort by Jerred Smithson, who backhanded the puck to Spaling while being knocked to the ice. Spaling gathered in the puck at the side of the net and beat Backstom at 4:01 to stretch the advantage to 2-0 for the Predators.

The lead would grow to 3-0 at 12:32 of the first as Marty Erat would backhand a puck over a sprawling Backstom. Erat took a pass from Joel Ward and buried the shot for his 12th goal of the season.

3-0 at the end of one period and the Wild held to only 5 shots, one wondered if the old Predators would come out for the second period. You know, the team that has had a good period of hockey and would sit back and let the other team climb back into the game.

Not tonight.

As good as the Predators defensive effort was in the first period- holding the Wild to 5 shots- it was even better in the second. In that period, the Predators held the Wild to just 4 shots. Although the Predators didn't tally a marker in the second, there was no way the Wild were going to score with this type of defensive effort. The Predators did an excellent job of slowing the Wild in the neutral zone and forced  them wide in the defensive zone. Their defensive zone presence was as good as it has been all season and never allowed the Wild to establish any offensive rhythm in the second.

This was as good a two periods of hockey as the Predators have played since the All Star break.

In the third period, the Wild outshot the Predators 10-7, but Pekka Rinne was solid in net and cleaned up any scoring chances the Wild might have had.

Nick Spaling would ice the win with his second goal of the night at 14:59 and he corralled the puck in the low slot and slid the puck past Backstrom for his 7th goal of the year.

Indicative of the Predators defensive effort was the job done on Predators killer Martin Havlat, who has scored more goals against the Predators than any other player, with 35. Havlat finished with just 2 shots on goal, both coming in the third period.

Of a concern for the Predators is the condition of Mike Fisher, who missed most of the third period. According to Head Coach Barry Trotz in his post game remarks, Fisher is "fine", but Predator fans know this can mean anything. Hopefully he is back on the ice for Saturday night's contest against the Avalanche.

There are now 14 games left in the regular season. Reasonably, the Predators are going to have to win 9 of those games to assure themselves of a playoff spot.

Play with this same sense of urgency and discipline and you will tame the upcoming opponents and be well positioned to secure a playoff spot.

My three stars:

1. Nick Spaling

2. Joel Ward

3. Pekka Rinne

Losing Streak Over, Predators Tame the Wild 4-1

With every loss, the burden of the Predators five game losing streak weighed heavier. Despite playing with good jump and effort, the Preds just could not break through to the win column. Attempting to break the streak at the Xcel Energy Center against the Wild did not bode well for the Predators. Earlier this season, the Wild had embarrassed the Predators in this same venue by a score of 5-2.

The tables would turn in the re-match between these two teams as the Predators stifled the Wild offense and found the net four times to notch a 4-1 win.

The Predators opened the game with good offensive zone pressure, and it paid early dividends. Minnesota was called for a delayed penalty and the Predators got the extra attacker on the ice. Shane O'Brien did a great job at the blue line to keep the puck in the zone. He made a pass back to Cody Franson at the blue line, and he let a quick wrist shot go to the net. With lots of traffic in front, Wild netminder Niklas Backstrom did not see the shot and Franson found the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season, coming at 4:32 of the first period.

The Predators would extend their lead to 2-0 at 10:28 of the second period as Shea Weber let a shot go from the point. Patric Hornqvist was in front of the net but was shielded by a defender. Hornqvist reached around the Wild player and deflected the puck five hole on Backstrom.

The Wild did have some chances in the first two periods as Martin Havlat hit a post, and the wild had moments of offensive zone pressure. Pekka Rinne was outstanding, shutting down any of the Wild scoring chances. The real story of the game was the Predators defense, however, as they thwarted the Wild's attempts to come through the neutral zone with speed. In the defensive zone, the Predators did a good job of clearing the front of the net and limiting second chance scoring opportunities.

 I do not have the final stats for zone time, but one of the impressive aspects of this game by the Predators was the offensive zone time they had in this game. They spent a lot of time in the Minnesota zone, forcing the Wild to expend energy playing defense rather than getting their offense in rhythm.

Minnesota would finally solve Pekka Rinne at 18:06 of the third period as Chuck Kobesew would deflect a shot from Martin Havlat .

Minnesota pulled Backstrom and the pressure was coming on the Nashville defense. The Predators thwarted the Wild offensive effort with two empty net goals, the first by Joel Ward at 18:53 and then Sergei Kostitsyn at 19:53.

Losing streak over. The weight off the slumping shoulders of the Predators. And a collective sigh of relief.

During this streak, the Predators have battled numerous injuries. One of those injured, David Legwand, made his way back to the ice tonight and logged 15:50 and recorded two assists.

The Predators welcomed newcomer Marek Svatos to the lineup, and although he did not score, I like his game. Svatos drives hard to the net, and more importantly, is not afraid to shoot the puck. He is not completely in NHL game shape, but did log 9:59 in ice time and recorded three shots on net.

While this losing streak has been painful to endure, the team is still in the thick of the playoff hunt in the ultra competitive Western Conference. Now it is time to get a win streak going and make up some ground.

This is a great way to end the year. Obviously the points are important, but as much as anything, it allows the players to relax and relieves them of the negative energy associated with the streak.

A new year, a new beginning, and a renewed sense of energy await for 2011.

My three stars:

1. Cody Franson

2. Pekka Rinne

3. Patric Hornqvist

Washington Ekes Out a 3-2 OT Win over the Predators

The Washington Capitals defeated the Nashville Predators 3-2 in overtime in a game that had some brutal officiating to go along with end to end action. The Predators lead 2-0 going into the third period and gave up two goals in that stanza to take the game to overtime. Brooks Laich redirected an Alexander Ovechkin shot past Nashville netminder Anders Lindback for the game winner at 1:44 of overtime.

The Predators opened the first period with lots of energy and outshot the Caps 18-7. Their effort was rewarded at 17:07 of the period as J.P. Dumont beat Caps goalie Michal Neuvirth high to the stick side with a shot from just inside the face off circle.

The Predators were able to roll four lines in the first and put great forechecking pressure on the Caps throughout the period. That pressure limited the Caps offensive opportunities and gave the Predators good offensive presence.

That pace continued into the second period when the Predators would stretch the lead to 2-0 on a great rush by Jordin Tootoo and Joel Ward. Tootoo drove the wing and Ward drove to the net. Tootoo fired a rocket at the net that deflected off Caps defenseman Brian Fahey's skate and through the five hole of Neuvirth. Ward's strong drive to the net occupied Fahey, who never saw the shot from Tootoo. Neuvirth did not have a chance on the carom off Fahey's skate, and the Predators had the momentum and control of the game.

That momentum would begin to dissipate late in the second period when Nicklas Backstrom would brutally board Marcel Goc. Goc was injured on the play and would not return to the game. Although there is no official word on the injury, it did not look good as Goc appeared to injure his shoulder. In my opinion, Backstrom should have been given a major on the play and a game misconduct. As it was, he only got two minutes.

This forced the Predators to juggle lines and effectively go to three forward lines rather than four. The effect of this was seen late in the third period and into the overtime as fatigue appeared to become a factor for the Predators. Their forechecking game, some effective in the first half of the game, became less of a factor as the game went on. This would have a major impact in the outcome of the contest.

The Predators would take a 2-0 lead into the third period, but were unable to hold that lead in the face of the unrelenting pressure from the Capitals.Alexander Semin scored a power play goal at the the 4:33 mark with Cody Franson in the box for holding the stick. Tomas Fleischman would tie the game with an even strength goal at 12:14. Neither team could score in the remaining time and the contest was heading to overtime.

In the overtime period, Ryan Suter was hit with what can only be charitably called a weak call for tripping Alexander Ovechkin. Replays indicated that Suter had tipped the puck away from Ovechkin first, but when Ovie flopped to the ice, the refs arm went up. Brooks Laich scored on the power play as he tipped a shot from Ovechkin past Anders Lindback for the game winner. Nicklas Backstrom, who, in my view, should not have been in the game also assisted on the game winner.

Four games in, the Predators are 3-0-1 and have garnered 7 out of a possible 8 points. That is the good news. The bad news is that the injuries are starting to mount. Injuries are a fact of life in hockey, so the Predators are going to have to muster up the drive and the strength to overcome them.

I spoke to Pekka Rinne before the game. He said he was fine and will be back in net on Tuesday against Calgary. Marty Erat is close to returning. It is unknown the extent of the injury to Goc, who has been playing very well, and how long he will be out of the lineup. He will be evaluated tomorrow.

The Predators have to be pleased with the play of Anders Lindback, who has filled in capably while  Rinne has been out of the lineup.

The Predators showed that they can play with one of the best teams in hockey, and realistically should have won this game in regulation. There are nights you have to overcome your opponent and the officiating. So be it.

Time to bounce back and start a new streak. It starts on Tuesday.

My three stars:

1. Brooks Laich

2. Jordin Tootoo

3. J.P. Dumont