We continue our look at the Predators as we move to the blue liners. The defense this season took on a new look with the departure of Ryan Suter and the addition of several young players that logged some big minutes.
Just as this season was a work in progress, so next season should see some changes and some opportunities for additional playing time for some younger players.
As we look at the defense, the discussion starts with...
Shea Weber 48 GP 9G 19A 28 points -2
Weber averaged 25:55 time on ice and played against the opponents top offensive line all season. Paired with a new defense partner in Roman Josi, his production started slowly but picked up late in the season. His 28 points would translate to 48 points over the course of a full season. Weber was solid in all phases of the game, but his power play production suffered as Josi took some time to settle in as his partner on the man advantage and teams worked to take away his booming shot from the point.
Weber's leadership is not often in the public eye, but he is a solid captain and the unequivocal leader of this team. His drive and consistent play helped to steady a team that at times was unsteady.
Because of the turnover and youth on the blue line, Weber played significant minutes but showed no signs of fatigue physically or mentally. His ability to shut down top forwards makes him one of the best defensemen in the League.
Considering the adjustment to a new partner on the blue line and the youth of the team, I believe this was actually one of the stronger seasons that Weber has produced.
Final Grade: A
Roman Josi 48 GP 5G 13A 18 points -7
The big question for the Predators was who would play alongside Weber after the departure of Ryan Suter. That question was quickly answered by the play of Josi. He proved to be very steady, calm, and a deft puck handler. Josi rarely seemed to get rattled and was good with the first pass on the breakout. Josi showed the ability to handle the puck well and was not afraid to get involved in the offensive attack. He has a deceptively good shot, which he needs to use more.
Josi is not the physical player that will deliver a crushing check, but in general he was positionally sound. He occasionally got beaten by more experienced forwards, as his +/- rating attests, but he logged some big minutes alongside Weber against top forwards.
Josi will continue to improve his game and the experience of this season will serve him well. He needs to get stronger, but at 22 years of age, that will come.
Final Grade: B+
Kevin Klein 47 GP 3G 11A 14 points -1
Klein had a quietly solid season, and did a good job of helping Victor Bartley settle in on the blue line. Klein is not a flashy player, but he is consistently in good position and sound in the defensive zone. Klein averaged just over 20 minutes a game in time on ice in the second D pairing.
Klein did an excellent job of steadying the second pairing, especially when Bartley joined the line up. Klein helped his young defensive partner adjust to NHL play and they formed a quality duo that could play some important minutes.
Klein will not put up big offensive numbers, but can score some timely goals and contribute with the distribution of the puck. His game, however, is to play sound defense and solidify the second pairing. He has done that well.
Final Grade: A-
Hal Gill 32 GP 0G 0A 0 points -3
Injuries plagued Gill this season, causing him to miss 16 games. In the twilight of his career, Gill is not going to be counted on to produce points. What he brings to the team is his leadership, the ability to play some quality third line minutes, and his prowess on the penalty kill. Gill excels in the PK, and the Predators relied heavily on the big defenseman to play some big minutes on this special team. When he was healthy, he responded well in this role.
Gill is still adept at using his physical stature at keeping the front of the net clear at even strength or on the PK. Gill will never be an exceptional puck handler or goal scorer, but his ability to provide solid third line minutes were much need by the Predators.
Gill was often paired with different partners on the blue line, and this affected chemistry. It is a compliment to his ability that he could adjust to changing partners several times throughout the course of the season.
His durability and health remain a question, and his minutes will be limited because of these factors.
Final Grade: C+
Victor Bartley 24 GP 0G 7A 7 points +2
Bartley was called up mid-season from Milwaukee and surprised pleasantly. Paired with Kevin Klein for most of the season, Bartley showed good defensive zone presence and positioning. He has good size and used that physical presence to establish position and police the front of the net effectively.
At 25, Bartley is older than some of the more heralded defensemen in the system, and this seemed to make Bartley more determined to stick on the roster. Rarely did he fail to bring a solid effort every game, and as he settled in, he saw more ice time as the coaches grew more confident in his game.
Like any young player, Bartley was victimized by more experienced forwards and guilty of some rookie mistakes. Those mistakes were that- rookie mistakes. There would be more concern if those mistakes were from a lack of effort.
I see Bartley on the roster next season and more upside to his game.
Final Grade: B
Jonathan Blum 35 GP 1G 7A 8 points -1
The end of last season saw Blum at a critical juncture in his career. His mandate from the coaches was to get stronger and commit to improving his game. This season, there were flashes of that off season work. Blum had third line minutes with Hal Gill and there was a short lived experiment of a pairing with Ryan Ellis. Thankfully, it was a brief experiment.
Blum still finds himself at a crossroad. As an undersized D-man, he is not going to see top line minutes. He has to be excellent at making good decisions with the puck, contribute offensively, and not be a defensive liability. Frankly, the jury is still out on those attributes. Flashes of potential have been shown, but Blum has to be more consistent in his total game.
Final Grade: C-
Ryan Ellis 32 GP 2G 4A 6 points -2
Another undersized defenseman, Ellis was tabbed to be an offensive defenseman that could quarterback the power play, contribute points from the blue line, and use his smarts to be a solid defender.
There is no doubt that Ellis has offensive skills and talent. The problem is that there are limited circumstances where those offensive talents can shine. The grind of being an NHL defenseman may be too much for Ellis. As much as the coaching staff tried to protect Ellis by matching him against the opponents third or fourth lines, Ellis was still at times (most of the time) overmatched physically. The Predators cannot afford to reserve a roster spot for a power play specialist and a limited minute blue liner.
Although Ellis saw a lot of action this season, I will be surprised if he sticks on the roster next year.
Final Grade: D
Mattias Ekholm 1 GP 0G 0A 0 points -1
Although Ekholm appeared in only one game, he finally made the move to North America and spent the season in Milwaukee. Ekholm has the talent and the size to be a quality NHL defenseman. The question is does he have the drive and mental edge to make it in the NHL? Ekholm's placid demeanor gives no indication of his drive or desire, and frankly, his brief appearances this season and last in Nashville give no clue.
If Ekholm can get that edge and show that he belongs on the roster, the Predators will benefit.
Final Grade: Incomplete
Up next, grading the forwards. It won't be pretty.
Showing posts with label hal Gill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hal Gill. Show all posts
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
A Look at the Predators: Playoff Contenders or Pretenders
The Nashville Predators are currently 11-11-6 and sit outside the playoffs with 28 points. They have limped through their last 10 games, going 3-6-1, and more troubling, are last in the NHL in scoring.
Predator faithful are questioning if this is a playoff team.
It is a legitimate question.
There is no simple answer to that question, but we can bring some clarity by examining the various components of this team.
So let's take a look at this version of the Predators.
Goaltending
Pekka Rinne has been the workhorse for the Predators, starting 25 of the 28 games the Predators have played. Rinne has a 2.20 GAA and a save percentage of .916. He has faced 632 shots, an average of 25 shots per game. Rinne leads the NHL with 5 shutouts. Last season, Rinne had a 2.39 GAA and a .923 save percentage.
Looking at Rinne's numbers, one would conclude they are not bad. A marginal drop off in save percentage, but an improvement in GAA.
Rinne has been pulled in two consecutive games, and in seven in total this season.
There have been times that Rinne has been mortal, but for the most, his play has been solid. What has plagued Rinne has been the defense in front of him on occasion (more on that in a moment), as there have been numerous times that he has been hung out to dry by the skaters in front of him. And at times, his frustration has boiled over. Witness his slamming of the stick on the post in the first Dallas game as Scott Hannan was beaten badly by a Stars forward in the slot, leaving Rinne no chance to make the save.
One has to wonder how Rinne's frustration level is at this point of the season.
With the Predators anemic offense, both Rinne and Chris Mason have to be nearly perfect for the Predators to have a chance to win each night.
Chris Mason has appeared in 7 games, having started 3. He has a pedestrian 3.10 GAA and an .881 save percentage.
When Mason was signed, it was hoped that he would provide quality goaltending in the backup role. At best, he has been average.
Compared to last season, goaltending is comparable.
Defense
The obvious challenge for the Predators was to replace Ryan Suter. Roman Josi has been that player that has manned the other side of the blue line with Shea Weber. Josi is not Ryan Suter- yet. But the fall off between Josi and Suter has not been as dramatic as many feared. Josi has a great shot, skates well, and is poised and calm with the puck. Through 28 games, Josi is a plus 3 and has 3 goals and 6 assists. Extrapolate that to an 82 game season and you get 9 goals, 18 assists, and a plus 9. In Suter's last season, he had 7 goals, 39 assists, and was a plus 15.
I think those numbers for Josi will only improve.
In 2012, Shea Weber had 19 goals, 30 assists, and was a plus 21. So far in 2013, Weber has 4 goals, 11 assists, and is a plus 4. Over an 82 game season, this would translate to 12 goals, 32 assists, and a plus 12. The decline is understandable as Weber is getting used to a new defense partner and is being denied his cannon shot on the power play.
Kevin Klein has been quietly solid, with 1 goal, 5 assists, and a plus one. Klein is steady and is rarely noticed, which is a good thing as it means he is efficiently doing his job.
Once you get past these three, it gets interesting on the Predators blue line.
Hal Gill, who was expected to eat up big minutes, has been injured for a large portion of the season.
Ryan Ellis is...an adventure. Offensively gifted, he is proving to be a defensive liability. The coaches do a good job of trying to keep him away from the top forwards of the other teams, but Ellis is still a minus 4. While Ellis can provide some offense, he is regularly out muscled by bigger forwards, thus relegating him to more of a specialists role.
Jonathan Blum has gotten stronger, but is still on the smallish side, which is an obvious disadvantage against bigger forwards. Blum has five points (1G-4A) in 15 games, but has been relegated to a perma scratch over the last five games.
The reason for that is the emergence of Victor Bartley. Bartley was called up from Milwaukee and has been in the lineup for the past 5 games. Bartley has no points and is a plus 1, but he has good size, skates well, and makes good decisions with the puck. I don't see Bartley coming out of the lineup the way he is playing.
The blueliner that is having an absolutely miserable season is Scott Hannan. Hannan started well, playing some quality minutes and was generally solid. It seems as if Hannan has now run out of gas. He is a team worst minus 11 and is struggling with defensive coverage. He is routinely beaten in the defensive zone, and has quickly turned into a liability.
With the absence of Hal Gill, the defense has struggled once you get past Josi, Weber, and Klein. I think Bartley will settle in and be a positive contributor, but there is a huge hole in the third pairing, typically Hannan and Ellis. The play of that third pairing continues to trouble the Predators and does not look to improve any time soon.
The defense is weaker than last season.
Forwards
Being last in the NHL in scoring is indicative of how this group has struggled.
And struggle they have.
At times, some of our top forwards have been invisible. And for a team that desperately needs offense, this is unacceptable.
And beyond explanation.
Here are some numbers:
Marty Erat 2012: 71 GP 19G-39A 58 points 2013 27 GP 3G-10A 13 points (9G-30A in 82)
Sergei Kostitsyn 2012: 75 GP 17G-26A 43 points 2013 27 GP 2G- 9A 11 points (6G-27A in 82)
David Legwand 2012: 78 GP 19G-34A 53 points 2013 28 GP 6G- 7A 13 points (18G-20A in 82)
Mike Fisher 2012: 72 GP 24G-27A 51 points 2013 28 GP 6G-6A 12 points (18G-18A in 82)
Colin Wilson 2012: 68 GP 15G-20A 35 points 2013 25 GP 7G-12A 19 points (23G-39A in 82)
Gabriel Bourque 2012: 43 GP 7G-12A 19 points 2013 26 GP 9G- 2A 11 points (28G- 6A in 82)
I have taken the production of these forwards for the games played in 2013 and projected it to an 82 game season and compared it to the previous season. What you notice is significant drops in production from Erat, Kostitsyn, and Fisher. Legwand projects to be about the same in goals but significantly drops in assists. For a second line center that has to set up his wingers, this will affect their production. Wilson has stepped up his game, but is currently injured. Bourque shows a significant increase in goal production. The Predators have had Patric Hornqvist in the lineup for only 14 games this season, and his production is sorely missed.
Additionally, The Predators enjoyed good secondary scoring from players like Matt Halischuk and Nick Spaling in 2012. Halischuk had 15 goals and 13 assists in 73 games last year. This season, he has struggled to stay on the roster and produce, having appeared in 19 games with 1 goal and 4 assists. Spaling appeared in 77 games last season with 10 goals and 12 assists. In 2013, Spals has appeared in 27 games and has 5 goals and 3 assists.
The slump in offensive production has plagued the Predators all season. Unless the production from the forwards improves significantly, the playoffs may not happen.
The forwards are substantially worse than last season.
Coaching
Barry Trotz continues as the coach that has been able to squeeze the most out of his talent, but this season, that talent has not produced. I like the way Trotz and the staff have coached this team, but if there is a criticism, it is sticking with non-producing players for too long. He scratched Kostitsyn in the last game, but is not quick to sit down other players that are not getting it done. Perhaps it is time to sit some of the other forwards that are not playing up to their talent level.
Coaching has remained steady from last season.
General Manager
David Poile has put this team together and these are his draft picks and trades. Is Poile "married" to these players- loath to trade some of them for other options because they are his players? I would submit that this is the case and that he is waiting, perhaps for too long, for some of these players to validate his decisions to sign them, and to sign some to long term, high dollar extensions.
Time for David Poile to make some tough decisions.
As you can see, the Predators are struggling because of the offense slump by key cogs on the team. If the play doesn't improve substantially, or if these players continue in the lineup, the Predator faithful may be looking wistfully at the the playoffs.
Predator faithful are questioning if this is a playoff team.
It is a legitimate question.
There is no simple answer to that question, but we can bring some clarity by examining the various components of this team.
So let's take a look at this version of the Predators.
Goaltending
Pekka Rinne has been the workhorse for the Predators, starting 25 of the 28 games the Predators have played. Rinne has a 2.20 GAA and a save percentage of .916. He has faced 632 shots, an average of 25 shots per game. Rinne leads the NHL with 5 shutouts. Last season, Rinne had a 2.39 GAA and a .923 save percentage.
Looking at Rinne's numbers, one would conclude they are not bad. A marginal drop off in save percentage, but an improvement in GAA.
Rinne has been pulled in two consecutive games, and in seven in total this season.
There have been times that Rinne has been mortal, but for the most, his play has been solid. What has plagued Rinne has been the defense in front of him on occasion (more on that in a moment), as there have been numerous times that he has been hung out to dry by the skaters in front of him. And at times, his frustration has boiled over. Witness his slamming of the stick on the post in the first Dallas game as Scott Hannan was beaten badly by a Stars forward in the slot, leaving Rinne no chance to make the save.
One has to wonder how Rinne's frustration level is at this point of the season.
With the Predators anemic offense, both Rinne and Chris Mason have to be nearly perfect for the Predators to have a chance to win each night.
Chris Mason has appeared in 7 games, having started 3. He has a pedestrian 3.10 GAA and an .881 save percentage.
When Mason was signed, it was hoped that he would provide quality goaltending in the backup role. At best, he has been average.
Compared to last season, goaltending is comparable.
Defense
The obvious challenge for the Predators was to replace Ryan Suter. Roman Josi has been that player that has manned the other side of the blue line with Shea Weber. Josi is not Ryan Suter- yet. But the fall off between Josi and Suter has not been as dramatic as many feared. Josi has a great shot, skates well, and is poised and calm with the puck. Through 28 games, Josi is a plus 3 and has 3 goals and 6 assists. Extrapolate that to an 82 game season and you get 9 goals, 18 assists, and a plus 9. In Suter's last season, he had 7 goals, 39 assists, and was a plus 15.
I think those numbers for Josi will only improve.
In 2012, Shea Weber had 19 goals, 30 assists, and was a plus 21. So far in 2013, Weber has 4 goals, 11 assists, and is a plus 4. Over an 82 game season, this would translate to 12 goals, 32 assists, and a plus 12. The decline is understandable as Weber is getting used to a new defense partner and is being denied his cannon shot on the power play.
Kevin Klein has been quietly solid, with 1 goal, 5 assists, and a plus one. Klein is steady and is rarely noticed, which is a good thing as it means he is efficiently doing his job.
Once you get past these three, it gets interesting on the Predators blue line.
Hal Gill, who was expected to eat up big minutes, has been injured for a large portion of the season.
Ryan Ellis is...an adventure. Offensively gifted, he is proving to be a defensive liability. The coaches do a good job of trying to keep him away from the top forwards of the other teams, but Ellis is still a minus 4. While Ellis can provide some offense, he is regularly out muscled by bigger forwards, thus relegating him to more of a specialists role.
Jonathan Blum has gotten stronger, but is still on the smallish side, which is an obvious disadvantage against bigger forwards. Blum has five points (1G-4A) in 15 games, but has been relegated to a perma scratch over the last five games.
The reason for that is the emergence of Victor Bartley. Bartley was called up from Milwaukee and has been in the lineup for the past 5 games. Bartley has no points and is a plus 1, but he has good size, skates well, and makes good decisions with the puck. I don't see Bartley coming out of the lineup the way he is playing.
The blueliner that is having an absolutely miserable season is Scott Hannan. Hannan started well, playing some quality minutes and was generally solid. It seems as if Hannan has now run out of gas. He is a team worst minus 11 and is struggling with defensive coverage. He is routinely beaten in the defensive zone, and has quickly turned into a liability.
With the absence of Hal Gill, the defense has struggled once you get past Josi, Weber, and Klein. I think Bartley will settle in and be a positive contributor, but there is a huge hole in the third pairing, typically Hannan and Ellis. The play of that third pairing continues to trouble the Predators and does not look to improve any time soon.
The defense is weaker than last season.
Forwards
Being last in the NHL in scoring is indicative of how this group has struggled.
And struggle they have.
At times, some of our top forwards have been invisible. And for a team that desperately needs offense, this is unacceptable.
And beyond explanation.
Here are some numbers:
Marty Erat 2012: 71 GP 19G-39A 58 points 2013 27 GP 3G-10A 13 points (9G-30A in 82)
Sergei Kostitsyn 2012: 75 GP 17G-26A 43 points 2013 27 GP 2G- 9A 11 points (6G-27A in 82)
David Legwand 2012: 78 GP 19G-34A 53 points 2013 28 GP 6G- 7A 13 points (18G-20A in 82)
Mike Fisher 2012: 72 GP 24G-27A 51 points 2013 28 GP 6G-6A 12 points (18G-18A in 82)
Colin Wilson 2012: 68 GP 15G-20A 35 points 2013 25 GP 7G-12A 19 points (23G-39A in 82)
Gabriel Bourque 2012: 43 GP 7G-12A 19 points 2013 26 GP 9G- 2A 11 points (28G- 6A in 82)
I have taken the production of these forwards for the games played in 2013 and projected it to an 82 game season and compared it to the previous season. What you notice is significant drops in production from Erat, Kostitsyn, and Fisher. Legwand projects to be about the same in goals but significantly drops in assists. For a second line center that has to set up his wingers, this will affect their production. Wilson has stepped up his game, but is currently injured. Bourque shows a significant increase in goal production. The Predators have had Patric Hornqvist in the lineup for only 14 games this season, and his production is sorely missed.
Additionally, The Predators enjoyed good secondary scoring from players like Matt Halischuk and Nick Spaling in 2012. Halischuk had 15 goals and 13 assists in 73 games last year. This season, he has struggled to stay on the roster and produce, having appeared in 19 games with 1 goal and 4 assists. Spaling appeared in 77 games last season with 10 goals and 12 assists. In 2013, Spals has appeared in 27 games and has 5 goals and 3 assists.
The slump in offensive production has plagued the Predators all season. Unless the production from the forwards improves significantly, the playoffs may not happen.
The forwards are substantially worse than last season.
Coaching
Barry Trotz continues as the coach that has been able to squeeze the most out of his talent, but this season, that talent has not produced. I like the way Trotz and the staff have coached this team, but if there is a criticism, it is sticking with non-producing players for too long. He scratched Kostitsyn in the last game, but is not quick to sit down other players that are not getting it done. Perhaps it is time to sit some of the other forwards that are not playing up to their talent level.
Coaching has remained steady from last season.
General Manager
David Poile has put this team together and these are his draft picks and trades. Is Poile "married" to these players- loath to trade some of them for other options because they are his players? I would submit that this is the case and that he is waiting, perhaps for too long, for some of these players to validate his decisions to sign them, and to sign some to long term, high dollar extensions.
Time for David Poile to make some tough decisions.
As you can see, the Predators are struggling because of the offense slump by key cogs on the team. If the play doesn't improve substantially, or if these players continue in the lineup, the Predator faithful may be looking wistfully at the the playoffs.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Predators Defeat the KIngs in a SO 2-1
The Nashville Predators have struggled to generate offense so far this young season. Their task is to get shots on net and quality scoring chances, to get back to playing Predator hockey. A game built on grit, speed, and effort.
That task was going to be made more difficult as they faced the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center.
The Predators had Pekka Rinne in net, while the Kings were going with Jonathan Quick.
The Predators got the start they wanted as just 58 seconds into the game David Legwand won a face off in the Kings zone and the puck came to Brandon Yip at the top of the face off circle. Yip loaded up the shot and beat Quick high glove side to give the Predators a 1-0 lead.
The Predators gave the Kings a golden opportunity to tie the game. Scott Hannan was called for interference at 11:10 of the period. One minute later, Paul Gaustad was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct for chirping the officials. The Kings had 1 minute of 5 on 3 power play time, which they immediately short circuited by taking a tripping penalty off the face off, resulting in a minute of 4 on 3 hockey and the Kings with the advantage.
The Kings made the Predators pay for their transgression just as Hannan's penalty was about to expire. Mike Richards shot the puck over the net and it rebounded right in front of the net. Hal Gill did not see the puck and Dustin Brown pounced on the loose puck at the top of the crease and hammered it past a defenseless Rinne to tie the game at 13:08 of the period.
The Predators continued to tempt fate as Hal Gill was called for cross checking, the fourth penalty that the Predators took in the period. The Predators were able to kill the penalty, but would open the second a man down for another 32 seconds. That is until Dustin Brown took a penalty at the 20 minute mark for interference.
The Predators skated better in this opening frame than they have in their past few games.The undisciplined play of the team gave the Kings the opportunity to out shoot the Predators 10-3 and disrupted any offensive flow the Predators tried to establish. The Predators were going to have to play a more disciplined game and stay out of the box to be successful. The potent Kings offense did not need help with the man advantage.
Scott Hannan continued to get familiar with the officials in the penalty box as he took his third penalty of the game for tripping at 3:05 of the second period. Fortunately, the Predators were able to kill off the penalty.
The second period was scoreless. The Predators power play was ineffective, and even though the shots were 5 apiece in the period, the Kings had the territorial advantage for much of the period. Through two periods, the Predators offense continued to struggle, mustering just 8 total shots on goal.
The same sad song.
If the Predators were going to have a chance, they were going to have to commit to getting the puck onnet and create some havoc in front of Quick. So far, they had failed to do that.
The third period started to open up with both teams moving the puck up and creating some chances. The Predators had a chance to take the lead with Quick caught out of position but the Predators unable to corral a bouncing puck at the side of the net. Rinne made a huge stop as the Kings converted a turnover and Jeff Carter got loose in front of the net.
The Kings pressed late in the third period, but the Predators were able to keep them off the board. Neither team could find the back of the net, so the game was going to overtime.
The Kings out shot the Predators 22-11, and the Predators failed to register a shot on goal over the final 10 minutes of the period.
It would be an understatement to say that the Predators stole a point in this game.
The Predators created some great scoring chances in the overtime period off their effort down low in the Kings zone. Ryan Ellis had a good scoring chance but could not bury it and Sergei Kostitsyn could not put home a rebound.
The Predators kept up the effort and the forecheck and showed their best offensive zone possession of the game, but could not get the puck in the net. So for the fourth time this season, the Predators were heading to the shootout.
In the first round, Pekka Rinne stopped Jeff Carter. David Legwand beat Quick to give the Predators a 1-0 lead.
In the second round, Mike Richards beat Rinne five hole. Craig Smith fired a shot that hit Quick's pads and bounced in the goal. to restore the Predators lead.
In the third round, Dustin Brown beat Rinne with a great fake. to tie the shootout. Marty Erat missed the net on his attempt.
The fourth round saw Drew Doughty miss the net. Colin Wilson had a chance to end the game, and was missed off the backhand.
The Kings had Jarrett Stoll shoot in the fifth round and Rinne was able to stop the shot with his left pad. Brandon Yip hit the side of the net.
Anze Kopitar gave the Kings the lead as he beat Rinne stick side. Gabriel Bourque had to score in the sixth round and he made a sweet move and beat Quick off his backhand just under the crossbar.
Rinne stopped Justin Williams as he got enough of the shot and it trickled wide. Roman Josi fired wide on his attempt.
In the eighth round, Simon Gagne was stopped by the pad of Rinne. Sergei Kostitsyn faked Quick to the ice and beat Quick to the far post for the win.
Although there were stretches where the Predators were outplayed by the Kings, this game was a different game for this team. They did not cave under pressure and played with some heart, qualities that had been lacking in some of their previous games.
This is the kind of effort that, while far from true Predator hockey, showed flashes of what this team can do.
It is time to build on that effort, boys.
My three stars:
1. Pekka Rinne
2. Brandon Yip
3. Sergei Kostitsyn
That task was going to be made more difficult as they faced the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center.
The Predators had Pekka Rinne in net, while the Kings were going with Jonathan Quick.
The Predators got the start they wanted as just 58 seconds into the game David Legwand won a face off in the Kings zone and the puck came to Brandon Yip at the top of the face off circle. Yip loaded up the shot and beat Quick high glove side to give the Predators a 1-0 lead.
The Predators gave the Kings a golden opportunity to tie the game. Scott Hannan was called for interference at 11:10 of the period. One minute later, Paul Gaustad was called for an unsportsmanlike conduct for chirping the officials. The Kings had 1 minute of 5 on 3 power play time, which they immediately short circuited by taking a tripping penalty off the face off, resulting in a minute of 4 on 3 hockey and the Kings with the advantage.
The Kings made the Predators pay for their transgression just as Hannan's penalty was about to expire. Mike Richards shot the puck over the net and it rebounded right in front of the net. Hal Gill did not see the puck and Dustin Brown pounced on the loose puck at the top of the crease and hammered it past a defenseless Rinne to tie the game at 13:08 of the period.
The Predators continued to tempt fate as Hal Gill was called for cross checking, the fourth penalty that the Predators took in the period. The Predators were able to kill the penalty, but would open the second a man down for another 32 seconds. That is until Dustin Brown took a penalty at the 20 minute mark for interference.
The Predators skated better in this opening frame than they have in their past few games.The undisciplined play of the team gave the Kings the opportunity to out shoot the Predators 10-3 and disrupted any offensive flow the Predators tried to establish. The Predators were going to have to play a more disciplined game and stay out of the box to be successful. The potent Kings offense did not need help with the man advantage.
Scott Hannan continued to get familiar with the officials in the penalty box as he took his third penalty of the game for tripping at 3:05 of the second period. Fortunately, the Predators were able to kill off the penalty.
The second period was scoreless. The Predators power play was ineffective, and even though the shots were 5 apiece in the period, the Kings had the territorial advantage for much of the period. Through two periods, the Predators offense continued to struggle, mustering just 8 total shots on goal.
The same sad song.
If the Predators were going to have a chance, they were going to have to commit to getting the puck onnet and create some havoc in front of Quick. So far, they had failed to do that.
The third period started to open up with both teams moving the puck up and creating some chances. The Predators had a chance to take the lead with Quick caught out of position but the Predators unable to corral a bouncing puck at the side of the net. Rinne made a huge stop as the Kings converted a turnover and Jeff Carter got loose in front of the net.
The Kings pressed late in the third period, but the Predators were able to keep them off the board. Neither team could find the back of the net, so the game was going to overtime.
The Kings out shot the Predators 22-11, and the Predators failed to register a shot on goal over the final 10 minutes of the period.
It would be an understatement to say that the Predators stole a point in this game.
The Predators created some great scoring chances in the overtime period off their effort down low in the Kings zone. Ryan Ellis had a good scoring chance but could not bury it and Sergei Kostitsyn could not put home a rebound.
The Predators kept up the effort and the forecheck and showed their best offensive zone possession of the game, but could not get the puck in the net. So for the fourth time this season, the Predators were heading to the shootout.
In the first round, Pekka Rinne stopped Jeff Carter. David Legwand beat Quick to give the Predators a 1-0 lead.
In the second round, Mike Richards beat Rinne five hole. Craig Smith fired a shot that hit Quick's pads and bounced in the goal. to restore the Predators lead.
In the third round, Dustin Brown beat Rinne with a great fake. to tie the shootout. Marty Erat missed the net on his attempt.
The fourth round saw Drew Doughty miss the net. Colin Wilson had a chance to end the game, and was missed off the backhand.
The Kings had Jarrett Stoll shoot in the fifth round and Rinne was able to stop the shot with his left pad. Brandon Yip hit the side of the net.
Anze Kopitar gave the Kings the lead as he beat Rinne stick side. Gabriel Bourque had to score in the sixth round and he made a sweet move and beat Quick off his backhand just under the crossbar.
Rinne stopped Justin Williams as he got enough of the shot and it trickled wide. Roman Josi fired wide on his attempt.
In the eighth round, Simon Gagne was stopped by the pad of Rinne. Sergei Kostitsyn faked Quick to the ice and beat Quick to the far post for the win.
Although there were stretches where the Predators were outplayed by the Kings, this game was a different game for this team. They did not cave under pressure and played with some heart, qualities that had been lacking in some of their previous games.
This is the kind of effort that, while far from true Predator hockey, showed flashes of what this team can do.
It is time to build on that effort, boys.
My three stars:
1. Pekka Rinne
2. Brandon Yip
3. Sergei Kostitsyn
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Predators Lock Up 4th Seed in the West, Bury the Avalanche 6-1
The Nashville Predators traveled to the Pepsi Center to take on the Colorado Avalanche in the last- and thankfully- anticlimactic- game of the regular season. Thanks to Detroit's shootout loss earlier in the day, the Predators entered the game knowing they had locked up the 4th seed in the Western Conference and home ice for the first round of the playoffs.
With that in mind, Head Coach Barry Trotz decided to rest some of his starters, giving the night off to Pekka Rinne, Mike Fisher, Marty Erat, Hal Gill, and Francis Bouillon.
Anders Lindback got the start in net, and the Avalanche went with J.S. Giguere.
Regardless of the fact they had clinched the 4th seed, the Predators still wanted to play a solid game and they knew the Avalanche, who had missed the playoffs, would want to give their home crowd something to cheer about in their last game of the season.
The Predators opened the scoring at 3:39 of the first period as Gabriel Bourque worked hard in the Avs zone on the boards and was able to control the puck in spite of the defensive pressure. He spun and found David Legwand in the slot, and Legwand's wrist shot beat Giguere to give the Predators a 1-0 lead.
The Avs tied the game at 8:09 of the first period as they swarmed the Predators net on a 3 on 2 rush. Lindback made 2 stops but Matt Duchene buried the third attempt, lifting the puck over a sprawled Lindback and under the crossbar.
The Predators had a glorious scoring chance with a 2 on 1 rush by Craig Smith and Matt Halischuk, but Smith's pass to Halsichuk was tipped away at the last second. Halsichuk did not give up on the play, and retrieved the puck in the corner and got it to Smith, who ripped a slap shot off Giguere and into the net for his 14th goal of the season. The score came at 12:10, and it is good to see the Honey Badger contributing when he is getting ice time.
The Predators stretched their lead to 3-1 when Kevin Klein took a shot from the blue line that deflected off the stick of Patric Hornqvist and past Giguere with just 1.2 seconds remaining on the clock in the first period.This was Hornqvist's 27th goal of the season.
Solid start?
Check.
The Avs out shot the Predators 14-12 in the first period, and Lindback had some big saves to thwart some good scoring chances by Colorado.
The second period saw the Avs take it to the Predators. They dominated play and fired numerous shots on the Predators net. Lindback had to make some big saves to keep the Avs from tallying a score that would have put them back in the game. The Avs dominance was such that they out shot the Predators 16-3 through the first 16 minutes of the second.
The Predators opportunistically struck at 16:09 of the second as Craig Smith found Roman Josi pinching in from his defensive position and fed a great pass to him at the side of the net. Josi made no mistake, finding the back of the net on just the Predators 4th shot of the period.
With 14 seconds to go in the period, Craig Smith saved a goal by hooking Matt Duchene, who was looking at a wide open net off a rebound given up by Lindback.
The second period ended with the Predators being out shot 17-9, and they would be on the penalty kill to begin the third. For the Predators, it was important to come out and play a solid 20 minutes of hockey and put this game in the books.
The Predators killed off the penalty to open the third period, and as the power play ended, Lindback kicked out a long rebound that sent Brandon Yip on a breakaway. Yip was stopped by Giguere, but the Predators kept control of the puck. Patric Hornqvist battled for the puck and got it back to Yip, who banked the puck off Giguere and into the net off the wrap around to make it 5-1 Predators at 1:57 of the third period.
How sweet this goal must have been for the Yipper.
Shortly thereafter, Lindback collided with both Jack Hillen and Ryan Ellis as well as Cody McLeod of the Avs and was injured on the play. Pekka Rinne had to come into the game as Lindback was taken back to the dressing room.
Matt Halischuk stole the puck and broke in on a 2 on 1 and rather that pass (!) picked the short side over the shoulder and buried the shot to give the Predators a 6-1 lead at 6:20 of the third period. For Halischuk, this was his 15th goal of the season.
The remainder of the period was spent playing some wide open shinny as both teams went up and down the ice, but neither could find the back of the net, and the 6-1 score was a final.
The Predators were out shot by a wide margin, 45-29, but the count that mattered was the goals scored.
For the Predators, this was a good tune up for the playoffs. More importantly, the young guys that were inserted into the line up played with jump and determination, a good sign that they have a lot of fight in them for those coveted- and limited- roster spots with the playoffs upcoming.
The Predators finish the regular season with a 48-26-8 record, good for 104 points and cleanly in 4th place in the West. Pekka Rinne had more wins than any other goaltender in the NHL.
Those accolades are great.
Now the real season starts.
My three stars:
1. Craig Smith
2. Anders Lindback
3. Roman Josi
With that in mind, Head Coach Barry Trotz decided to rest some of his starters, giving the night off to Pekka Rinne, Mike Fisher, Marty Erat, Hal Gill, and Francis Bouillon.
Anders Lindback got the start in net, and the Avalanche went with J.S. Giguere.
Regardless of the fact they had clinched the 4th seed, the Predators still wanted to play a solid game and they knew the Avalanche, who had missed the playoffs, would want to give their home crowd something to cheer about in their last game of the season.
The Predators opened the scoring at 3:39 of the first period as Gabriel Bourque worked hard in the Avs zone on the boards and was able to control the puck in spite of the defensive pressure. He spun and found David Legwand in the slot, and Legwand's wrist shot beat Giguere to give the Predators a 1-0 lead.
The Avs tied the game at 8:09 of the first period as they swarmed the Predators net on a 3 on 2 rush. Lindback made 2 stops but Matt Duchene buried the third attempt, lifting the puck over a sprawled Lindback and under the crossbar.
The Predators had a glorious scoring chance with a 2 on 1 rush by Craig Smith and Matt Halischuk, but Smith's pass to Halsichuk was tipped away at the last second. Halsichuk did not give up on the play, and retrieved the puck in the corner and got it to Smith, who ripped a slap shot off Giguere and into the net for his 14th goal of the season. The score came at 12:10, and it is good to see the Honey Badger contributing when he is getting ice time.
The Predators stretched their lead to 3-1 when Kevin Klein took a shot from the blue line that deflected off the stick of Patric Hornqvist and past Giguere with just 1.2 seconds remaining on the clock in the first period.This was Hornqvist's 27th goal of the season.
Solid start?
Check.
The Avs out shot the Predators 14-12 in the first period, and Lindback had some big saves to thwart some good scoring chances by Colorado.
The second period saw the Avs take it to the Predators. They dominated play and fired numerous shots on the Predators net. Lindback had to make some big saves to keep the Avs from tallying a score that would have put them back in the game. The Avs dominance was such that they out shot the Predators 16-3 through the first 16 minutes of the second.
The Predators opportunistically struck at 16:09 of the second as Craig Smith found Roman Josi pinching in from his defensive position and fed a great pass to him at the side of the net. Josi made no mistake, finding the back of the net on just the Predators 4th shot of the period.
With 14 seconds to go in the period, Craig Smith saved a goal by hooking Matt Duchene, who was looking at a wide open net off a rebound given up by Lindback.
The second period ended with the Predators being out shot 17-9, and they would be on the penalty kill to begin the third. For the Predators, it was important to come out and play a solid 20 minutes of hockey and put this game in the books.
The Predators killed off the penalty to open the third period, and as the power play ended, Lindback kicked out a long rebound that sent Brandon Yip on a breakaway. Yip was stopped by Giguere, but the Predators kept control of the puck. Patric Hornqvist battled for the puck and got it back to Yip, who banked the puck off Giguere and into the net off the wrap around to make it 5-1 Predators at 1:57 of the third period.
How sweet this goal must have been for the Yipper.
Shortly thereafter, Lindback collided with both Jack Hillen and Ryan Ellis as well as Cody McLeod of the Avs and was injured on the play. Pekka Rinne had to come into the game as Lindback was taken back to the dressing room.
Matt Halischuk stole the puck and broke in on a 2 on 1 and rather that pass (!) picked the short side over the shoulder and buried the shot to give the Predators a 6-1 lead at 6:20 of the third period. For Halischuk, this was his 15th goal of the season.
The remainder of the period was spent playing some wide open shinny as both teams went up and down the ice, but neither could find the back of the net, and the 6-1 score was a final.
The Predators were out shot by a wide margin, 45-29, but the count that mattered was the goals scored.
For the Predators, this was a good tune up for the playoffs. More importantly, the young guys that were inserted into the line up played with jump and determination, a good sign that they have a lot of fight in them for those coveted- and limited- roster spots with the playoffs upcoming.
The Predators finish the regular season with a 48-26-8 record, good for 104 points and cleanly in 4th place in the West. Pekka Rinne had more wins than any other goaltender in the NHL.
Those accolades are great.
Now the real season starts.
My three stars:
1. Craig Smith
2. Anders Lindback
3. Roman Josi
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Predators Shoot Down the Stars 2-0
The Nashville Predators defeated the Dallas Stars 2-0 at the Bridgestone Arena to move back into 4th place in the Western Conference with one game remaining on their regular season schedule. The Predators will face the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday at the Pepsi Center.
The Stars were eliminated from the playoffs with the loss.
Pekka Rinne got the start for the Predators, and with his 5th shutout of the season sits atop the NHL with 43 wins.
Kari Lehtonen was in net for the Stars, and held the Predators off the board for the first two periods with a solid effort.
The first period was scoreless and took on the tenor of a heavyweight fight as both teams probed the others defense, looking for an opening. The Stars were trapping and the Predators had a difficult time getting their offensive flow established. The Predators defense responded by keeping the Stars to the outside and allowing very few quality chances.
The period ended with the Predators outshooting the Stars 9-8.
The second period was more of the same, with the best scoring chance coming from the Stars, as a shot from the face off circle got through Rinne and trickled toward the goal line. Fortunately, the puck dribbled into the post, and Rinne was able to recover.
Shots were 8-8 in the second period, but the Predators defense continued to force the Stars to the outside and did not allow room in the prime scoring areas. The Stars were desperate, playing for their post season lives, and the Predators matched their desperation and intensity, which was critical in this game.
The Predators finally broke through in then third period as Patric Hornqvist fired a shot that Lehtonen kicked out with his pad. Francis Bouillon and Andrei Kostitsyn converged on the puck, and it was Bouillon that got it on his stick and stuffed a backhand shot past Lehtonen to give the Predators a 1-0 lead at 4:28 of the third period.
With the lead, the Stars ramped up their push to get back in the game. The Predators defense was equal to the task and kept the Stars from getting good scoring opportunities.
This was the kind of game where the Predators could not get comfortable with a 1 goal lead, and another goal would all but seal the win for the Predators.
That goal would come at the 18 minute mark as Brandon Yip took a shot and Lehtonen kicked a rebound out into the low slot. The puck was lying between 3 Stars defenders, but it was Patric Hornqvist who swooped in and chipped the puck over the shoulder of Lehtonen to give the Predators a 2-0 lead.
It got interesting late in the game as the Stars pulled Lehtonen for the extra attacker and Mike Fisher was penalized for delay of game at 19:05.
The Predators PK unit came up big as they had done all night with another kill. Hal Gill and Paul Gaustad both blocked shots and the Stars never really threatened the Predators with the 2 man advantage.
This was a solid win by the Predators against a team that was fighting for their playoff destiny. The Predators matched their intensity and effort. The Stars played full tilt, and the Predators matched their effort.
Kudos to the Predators PK unit. They killed all 4 of the Stars power plays, and continue their solid effort. The Predators also blocked 23 shots by the Stars in the game.
The 2 goals tonight bring the Predators season total to 230 with one game remaining. This ties the team record for third most goals scored in a season. Quietly, the Predators have put together a very solid offensive effort with balanced scoring throughout the line up.
The Predators can wrap up home ice with a win in Colorado or loss or an overtime loss by the Wings in their game on Saturday.
The goal of home ice is in sight.
Time to take control of your destiny.
My three stars:
1. Pekka Rinne
2. Patric Hornqvist
3. Francis Bouillon
The Stars were eliminated from the playoffs with the loss.
Pekka Rinne got the start for the Predators, and with his 5th shutout of the season sits atop the NHL with 43 wins.
Kari Lehtonen was in net for the Stars, and held the Predators off the board for the first two periods with a solid effort.
The first period was scoreless and took on the tenor of a heavyweight fight as both teams probed the others defense, looking for an opening. The Stars were trapping and the Predators had a difficult time getting their offensive flow established. The Predators defense responded by keeping the Stars to the outside and allowing very few quality chances.
The period ended with the Predators outshooting the Stars 9-8.
The second period was more of the same, with the best scoring chance coming from the Stars, as a shot from the face off circle got through Rinne and trickled toward the goal line. Fortunately, the puck dribbled into the post, and Rinne was able to recover.
Shots were 8-8 in the second period, but the Predators defense continued to force the Stars to the outside and did not allow room in the prime scoring areas. The Stars were desperate, playing for their post season lives, and the Predators matched their desperation and intensity, which was critical in this game.
The Predators finally broke through in then third period as Patric Hornqvist fired a shot that Lehtonen kicked out with his pad. Francis Bouillon and Andrei Kostitsyn converged on the puck, and it was Bouillon that got it on his stick and stuffed a backhand shot past Lehtonen to give the Predators a 1-0 lead at 4:28 of the third period.
With the lead, the Stars ramped up their push to get back in the game. The Predators defense was equal to the task and kept the Stars from getting good scoring opportunities.
This was the kind of game where the Predators could not get comfortable with a 1 goal lead, and another goal would all but seal the win for the Predators.
That goal would come at the 18 minute mark as Brandon Yip took a shot and Lehtonen kicked a rebound out into the low slot. The puck was lying between 3 Stars defenders, but it was Patric Hornqvist who swooped in and chipped the puck over the shoulder of Lehtonen to give the Predators a 2-0 lead.
It got interesting late in the game as the Stars pulled Lehtonen for the extra attacker and Mike Fisher was penalized for delay of game at 19:05.
The Predators PK unit came up big as they had done all night with another kill. Hal Gill and Paul Gaustad both blocked shots and the Stars never really threatened the Predators with the 2 man advantage.
This was a solid win by the Predators against a team that was fighting for their playoff destiny. The Predators matched their intensity and effort. The Stars played full tilt, and the Predators matched their effort.
Kudos to the Predators PK unit. They killed all 4 of the Stars power plays, and continue their solid effort. The Predators also blocked 23 shots by the Stars in the game.
The 2 goals tonight bring the Predators season total to 230 with one game remaining. This ties the team record for third most goals scored in a season. Quietly, the Predators have put together a very solid offensive effort with balanced scoring throughout the line up.
The Predators can wrap up home ice with a win in Colorado or loss or an overtime loss by the Wings in their game on Saturday.
The goal of home ice is in sight.
Time to take control of your destiny.
My three stars:
1. Pekka Rinne
2. Patric Hornqvist
3. Francis Bouillon
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Predators Hand the Hawks a 5-4 Victory
The Chicago Blackhawks visited the Bridgestone Arena looking for their first regulation win against the Nashville Predators.
They got it courtesy of some sloppy play by the Predators.
Chicago won the game 5-4 in a wild contest that saw the Hawks jump out to a 4-0 lead only to see the Predators claw their way back and tie the game at 4 in the third period.
Some observations from the game:
Pekka Rinne was in net for the Predators, and he was victimized by the play of the defense in front of him. The Hawks scored the first goal of the game when a centering pass across the top of the crease went off the skate of Hal Gill and past Rinne with the Hawks on the power play.
Chicago had a lead of 1-0 at the end of the first period. The Predators would open the second period a man down as David Legwand was in the box for hooking. The Hawks tallied again on the power play as the Predators defense lost Dave Bolland. Bolland was left alone to take a pass from Marian Hossa and his one timer gave the Hawks a 2-0 lead.
Patrick Kane beat Francis Buillon down the ice and beat Rinne five hole on a breakaway. Another defensive breakdown and another Hawks goal.
Viktor Stalberg once again beat Buillon down the ice and scored off the rebound of his shot to give the Hawks a 4-0 lead.
At this point, the wheels had come off for the Predators and it looked like the Hawks were going to exact a measure of revenge for the 6-1 drubbing the Predators had put on the Hawks in their last meeting.
Up to this point, the Predators had not been able to rattle Corey Crawford, although their had been a good deal of traffic and activity by the Predators in front of Crawford. Crawford even got some punches in on Paul Gaustad when he was checked into Crawford in the first period. Crawford still looked in control, and the Predators were having a difficult time solving him.
That changed when the Predators kept firing pucks at the net and getting traffic in front of Crawford.
The Predators made it 4-1 at 9:29 of the second period when Marty Erat tallied on the power play. It was a simple play, as Erat took a shot from the slot with traffic in front and the screened Crawford never saw the shot.
Just under a minute later, Shea Weber notched the first of his two goals on the night with a wrist shot from the blue line that beat Crawford. Once again, there was traffic in front and Crawford could not pick up the puck.
In the third period, the Predators pulled within one as Alexander Radulov split Brent Seabrook and Sean O'Donnell and beat Crawford with a sweet backhand move at 4:38.
Shea Weber tied the game on the power play at 7:19 of the third with a blast from the blue line that Crawford never saw. Patric Hornqvist was screening in front and did a great job of taking away Crawford's eyes on the play.
Tied at 4, this was a game the Predators could take. Crawford and more than a few of the Hawks had a deer in the headlights look. Now the Predators needed to score that next goal.
Instead, it was the Hawks that tallied when Brent Seabrook scored to give the Hawks the final margin of victory. On the play, David Legwand got beat coming back and Seabrook took a nice pass from Andrew Shaw and beat Rinne with a one timer.
The Hawks are too good of a team to spot 4 goals. The fact that the Predators fought back and had a chance to win the game speaks volumes about their heart, but their play through the first 30 minutes of the contest caused them to expend an enormous amount of energy getting back into the game.
Their undisciplined play, taking 5 penalties and giving up 2 power play goals certainly did not help the effort.
The game winning goal was particularly galling. Legwand did not hustle back and left Seabrook open for the game winner. For a veteran, this play by Legwand was extremely disappointing.
The Predators finished the season series with the Hawks at 4-1-1. With 98 points, they sit one point in front of Detroit and Chicago, who tied the Detroit Red Wings with this win.
This game proved that the Predators can come back against any team. It also proved that they cannot play loose in the defensive zone and expect to win any game.
The Predators have 3 games remaining, and those 6 points are going to be important for the final seeding in the West. The Predators have to go out and capture those points.
And not hand any games to their opponents.
My three stars:
1. Shea Weber
2. Brent Seabrook
3. Ryan Suter
They got it courtesy of some sloppy play by the Predators.
Chicago won the game 5-4 in a wild contest that saw the Hawks jump out to a 4-0 lead only to see the Predators claw their way back and tie the game at 4 in the third period.
Some observations from the game:
Pekka Rinne was in net for the Predators, and he was victimized by the play of the defense in front of him. The Hawks scored the first goal of the game when a centering pass across the top of the crease went off the skate of Hal Gill and past Rinne with the Hawks on the power play.
Chicago had a lead of 1-0 at the end of the first period. The Predators would open the second period a man down as David Legwand was in the box for hooking. The Hawks tallied again on the power play as the Predators defense lost Dave Bolland. Bolland was left alone to take a pass from Marian Hossa and his one timer gave the Hawks a 2-0 lead.
Patrick Kane beat Francis Buillon down the ice and beat Rinne five hole on a breakaway. Another defensive breakdown and another Hawks goal.
Viktor Stalberg once again beat Buillon down the ice and scored off the rebound of his shot to give the Hawks a 4-0 lead.
At this point, the wheels had come off for the Predators and it looked like the Hawks were going to exact a measure of revenge for the 6-1 drubbing the Predators had put on the Hawks in their last meeting.
Up to this point, the Predators had not been able to rattle Corey Crawford, although their had been a good deal of traffic and activity by the Predators in front of Crawford. Crawford even got some punches in on Paul Gaustad when he was checked into Crawford in the first period. Crawford still looked in control, and the Predators were having a difficult time solving him.
That changed when the Predators kept firing pucks at the net and getting traffic in front of Crawford.
The Predators made it 4-1 at 9:29 of the second period when Marty Erat tallied on the power play. It was a simple play, as Erat took a shot from the slot with traffic in front and the screened Crawford never saw the shot.
Just under a minute later, Shea Weber notched the first of his two goals on the night with a wrist shot from the blue line that beat Crawford. Once again, there was traffic in front and Crawford could not pick up the puck.
In the third period, the Predators pulled within one as Alexander Radulov split Brent Seabrook and Sean O'Donnell and beat Crawford with a sweet backhand move at 4:38.
Shea Weber tied the game on the power play at 7:19 of the third with a blast from the blue line that Crawford never saw. Patric Hornqvist was screening in front and did a great job of taking away Crawford's eyes on the play.
Tied at 4, this was a game the Predators could take. Crawford and more than a few of the Hawks had a deer in the headlights look. Now the Predators needed to score that next goal.
Instead, it was the Hawks that tallied when Brent Seabrook scored to give the Hawks the final margin of victory. On the play, David Legwand got beat coming back and Seabrook took a nice pass from Andrew Shaw and beat Rinne with a one timer.
The Hawks are too good of a team to spot 4 goals. The fact that the Predators fought back and had a chance to win the game speaks volumes about their heart, but their play through the first 30 minutes of the contest caused them to expend an enormous amount of energy getting back into the game.
Their undisciplined play, taking 5 penalties and giving up 2 power play goals certainly did not help the effort.
The game winning goal was particularly galling. Legwand did not hustle back and left Seabrook open for the game winner. For a veteran, this play by Legwand was extremely disappointing.
The Predators finished the season series with the Hawks at 4-1-1. With 98 points, they sit one point in front of Detroit and Chicago, who tied the Detroit Red Wings with this win.
This game proved that the Predators can come back against any team. It also proved that they cannot play loose in the defensive zone and expect to win any game.
The Predators have 3 games remaining, and those 6 points are going to be important for the final seeding in the West. The Predators have to go out and capture those points.
And not hand any games to their opponents.
My three stars:
1. Shea Weber
2. Brent Seabrook
3. Ryan Suter
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Predators Embarrassed by the Oilers 6-3
The Nashville Predators were in the Bridgestone Arena for a game with the Edmonton Oilers. Unfortunately, the Predators were there in name only, as the Oilers embarrassed them by a 6-3 margin.
First, kudos to the Oilers. The captured the season series 3-0-1 and the Predators never were in any of the contests except for a lucky OT win in Edmonton. Tonight, the team with the second worst record in the Western Conference dominated the Predators and earned the win.
Here are some observations from the game:
The Predators out shot the Oilers 44-20. That is a positive. However, many of the shots were easy for Oilers netminder Devan Dubnyk to handle. Often the shots came from the point with not traffic in front of the net. In fact, Patric Hornqvist was one of a few Predators that was willing to go into the hard areas in front of the net. Hornqvist was rewarded for his efforts with a goal and was hosed by the officials when another goal was waved off for a specious interference call.
At times, the power play looked lost. Yes, they were 1 for 3, but often, the Oilers won puck battles or beat the Predators to pucks and cleared the zone. The power play did not show much movement at times, allowing the Oilers to attack the puck and force the turnover.
The two and a half man D pairing of Hal Gill and Ryan Ellis was atrocious. Those two spent two periods together and never developed any semblance of chemistry. Gill was -3 and Ellis was -4 for the night. That pairing was split up in the third period, with Kevin Klein pairing with Gill and Ellis pairing with Francis Buillon.
The Oilers first goal was a fluke, with a puck thrown toward the net careening off the skate of Klein and past Rinne. The second goal was a 2 on 1 break by the Oilers. But the third goal was a killer. It looked as if Rinne had the puck in his glove, and the defense relaxed. Rinne did not control the rebound, and the Oilers played to the whistle and Ales Hemsky banged home the loose puck for a 3-1 lead.
The Predators sloppy play made Hemsky look like the second coming of Gretzky, as Hemsky had a hat trick. The only thing that one can say about that is unbelievable.
To give up 6 goals on 20 shots is...beyond words. Defensive coverage was awful, allowing way too much traffic to our net. It is surprising how much this team misses Roman Josi.
Here is the bottom line: this is a talented team that is not ready for a playoff run. This team lacks intensity and an edge. Too often, the Predators let their opponent punch them in the mouth and they do not respond. This is an element of their game that is missing and will bite them in the ass come playoff time.
It is up to the coaching staff to get this team ready to play, and I have confidence they do that. However, it is up to the players themselves to respond positively to adversity, and right now, I do not see that leadership on the ice. That is scary, and does not bode well for the Predators.
As a team, you do not want to shuffle into the playoffs. You want to be hitting stride when the playoffs start. Right now, the Predators are not in stride. They are stumbling.
It is time for each player to look around the room and hold themselves and each other accountable. It is time for this team to amp up their intensity and their effort. The shots on goal belie the fact this team was sloppy tonight.
Sloppy will get you killed in the playoffs.
This is a game that is forgettable. I hope this team doesn't forget it. I want them to vividly remember that just showing up is not how you win games.
I want this team to remember the opportunity they lost. An opportunity to build a small lead on their hold on fourth place. And I want them to use this embarrassment to fuel stronger play in the remaining regular season games.
And especially in the playoffs.
My three stars:
1. Ales Hemsky
2. Devan Dubnyk
3. David Legwand
First, kudos to the Oilers. The captured the season series 3-0-1 and the Predators never were in any of the contests except for a lucky OT win in Edmonton. Tonight, the team with the second worst record in the Western Conference dominated the Predators and earned the win.
Here are some observations from the game:
The Predators out shot the Oilers 44-20. That is a positive. However, many of the shots were easy for Oilers netminder Devan Dubnyk to handle. Often the shots came from the point with not traffic in front of the net. In fact, Patric Hornqvist was one of a few Predators that was willing to go into the hard areas in front of the net. Hornqvist was rewarded for his efforts with a goal and was hosed by the officials when another goal was waved off for a specious interference call.
At times, the power play looked lost. Yes, they were 1 for 3, but often, the Oilers won puck battles or beat the Predators to pucks and cleared the zone. The power play did not show much movement at times, allowing the Oilers to attack the puck and force the turnover.
The two and a half man D pairing of Hal Gill and Ryan Ellis was atrocious. Those two spent two periods together and never developed any semblance of chemistry. Gill was -3 and Ellis was -4 for the night. That pairing was split up in the third period, with Kevin Klein pairing with Gill and Ellis pairing with Francis Buillon.
The Oilers first goal was a fluke, with a puck thrown toward the net careening off the skate of Klein and past Rinne. The second goal was a 2 on 1 break by the Oilers. But the third goal was a killer. It looked as if Rinne had the puck in his glove, and the defense relaxed. Rinne did not control the rebound, and the Oilers played to the whistle and Ales Hemsky banged home the loose puck for a 3-1 lead.
The Predators sloppy play made Hemsky look like the second coming of Gretzky, as Hemsky had a hat trick. The only thing that one can say about that is unbelievable.
To give up 6 goals on 20 shots is...beyond words. Defensive coverage was awful, allowing way too much traffic to our net. It is surprising how much this team misses Roman Josi.
Here is the bottom line: this is a talented team that is not ready for a playoff run. This team lacks intensity and an edge. Too often, the Predators let their opponent punch them in the mouth and they do not respond. This is an element of their game that is missing and will bite them in the ass come playoff time.
It is up to the coaching staff to get this team ready to play, and I have confidence they do that. However, it is up to the players themselves to respond positively to adversity, and right now, I do not see that leadership on the ice. That is scary, and does not bode well for the Predators.
As a team, you do not want to shuffle into the playoffs. You want to be hitting stride when the playoffs start. Right now, the Predators are not in stride. They are stumbling.
It is time for each player to look around the room and hold themselves and each other accountable. It is time for this team to amp up their intensity and their effort. The shots on goal belie the fact this team was sloppy tonight.
Sloppy will get you killed in the playoffs.
This is a game that is forgettable. I hope this team doesn't forget it. I want them to vividly remember that just showing up is not how you win games.
I want this team to remember the opportunity they lost. An opportunity to build a small lead on their hold on fourth place. And I want them to use this embarrassment to fuel stronger play in the remaining regular season games.
And especially in the playoffs.
My three stars:
1. Ales Hemsky
2. Devan Dubnyk
3. David Legwand
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
A Look at the Predators Acquisitions and What they Bring to the Team
The Nashville Predators made three moves leading up to the NHL trade deadline, bolstering their roster for a playoff push.
Hal Gill was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens on February 17th for forwards Blake Geoffrion, Robert Slaney, and the Predators second round pick in the 2012 draft. The Predators received a conditional fifth round pick in 2013 if Geoffrion plays 40 games for the Canadiens.
At the trade deadline, the Predators acquired forward Andrei Kostitsyn from the Canadiens for a second round pick in the 2013 draft and a return of the conditional fifth round pick that the team received in the earlier acquisition of Gill.
The Predators then acquired center Paul Gaustad from the Buffalo Sabres for their first round pick in the 2012 draft.
With these acquisitions, the Predators have shown that they are gearing up for a deep playoff run and have addressed some needs that the team felt they needed to fill. Let's take a look at what these acquisitions mean for the Predators.
Hal Gill
With the addition of Gill, the Predators have an imposing physical presence on the blue line that brings a wealth of experience to the rink. Gill has a Stanley Cup ring from his days with the Pittsburgh Penguins, and that experience will prove to invaluable to this young Predators squad. Gill is a veteran that is good in the locker room and solid off the ice, and I expect that experience in the playoff wars to be critical.
Gill will never impress with his speed, and the thunderous hits are few and far between. His ability to play with good position and to smother another team's forwards are his biggest strengths. He is a valuable member of the PK unit and is exceptional at blocking shots.
Three players will be the biggest beneficiaries of having Gill on the blue line. Roman Josi, his regular defense partner, will have more leeway to use his speed and offensive skills because Gill is a stay at home defenseman. Additionally, the veteran presence of Gill will benefit Josi in his development on the blue line, as the talented rookie will be able to draw on his partner's experience. The ability of this pair to mesh quickly has been a plus for the Predators and Josi in particular.
The other two beneficiaries are Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. The presence of Gill will allow the top D pair to shave a few minutes off their ice time, which will be beneficial to their play as the season winds down and the playoffs begin. Gill helps take some of the pressure off the blueliners and gives the Predators a strong shut down defenseman on the second pair.
Paul Gaustad
Predator fans may remember this exchange between Gaustad and Anders Lindback during the December 3rd game against the Buffalo Sabres. This occurred after the collision between Jordin Tootoo and Ryan Miller and the subsequent fight:
The fiery Gaustad told Lindback that he was coming for him. It is no secret that Gaustad was well respected and liked in the Sabres locker room, and this is one reason why. Gaustad is a warrior and willing to do what it takes for his team to win.
Gaustad will not score a tremendous number of goals. This season, he has 7G-10A for 17 points. What he brings to the Predators is a big body in the middle that is excellent defensively and on face offs. Gaustad is a shut down player that can match up well with an opponents scoring line. His size, 6'5' and 220 lbs, will help the Predators when they face teams that are bigger up front. In a conversation I had with Barry Trotz, he expressed to me the need to have more size up front and players that could battle with the big forwards that the Predators face in the Western Conference. Gaustad fills that role for the Predators and should help with the match ups the Predators will face in the playoffs.
The biggest beneficary of this acquisition will be Craig Smith, who can move from center back to the wing, where he has fewer defensive responsibilities and can be more creative offensively. Gaustad also the give the coaching staff the ability to move players like Nick Spaling and Matt Halischuk up and down the line up for more favorable match ups.
Andrei Kostitsyn
The Predators visited the Montreal Canadiens again to pick up what is hoped will be another reclamation project that will pay scoring dividends. With the acquisition of Andrei Kostitsyn, the Predators have reunited him with his brother Sergei, whom the Predators acquired in 2010 from the Canadiens. Management hopes that Barry Trotz and his staff can work their magic with Andrei like they have done with Sergei.
Andrei is a wild card. He is a big body (6'0" 205) that has a heavy shot and can create offensively. His numbers in Montreal this season have not been impressive (12G-12A, 24 points), but he has shown flashes of offensive creativity and explosiveness. The hope is that he will settle in quickly and contribute offensively for the Predators. His size allows him to match up well with the opponents that he will face in the Western Conference.
In addition to the acquisitions, the Predators said good-bye to long time Predator Jerred Smithson, who was shipped to Florida for a 6th round draft pick. Smithson was a gritty, defensive forward that excelled in a shutdown role and was good in the face off dot. Gaustad effectively replaces Smithson and is better in the face off circle and with his offensive production.
In the background of these trades is the impending negotiation of a new contract for Ryan Suter, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. By now, everyone that follows the Predators knows that Suter has chosen not to continue negotiations until after the season. Money is not the issue for Suter, but instead, according to Suter, the efforts of the team to win the Cup, or at very least to go deep in the playoffs. By making these acquisitions, the Predators have made a statement that they are willing to do what it takes to do just that- make a strong run for the Cup.
The question that no one can answer?
Is it enough?
Hal Gill was acquired from the Montreal Canadiens on February 17th for forwards Blake Geoffrion, Robert Slaney, and the Predators second round pick in the 2012 draft. The Predators received a conditional fifth round pick in 2013 if Geoffrion plays 40 games for the Canadiens.
At the trade deadline, the Predators acquired forward Andrei Kostitsyn from the Canadiens for a second round pick in the 2013 draft and a return of the conditional fifth round pick that the team received in the earlier acquisition of Gill.
The Predators then acquired center Paul Gaustad from the Buffalo Sabres for their first round pick in the 2012 draft.
With these acquisitions, the Predators have shown that they are gearing up for a deep playoff run and have addressed some needs that the team felt they needed to fill. Let's take a look at what these acquisitions mean for the Predators.
Hal Gill
Gill will never impress with his speed, and the thunderous hits are few and far between. His ability to play with good position and to smother another team's forwards are his biggest strengths. He is a valuable member of the PK unit and is exceptional at blocking shots.
Three players will be the biggest beneficiaries of having Gill on the blue line. Roman Josi, his regular defense partner, will have more leeway to use his speed and offensive skills because Gill is a stay at home defenseman. Additionally, the veteran presence of Gill will benefit Josi in his development on the blue line, as the talented rookie will be able to draw on his partner's experience. The ability of this pair to mesh quickly has been a plus for the Predators and Josi in particular.
The other two beneficiaries are Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. The presence of Gill will allow the top D pair to shave a few minutes off their ice time, which will be beneficial to their play as the season winds down and the playoffs begin. Gill helps take some of the pressure off the blueliners and gives the Predators a strong shut down defenseman on the second pair.
Paul Gaustad
Predator fans may remember this exchange between Gaustad and Anders Lindback during the December 3rd game against the Buffalo Sabres. This occurred after the collision between Jordin Tootoo and Ryan Miller and the subsequent fight:
Gaustad will not score a tremendous number of goals. This season, he has 7G-10A for 17 points. What he brings to the Predators is a big body in the middle that is excellent defensively and on face offs. Gaustad is a shut down player that can match up well with an opponents scoring line. His size, 6'5' and 220 lbs, will help the Predators when they face teams that are bigger up front. In a conversation I had with Barry Trotz, he expressed to me the need to have more size up front and players that could battle with the big forwards that the Predators face in the Western Conference. Gaustad fills that role for the Predators and should help with the match ups the Predators will face in the playoffs.
The biggest beneficary of this acquisition will be Craig Smith, who can move from center back to the wing, where he has fewer defensive responsibilities and can be more creative offensively. Gaustad also the give the coaching staff the ability to move players like Nick Spaling and Matt Halischuk up and down the line up for more favorable match ups.
Andrei Kostitsyn
Andrei is a wild card. He is a big body (6'0" 205) that has a heavy shot and can create offensively. His numbers in Montreal this season have not been impressive (12G-12A, 24 points), but he has shown flashes of offensive creativity and explosiveness. The hope is that he will settle in quickly and contribute offensively for the Predators. His size allows him to match up well with the opponents that he will face in the Western Conference.
In addition to the acquisitions, the Predators said good-bye to long time Predator Jerred Smithson, who was shipped to Florida for a 6th round draft pick. Smithson was a gritty, defensive forward that excelled in a shutdown role and was good in the face off dot. Gaustad effectively replaces Smithson and is better in the face off circle and with his offensive production.
In the background of these trades is the impending negotiation of a new contract for Ryan Suter, who will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. By now, everyone that follows the Predators knows that Suter has chosen not to continue negotiations until after the season. Money is not the issue for Suter, but instead, according to Suter, the efforts of the team to win the Cup, or at very least to go deep in the playoffs. By making these acquisitions, the Predators have made a statement that they are willing to do what it takes to do just that- make a strong run for the Cup.
The question that no one can answer?
Is it enough?
Monday, February 27, 2012
Predators Grind Out a 2-1 Win Over the Kings
The Nashville Predators secured a workmanlike 2-1 victory over he Los Angeles Kings at the Bridgestone Arena to run their record to 37-19-7, good for 81 points.
The first period was a spirited affair between the two teams as each had some good scoring chances. Pekka Rinne got the start in net for the Predators, and he was called upon to make some good saves early in the contest to keep the Kings off the board. Jonathan Quick, the Kings netminder, did the same, thwarting some good scoring chances for the Predators.
The Predators would find the back of the net late in the first period on a goal by Roman Josi at 18:27. Josi took a wrist shot that hit the Kings Drew Doughty's stick and was re-directed between Quick's arm and his body. The puck trickled through and over the goal line to give the Predators a 1-0 lead.
Patric Hornqvist extended the lead to 2-0 at 3:52 of the second period. David Legwand fired a puck off the end board that caromed directly onto the tape of Hornqvist's stick. Hornqvist buried the shot past an out of position quick for his 18th goal of the season. It was good to see Hornqvist back in action and contributing after missing five games due to injury.
The Kings got on the board at 16:36 of the third period as Dustin Brown fired a shot toward the net with traffic in front. The puck pinballed off the skates of Ryan Suter and Mike Fisher and skittered past Rinne for the Kings only goal of the game.
Leading 2-1 with the clock winding down, the Predators held the Kings off the board and secured an important two points.
Pekka Rinne made 30 saves for the Predators, some of which were spectacular. For the game, the Kings out shot the Predators 31-28.
The Predators did a good job of forechecking the Kings and skated well with them all night. The Kings like to use their size to wear down their opponents, but the Predators generally did a good job of controlling the Kings cycle and forcing them to the outside. Unlike their previous game with the Sharks, the Predators stepped up their offensive pressure in the third period, especially late in the game, preventing Quick from getting off the ice for the extra attacker by forcing the puck deep and forcing the Kings to defend in their zone.
Kudos to Hal Gill for another strong game. Gill continues to block shots and his physical presence is dominant in front of the net. Gill is especially important to this team in taking pressure off of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter by chewing up minutes. Also, a special mention should go to Jack Hillen. Hillen was inserted into the lineup with Kevin Klein out of action, and he played a solid game. His best play came in blocking s hot that was targeted for the open net when Rinne was out of position.
This was a solid effort against a desperate team that really needed the points. The Predators continue to play a strong team game, and have four lines that can put the puck in the net. More importantly, the four lines that are on the ice are defensively responsible and contribute quality minutes in all situations.
This is a winning formula. Sometimes the wins are not things of beauty, but they are wins nevertheless.
And the Predators will take them.
My three stars:
1. Pekka Rinne
2. Patric Hornqvist
3. Roman Josi
The first period was a spirited affair between the two teams as each had some good scoring chances. Pekka Rinne got the start in net for the Predators, and he was called upon to make some good saves early in the contest to keep the Kings off the board. Jonathan Quick, the Kings netminder, did the same, thwarting some good scoring chances for the Predators.
The Predators would find the back of the net late in the first period on a goal by Roman Josi at 18:27. Josi took a wrist shot that hit the Kings Drew Doughty's stick and was re-directed between Quick's arm and his body. The puck trickled through and over the goal line to give the Predators a 1-0 lead.
Patric Hornqvist extended the lead to 2-0 at 3:52 of the second period. David Legwand fired a puck off the end board that caromed directly onto the tape of Hornqvist's stick. Hornqvist buried the shot past an out of position quick for his 18th goal of the season. It was good to see Hornqvist back in action and contributing after missing five games due to injury.
The Kings got on the board at 16:36 of the third period as Dustin Brown fired a shot toward the net with traffic in front. The puck pinballed off the skates of Ryan Suter and Mike Fisher and skittered past Rinne for the Kings only goal of the game.
Leading 2-1 with the clock winding down, the Predators held the Kings off the board and secured an important two points.
Pekka Rinne made 30 saves for the Predators, some of which were spectacular. For the game, the Kings out shot the Predators 31-28.
The Predators did a good job of forechecking the Kings and skated well with them all night. The Kings like to use their size to wear down their opponents, but the Predators generally did a good job of controlling the Kings cycle and forcing them to the outside. Unlike their previous game with the Sharks, the Predators stepped up their offensive pressure in the third period, especially late in the game, preventing Quick from getting off the ice for the extra attacker by forcing the puck deep and forcing the Kings to defend in their zone.
Kudos to Hal Gill for another strong game. Gill continues to block shots and his physical presence is dominant in front of the net. Gill is especially important to this team in taking pressure off of Shea Weber and Ryan Suter by chewing up minutes. Also, a special mention should go to Jack Hillen. Hillen was inserted into the lineup with Kevin Klein out of action, and he played a solid game. His best play came in blocking s hot that was targeted for the open net when Rinne was out of position.
This was a solid effort against a desperate team that really needed the points. The Predators continue to play a strong team game, and have four lines that can put the puck in the net. More importantly, the four lines that are on the ice are defensively responsible and contribute quality minutes in all situations.
This is a winning formula. Sometimes the wins are not things of beauty, but they are wins nevertheless.
And the Predators will take them.
My three stars:
1. Pekka Rinne
2. Patric Hornqvist
3. Roman Josi
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Predators Vanquish Vancouver 3-1
The Nashville Predators continue through the Murderer's Row segment of their schedule by facing the Vancouver Canucks at Bridgestone Arena, facing a Canucks team that had won four straight games and had not lost in regulation in their last 13 games.
Daunting?
No doubt.
Impossible?
No way.
The Predators faced a tall task in attempting to shut down the potent Canucks offense, and they would be relying on the solid play of netminder Pekka Rinne to backstop the effort. New Predator Hal Gill would be called on to play some solid minutes against the Canucks second line led by Ryan Kessler.
Both were outstanding.
Roberto Luongo was in net for the Canucks, and he came up with some big save against the Predators to keep the score respectable.
The first period was scoreless, but both teams created some good chances. The Canucks cycle game worked very well in the first period, and the first five minutes of the contest was spent in the Predators zone. The Predators weathered the attack and got their feet moving and started skating with the Canucks, generating some chances but, like the Canucks, were unable to capitalize on their opportunities.
The first period ended with the Canucks out shooting the Predators 12-11.
The fireworks started in the second period, and it was the Predators that capitalized first. With Henrik Sedin in the box for tripping, the Predators went to work on the power play. Ryan Suter found Mike Fisher alone at the side of the net and whipped a pass to him. Fisher took took whacks at the puck and got it to trickle over the goal line to give the Predators a 1-0 lead at 5:42 of the second period.
The Predators gave the Canucks an opportunity to get right back into the game, as Colin Wilson was in the box for hooking. The Predators PK once again was solid, killing the penalty.
Once again, the Predators PK unit was called upon to kill another penalty, as Francis Buillon was called for tripping at 12:29. The unit did more than kill the penalty as Mike Fisher got control of the puck at the Predators blue line. Fisher froze Sami Salo with a great move and started a 2 on 1 break with Sergei Kostitsyn. With Alex Edler back on defense, Fisher drove the net and sent a backhand saucer pass to a streaking Sergei Kostitsyn. Kostitsyn showed great eye hand coordination as he got the puck on his stick and one time a shot past a falling and flailing Luongo to make it 2-0 Predators at 13:16 of the second.
The Canucks would cut the lead to 2-1 at 16:52 of the second as Roman Josi had the puck along the boards but fell. He managed to slipped the puck to David Legwand, who also fell and turned the puck over to Dale Weise. Weise was able to walk in alone and roofed a backhand over Rinne's blocker for the score.
Late in the period, Canucks pest Alex Burrows boarded Shea Weber near the Predators bench. There was no call, and Weber responded by throwing Burrows to the ice. Burrows apparently failed to realize who he was facing, as he decided to drop the gloves with Weber. Weber quickly slammed Burrows to the ice without a punch being thrown. Frankly, Burrows is lucky that Weber didn't throw a punch.
If you are going to poke the bear, you had better have a pair.
Vancouver out shot the Predators 13-8 in the second, and went to the locker room trailing by one. Although the Predators had the lead, it was going to be a war in the third period, and it was critical that the Predators not sit back as they had done in the Dallas game in the third period. They would not survive the Canucks if they did so.
The third period was a back and forth affair, with both teams creating some very good chances. The majority of those went to the Predators, and Luongo made some good saves to keep the Predators off the board and the Canucks within one goal.
That would change at 17:09 as David Legwand would fire a wrist shot of a puck that was on edge and the shot cleanly beat Luongo over his shoulder to give the Predators a 3-1 lead.
With Luongo pulled for the extra attacker, the Predators held off the final push of the Canucks for a big 3-1 win. The win pushed the Predators to 76 points, within 8 of Western Conference leading Detroit and within 3 points of idle St. Louis.
Pekka Rinne was again solid in net. Perhaps his biggest save came in the second period as he dove across the net and deflected a shot from Aaron Rome with his blocker to keep the game 2-0 at that time. With the win, Rinne now leads the League with 33 victories.
The addition of Hal Gill showed how important the big defenseman will be to the Predators effort in the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs. Gill was matched up against Ryan Kessler's line and he continually frustrated Kessler with his physical presence. Kessler was held to 3 shots on goal, no points, and was a -1.
The Predators finished their season series with the Canucks 2-1-1.
This was a solid win by the Predators as they skated well and showed they can compete with one of the best teams in the West. Not only compete, but vanquish them.
The road ahead gets no easier for the Predators. Tough divisional opponent St. Louis is up next.
Play this kind of game, and you will vanquish them as well.
My three stars:
1. Mike Fisher
2. Pekka Rinne
3. Sergei Kostitsyn
Daunting?
No doubt.
Impossible?
No way.
The Predators faced a tall task in attempting to shut down the potent Canucks offense, and they would be relying on the solid play of netminder Pekka Rinne to backstop the effort. New Predator Hal Gill would be called on to play some solid minutes against the Canucks second line led by Ryan Kessler.
Both were outstanding.
Roberto Luongo was in net for the Canucks, and he came up with some big save against the Predators to keep the score respectable.
The first period was scoreless, but both teams created some good chances. The Canucks cycle game worked very well in the first period, and the first five minutes of the contest was spent in the Predators zone. The Predators weathered the attack and got their feet moving and started skating with the Canucks, generating some chances but, like the Canucks, were unable to capitalize on their opportunities.
The first period ended with the Canucks out shooting the Predators 12-11.
The fireworks started in the second period, and it was the Predators that capitalized first. With Henrik Sedin in the box for tripping, the Predators went to work on the power play. Ryan Suter found Mike Fisher alone at the side of the net and whipped a pass to him. Fisher took took whacks at the puck and got it to trickle over the goal line to give the Predators a 1-0 lead at 5:42 of the second period.
The Predators gave the Canucks an opportunity to get right back into the game, as Colin Wilson was in the box for hooking. The Predators PK once again was solid, killing the penalty.
Once again, the Predators PK unit was called upon to kill another penalty, as Francis Buillon was called for tripping at 12:29. The unit did more than kill the penalty as Mike Fisher got control of the puck at the Predators blue line. Fisher froze Sami Salo with a great move and started a 2 on 1 break with Sergei Kostitsyn. With Alex Edler back on defense, Fisher drove the net and sent a backhand saucer pass to a streaking Sergei Kostitsyn. Kostitsyn showed great eye hand coordination as he got the puck on his stick and one time a shot past a falling and flailing Luongo to make it 2-0 Predators at 13:16 of the second.
The Canucks would cut the lead to 2-1 at 16:52 of the second as Roman Josi had the puck along the boards but fell. He managed to slipped the puck to David Legwand, who also fell and turned the puck over to Dale Weise. Weise was able to walk in alone and roofed a backhand over Rinne's blocker for the score.
Late in the period, Canucks pest Alex Burrows boarded Shea Weber near the Predators bench. There was no call, and Weber responded by throwing Burrows to the ice. Burrows apparently failed to realize who he was facing, as he decided to drop the gloves with Weber. Weber quickly slammed Burrows to the ice without a punch being thrown. Frankly, Burrows is lucky that Weber didn't throw a punch.
If you are going to poke the bear, you had better have a pair.
Vancouver out shot the Predators 13-8 in the second, and went to the locker room trailing by one. Although the Predators had the lead, it was going to be a war in the third period, and it was critical that the Predators not sit back as they had done in the Dallas game in the third period. They would not survive the Canucks if they did so.
The third period was a back and forth affair, with both teams creating some very good chances. The majority of those went to the Predators, and Luongo made some good saves to keep the Predators off the board and the Canucks within one goal.
That would change at 17:09 as David Legwand would fire a wrist shot of a puck that was on edge and the shot cleanly beat Luongo over his shoulder to give the Predators a 3-1 lead.
With Luongo pulled for the extra attacker, the Predators held off the final push of the Canucks for a big 3-1 win. The win pushed the Predators to 76 points, within 8 of Western Conference leading Detroit and within 3 points of idle St. Louis.
Pekka Rinne was again solid in net. Perhaps his biggest save came in the second period as he dove across the net and deflected a shot from Aaron Rome with his blocker to keep the game 2-0 at that time. With the win, Rinne now leads the League with 33 victories.
The addition of Hal Gill showed how important the big defenseman will be to the Predators effort in the remainder of the regular season and the playoffs. Gill was matched up against Ryan Kessler's line and he continually frustrated Kessler with his physical presence. Kessler was held to 3 shots on goal, no points, and was a -1.
The Predators finished their season series with the Canucks 2-1-1.
This was a solid win by the Predators as they skated well and showed they can compete with one of the best teams in the West. Not only compete, but vanquish them.
The road ahead gets no easier for the Predators. Tough divisional opponent St. Louis is up next.
Play this kind of game, and you will vanquish them as well.
My three stars:
1. Mike Fisher
2. Pekka Rinne
3. Sergei Kostitsyn
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)