The Predators, for only the seventh time in their history, entered the hostile environment of GM place and skated away with a 3-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks. This was a huge win for the Predators as they established a great tone for a three game western Canada road swing, but more importantly, leapfrogged the Canucks to move into sole possession of sixth place in the Western Conference with 57 points, one better than the Canucks.
Early in the game, with David Legwand in the box for hooking, Joel Ward stole the puck and broke in on Roberto Luongo and beat him him glove side for the shorthanded goal and a 1-0 lead. This was his eighth goal of the season, and it certainly swung momentum for the Predators.Ward played a ton of quality minutes tonight, not only on the penalty kill but at even strength, and he is quietly putting together another solid season.
Alexandre Burrows tied the game at one as he beat Dan Hamhuis to the front of the crease on a defensive zone faceoff and put the puck past goaltender Dan Ellis at 16:42 of the period.
The Predators went back on the power play and made the Canucks pay for their on ice transgression. Cody Franson fired a shot from the face off circle that was tipped by David Legwand and then Ryan Jones to beat Luongo on the far post, and the Predators had once again seized momentum at the end of the period. This goal was the result of Jones being parked at the top of the crease, taking a beating to establish position, but his effort was rewarded with the power play marker. Predator hockey- doing the tough things necessary to score.
Alexandre Burrows struck again just 1:30 in to the second period by scoring his second goal of the night, this a power play goal. The score stood tied at 2 for the remainder of the period.
In the third, the teams traded scoring chances as both Ellis and Luongo made great stops to keep the score even. The tempo of this game was good, but really stepped up in the third. The positive aspect is that the Predators skated hard and generated chances. When this team skates like they are capable, they are dangerous and tough to play against.
Late in the period, the game turned in to a penalty fest, as first Ryan Jones was called for hooking at 15:11. Just four seconds in to the Canucks power play, Alexandre Burrows was called for interference. Eighteen seconds later, Henrik Sedin was called for tripping. The Predators had the four on three power play, and they made the Canucks pay as Shea Weber absolutely blew a shot past Louongo for the game winner. The Predators shut down the Canucks for the remainder of the game, with Ellis making some big saves, including an amazing save on a wraparound attempt.
For the game, Ellis was outstanding, stopping 30 of 32 shots, including some great scoring chances, for a .937 save percentage.
As improbable as it seems, the Predators came in to an hostile environment against a team that had been playing red hot hockey and left with the win. This is indicative of the potential of this team. They can play- and win- against the best teams in the NHL. This team is missing some key players in Arnott, Smithson, and Tootoo, yet they refused to yield to the injuries. They played Predator hockey.
It goes without saying that this is not the most talented team in the NHL. Not the fastest, not the leading goal scorers, not the headline grabbers. What this team has is heart and focus, a refusal to give in to conventional wisdom that they shouldn't be here. This is a group of guys that put on the sweater and believe in each other, and when they play with focus and drive like tonight, have a good chance of winning.
The formula for success is simple- grit, doing the dirty work to score, skate hard, and never back down. Tonight, you did that against one of the hottest teams in hockey and came away with the win. Bottle it up and bring it against Calgary. Skate away with another win.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Disjointed, Discombobulated, Predators Defeated by Ducks 3-2
Let's give the young pups for the Predators credit- they hustled and worked hard, but there was no chemistry tonight as the Predators fell to the Ducks 3-2. The Predators looked as if they were out of sync most of the night until the third period, when a valiant comeback fell short, and the Ducks skated away with their first road victory since December 22nd.
Down 3-0 on goals by Teemu Selanne, Matt Belesky, and Ryan Getzlaf, the Predators started the third period on the power play and quickly tallied as Patric Hornqvist continued his torrid goal scoring pace, notching his 17th goal :45 seconds into the period. Martin Erat scored off a deflection of a J.P. Dumont shot to cut the margin to 3-2 with three minutes left in the game. That was all the scoring and the Preds failed to make up any ground in the standings due to a lackluster effort.
Ben Guite said in remarks after the game that the Predators came out flat and didn't have energy until the third period. Okay, if this is a problem, I will buy this team a clock so they will know when the game begins. Guys, this is a sixty minute game, and playing 20 minutes of hockey is not going to get it.
Pekka Rinne got the start in net, and he is owed an apology by the defense. The first two goals the Predators gave up were due to defensive breakdowns. Shea Weber fell down in the corner trying to deliver a check and Selanne got open in the low slot to fire a puck over Rinne's shoulder.
The second goal from Belesky was a nice three on two tic tac toe passing exhibition as Belesky buried the shot off a nice assist from Ryan Getzlaf. Getzlaf stretched the lead to three goals with an unassisted wrister through traffic that beat Rinne on the short side of the net.
It was then that the Preds obtained the much needed sense of urgency. Going on the power play to start the third, Hornqvist quickly fired a wrister past Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller for his 11th goal in the last 13 games.
The Predators kept up the attack and had several good chances, but were unable to solve Hiller until there were three minutes left in the game. Erat deflected a shot by J.P. Dumont over Hillers's shoulder to cut the deficit to one, but the Predators couldn't put another shot past the Ducks netminder. They ended a four game home stand 2-2.
Coach Barry Trotz said after the game that the Predators played "nice" hockey and were back on their heels for much of the game. Frankly, nice doesn't cut it. This team needs to play to win instead of playing not to lose. This team needs to play with an edge. This team needs to play with a sense of desperation that has been lacking.
There were a number of new players inserted into the lineup due to injuries. So be it. Injuries are something that every team has to deal with during the course of the season. There was good hustle from Nick Spaling, Cal O'Reilly, and Andreas Thuresson. I don't fault the effort or the hustle. I fault the team for not sensing the importance of this game and having the drive and energy to bring it in their own barn.
I don't know what it takes to generate the sense of urgency that this team needs. The Western Conference race is too tight to coast through games. The points this team needs have to be obtained every time there is an opportunity. The Predators have to hit the ice every night with this sense of desperation and urgency.
No more "nice" games. No more coasting. Time to turn it up a notch, boys. Balls to the wall. These games are too important and the point too precious to be nice. Time to play with the end in mind- winning games, piling up points, and cementing a playoff position.
You're going to face adversity. Every team does. Injuries are a fact of life in this game. Every team deals with them. No one gives you sympathy. No one cares.
Disjointed, discombobulated efforts are unacceptable. No more waiting until the third period to start playing. Time to get that sense of urgency. Time to get a clock to let you know when the game starts.
Down 3-0 on goals by Teemu Selanne, Matt Belesky, and Ryan Getzlaf, the Predators started the third period on the power play and quickly tallied as Patric Hornqvist continued his torrid goal scoring pace, notching his 17th goal :45 seconds into the period. Martin Erat scored off a deflection of a J.P. Dumont shot to cut the margin to 3-2 with three minutes left in the game. That was all the scoring and the Preds failed to make up any ground in the standings due to a lackluster effort.
Ben Guite said in remarks after the game that the Predators came out flat and didn't have energy until the third period. Okay, if this is a problem, I will buy this team a clock so they will know when the game begins. Guys, this is a sixty minute game, and playing 20 minutes of hockey is not going to get it.
Pekka Rinne got the start in net, and he is owed an apology by the defense. The first two goals the Predators gave up were due to defensive breakdowns. Shea Weber fell down in the corner trying to deliver a check and Selanne got open in the low slot to fire a puck over Rinne's shoulder.
The second goal from Belesky was a nice three on two tic tac toe passing exhibition as Belesky buried the shot off a nice assist from Ryan Getzlaf. Getzlaf stretched the lead to three goals with an unassisted wrister through traffic that beat Rinne on the short side of the net.
It was then that the Preds obtained the much needed sense of urgency. Going on the power play to start the third, Hornqvist quickly fired a wrister past Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller for his 11th goal in the last 13 games.
The Predators kept up the attack and had several good chances, but were unable to solve Hiller until there were three minutes left in the game. Erat deflected a shot by J.P. Dumont over Hillers's shoulder to cut the deficit to one, but the Predators couldn't put another shot past the Ducks netminder. They ended a four game home stand 2-2.
Coach Barry Trotz said after the game that the Predators played "nice" hockey and were back on their heels for much of the game. Frankly, nice doesn't cut it. This team needs to play to win instead of playing not to lose. This team needs to play with an edge. This team needs to play with a sense of desperation that has been lacking.
There were a number of new players inserted into the lineup due to injuries. So be it. Injuries are something that every team has to deal with during the course of the season. There was good hustle from Nick Spaling, Cal O'Reilly, and Andreas Thuresson. I don't fault the effort or the hustle. I fault the team for not sensing the importance of this game and having the drive and energy to bring it in their own barn.
I don't know what it takes to generate the sense of urgency that this team needs. The Western Conference race is too tight to coast through games. The points this team needs have to be obtained every time there is an opportunity. The Predators have to hit the ice every night with this sense of desperation and urgency.
No more "nice" games. No more coasting. Time to turn it up a notch, boys. Balls to the wall. These games are too important and the point too precious to be nice. Time to play with the end in mind- winning games, piling up points, and cementing a playoff position.
You're going to face adversity. Every team does. Injuries are a fact of life in this game. Every team deals with them. No one gives you sympathy. No one cares.
Disjointed, discombobulated efforts are unacceptable. No more waiting until the third period to start playing. Time to get that sense of urgency. Time to get a clock to let you know when the game starts.
Friday, January 8, 2010
My View
Random thoughts from a warped and fevered mind...
Nigerian Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, he of the Fruit of the Boom exploding underwear and failed attempt at bring down an airliner, is a sign for us all. A warning sign that should be heeded. Try as we might as a nation, there are peoples and nations that despise our freedom, our lifestyle, and our way of life, and no amount of singing Kumbuya and trying to be friends will change that fact. This is an extremely dangerous world occupied by extremely dangerous, and yes, evil people that seek to do grave harm to innocents to make a statement about their beliefs. This world requires, no demands, recognition of that fact and commensurate preparation and vigilence to prevent this evil from carrying out its twisted plan. Contrary to what we have been told, the system did not work- unless the system is for passengers on every international flight to fend for their lives because of lax security. The sooner we honestly address the threats to our nation will be the first step toward increased safety for our citizens.
My wife wanted to go to one of those hotels with the rotating restaurant on top. I was too cheap to do that, so I took her to a merry-go-round and gave her a burrito.
Employers shed 85,000 additional jobs in December, and the stated unemployment rate is at 10%. The reality is that unemployment in this country is approximately 18% when you count in all those who have stopped drawing unemployment benefits and those who have stopped looking for work. Remember last year, the $781 biliion dollar stimulus package that was supposed to get the economy jumpstarted and people back to work? Nope, didn't happen, for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the gross amount of waste in that package that had nothing to do with jobs. Now there is talk of another stimulus package to create jobs. Good people, we cannot continue to have the waste and fraud in Washington without some dire consequences because of our profligate spending. These so called stimulus dollars will not create lasting employment. It's time to pay close attention to what is happening with the financial affairs of our country and demand resposible action and accountablity from our government.
I'm tired of following my dreams, so I'm just going to ask where they are going and hook up with them later.
Paul Swaney has a blog called Stadium Journey, an interesting look at sports venues all over the country, written by people that have been in the stadium or arena. The blog is focused on the fan experience- everything from food, to sight lines and acoustics as well as the neighborhood surrounding the site. If you are planning a trip to see the Predators in another arena or the Titans on the road (uh, ahem, next season), this is a great site to visit to learn about the arena and the the attractions in the surrounding area. The site is http://stadiumjourney.com/ and you will find LP Field and the Sommet Center reviews. You might even recognize the writer of those reviews.
Isn't every book a children's book if the kid can read?
And that, my friends, is my view.
*pithy quotes on this post from the late and great Mitch Hedburg
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Predators Chop Down Canes 4-2
It would be easy to overlook the Carolina Hurricanes if you were the Nashville Predators. An Eastern Conference opponent sandwiched in between Western Conference tilts. An opponent that frankly had been awful on the road. An opponent that was icing a depleted lineup. Yes, easy to overlook. And if not careful, an opponent that could do some damage to the Predators.
Carolina showed early on that they were here to play. Rod Brind'Amour gave the Canes a 1-0 lead at 2:52 of the first period when he slipped a rebound of a Jerome Sansom shot through Pekka Rinne's pads.
The first period then degenerated into a penalty fest as 14 minutes of penalties were assessed in the period. The Predators began to swing momentum their way as they killed off a Canes power play. With Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Suter in the box, Carolina looked to pad their lead and make the Predators climb out of another hole.Matt Cullen, however, was called for tripping Kevin Klein to negate the two man advantage, and the Predators were able to stave off the Canes while on the PK.
Just as Cullen was coming out of the box, J.P. Dumont skated in and fired a wrister five hole on Cam Ward for a short handed goal to tie the game, and the Predators had seized the momentum. Dumont skated hard tonight, and had a goal and an assist. A key player stepping up when the Predators needed it desperately.
With Cullen back in the box for another penalty, Patric Hornqvist corralled a rebound of a Shea Weber slap shot at the side of the net and knocked it in for his 15th goal of the year at 19:36 of the first. Hornqvist makes his living around the net, and tonight was a man around the crease, battling for position and pucks. Stepping up and doing the dirty work, the things that are necessary for this team to win games.
Hornqvist continued to assert himself, and at 18:50 of the second skated the puck out from behind the net and found Steve Sullivan alone in the low slot. Sullivan found the top right corner over Ward's glove, and the Predators capped off a solid second period with a two goal lead.
Hornqvist continued his strong play when J.P. Dumont found him alone in the slot and he blistered a shot past Ward at 11:16 of the third for his 16th goal. For the game, Hornqvist had 20:00 of ice time, two goals, an assist, and six PIM's. Tonight, Hornqvist dominated the ice and played a stellar game. He stepped up when the team needed someone to step up.
Carolina cut the margin to 4-2 with a shorthanded goal by Tom Kostopolous at 12:03 of the third, but never mounted a serious threat after that as the defense clamped down on the Canes and Pekka Rinne cleaned up any scoring chances.
There was a scary moment for the Predators and for Steve Sullivan as he was boarded by Andrew Alberts at 11:03 of the third. Sullivan lay motionless on the ice for several minutes and was assisted off the ice by the training staff and escorted to the locker room. He appeared to injure his shoulder, and x-rays were being taken. Head Coach Barry Trotz said after the game that it did not appear to be very serious, but that Sully would probably miss at least the Anaheim game on Saturday.
This was the kind of game that could have easily been a devastating loss for the Predators. Key players out of the lineup; rookies being plugged in to critical roles; an early deficit. This team fought and won an important victory. Players stepped up and put the team on their back. Players that needed to step up did just that. This team played Predator hockey and put another win in the books.
This game was not pretty or well played by any stretch. The Predators were very sloppy at times. There were defensive breakdowns. Pekka Rinne had to bail out the team on several occasions. Play this way against a healthy opponent and the outcome will be different. Play has to improve for this team to win against the opponents they will face in the next few days on their schedule.
The aspect of this game that this team can build upon is the fact that with a depleted lineup, they still played winning hockey. They fought and battled. They overcame a deficit, numerous penalties, and sometimes erratic play.
Every team goes through a stretch where the hockey is a grind, where the games pile up and they face adversity. This was one of those games. There will be more. They showed the heart, the drive, the determination to win a game they could have easily lost.
The battles continue, the grind gets no easier. This is the nature of this beautiful game. This is the opportunity for a player, and a team, to show their character and fight for the win. Time to keep fighting. time to chop down another opponent.
Carolina showed early on that they were here to play. Rod Brind'Amour gave the Canes a 1-0 lead at 2:52 of the first period when he slipped a rebound of a Jerome Sansom shot through Pekka Rinne's pads.
The first period then degenerated into a penalty fest as 14 minutes of penalties were assessed in the period. The Predators began to swing momentum their way as they killed off a Canes power play. With Patric Hornqvist and Ryan Suter in the box, Carolina looked to pad their lead and make the Predators climb out of another hole.Matt Cullen, however, was called for tripping Kevin Klein to negate the two man advantage, and the Predators were able to stave off the Canes while on the PK.
Just as Cullen was coming out of the box, J.P. Dumont skated in and fired a wrister five hole on Cam Ward for a short handed goal to tie the game, and the Predators had seized the momentum. Dumont skated hard tonight, and had a goal and an assist. A key player stepping up when the Predators needed it desperately.
With Cullen back in the box for another penalty, Patric Hornqvist corralled a rebound of a Shea Weber slap shot at the side of the net and knocked it in for his 15th goal of the year at 19:36 of the first. Hornqvist makes his living around the net, and tonight was a man around the crease, battling for position and pucks. Stepping up and doing the dirty work, the things that are necessary for this team to win games.
Hornqvist continued to assert himself, and at 18:50 of the second skated the puck out from behind the net and found Steve Sullivan alone in the low slot. Sullivan found the top right corner over Ward's glove, and the Predators capped off a solid second period with a two goal lead.
Hornqvist continued his strong play when J.P. Dumont found him alone in the slot and he blistered a shot past Ward at 11:16 of the third for his 16th goal. For the game, Hornqvist had 20:00 of ice time, two goals, an assist, and six PIM's. Tonight, Hornqvist dominated the ice and played a stellar game. He stepped up when the team needed someone to step up.
Carolina cut the margin to 4-2 with a shorthanded goal by Tom Kostopolous at 12:03 of the third, but never mounted a serious threat after that as the defense clamped down on the Canes and Pekka Rinne cleaned up any scoring chances.
There was a scary moment for the Predators and for Steve Sullivan as he was boarded by Andrew Alberts at 11:03 of the third. Sullivan lay motionless on the ice for several minutes and was assisted off the ice by the training staff and escorted to the locker room. He appeared to injure his shoulder, and x-rays were being taken. Head Coach Barry Trotz said after the game that it did not appear to be very serious, but that Sully would probably miss at least the Anaheim game on Saturday.
This was the kind of game that could have easily been a devastating loss for the Predators. Key players out of the lineup; rookies being plugged in to critical roles; an early deficit. This team fought and won an important victory. Players stepped up and put the team on their back. Players that needed to step up did just that. This team played Predator hockey and put another win in the books.
This game was not pretty or well played by any stretch. The Predators were very sloppy at times. There were defensive breakdowns. Pekka Rinne had to bail out the team on several occasions. Play this way against a healthy opponent and the outcome will be different. Play has to improve for this team to win against the opponents they will face in the next few days on their schedule.
The aspect of this game that this team can build upon is the fact that with a depleted lineup, they still played winning hockey. They fought and battled. They overcame a deficit, numerous penalties, and sometimes erratic play.
Every team goes through a stretch where the hockey is a grind, where the games pile up and they face adversity. This was one of those games. There will be more. They showed the heart, the drive, the determination to win a game they could have easily lost.
The battles continue, the grind gets no easier. This is the nature of this beautiful game. This is the opportunity for a player, and a team, to show their character and fight for the win. Time to keep fighting. time to chop down another opponent.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Missing Two D's Leads to D for Predators
Head Coach Barry Trotz said the Predators were missing two D's in their 3-1 loss to the Calgary Flames. Determination and desperation. Lacking those traits in their game lead to a "D" -defeat- for the Predators, snapping a three game winning streak and extending their home losing streak to the Flames to four games.
Give the Flames their due. They check and take away space. They make it difficult to enter the offensive zone. They can control the puck in their offensive zone, making the opponent work just to clear the zone. And they played this game to perfection tonight.
David Moss opened the scoring for the Flames after a scoreless first period, knocking in a puck in a goal mouth scramble past a sprawled Dan Eliis, who got the start in net for the Predators. It appeard that the puck had been covered, but it was laying in the blue ice when Moss found it and slapped it in to an open net.
That scored stood until :17 second remained in the second period when Ollie Jokinen corraled a big rebound given up by Ellis and knocked the puck into a practically open net. This goal was a back breaker for the Preds and created a deficit that they couldn't overcome.
The Predators tallied on their third power play of the night when Patric Hornqvist walked the puck out of the corner and waited until Miika Kiprusoff went down to the ice. Hornqvist roofed the shot for the score, and with five minutes remaining, the Predators had life.
That was snuffed out in the final minute when Daymond Langkow scored an empty netter, and the battle between the two teams tied for fifth in the Western Conference went the Flames way.
Calgary played an excellent road game: they were aggressive on the forecheck and kept the Predators bottled up for stretches at a time in their own zone. They limited quality offensive chances. And Kiprusoff was solid in goal. Unfortunately, the Predators couldn't meet the challenge tonight.
This was a test for the Predators, and they failed. They needed more determination. They needed more desperation, especially earlier in the game when it was in the balance. And they needed their best players to be their best players. Tonight, they were not.
It is imperative that the Predators get production from their top line. Tonight the top line was invisible. This team will not win on a consistent basis if Jason Arnott, Steve Sullivan, and J.P. Dumont do not generate quality scoring chances and pot some goals. Tonight, this line was not determined or desperate.
It goes without saying that for the Predators to climb in the standings, they have to play Predator hockey. Hockey that is characterized by drive, determination, and yes, desperation. There was a glimpse of that tonight in the third period when they were down 2-0. Show that determination and desperation before you are in a hole, boys.
Determination. Driving the net. Beating the forecheck. Being strong on the puck. Desperation. Refusing to fall behind. Knowing that these are the type of games that steel you for the playoffs. Absolutely not allowing your opponent to dictate play. Traits of a winning hockey club. Absent tonight.
Time to re-focus. Time to determine that you will put your best effort on the ice every night. Play with desperation and dertermination. And you will not have to deal with defeat.
Give the Flames their due. They check and take away space. They make it difficult to enter the offensive zone. They can control the puck in their offensive zone, making the opponent work just to clear the zone. And they played this game to perfection tonight.
David Moss opened the scoring for the Flames after a scoreless first period, knocking in a puck in a goal mouth scramble past a sprawled Dan Eliis, who got the start in net for the Predators. It appeard that the puck had been covered, but it was laying in the blue ice when Moss found it and slapped it in to an open net.
That scored stood until :17 second remained in the second period when Ollie Jokinen corraled a big rebound given up by Ellis and knocked the puck into a practically open net. This goal was a back breaker for the Preds and created a deficit that they couldn't overcome.
The Predators tallied on their third power play of the night when Patric Hornqvist walked the puck out of the corner and waited until Miika Kiprusoff went down to the ice. Hornqvist roofed the shot for the score, and with five minutes remaining, the Predators had life.
That was snuffed out in the final minute when Daymond Langkow scored an empty netter, and the battle between the two teams tied for fifth in the Western Conference went the Flames way.
Calgary played an excellent road game: they were aggressive on the forecheck and kept the Predators bottled up for stretches at a time in their own zone. They limited quality offensive chances. And Kiprusoff was solid in goal. Unfortunately, the Predators couldn't meet the challenge tonight.
This was a test for the Predators, and they failed. They needed more determination. They needed more desperation, especially earlier in the game when it was in the balance. And they needed their best players to be their best players. Tonight, they were not.
It is imperative that the Predators get production from their top line. Tonight the top line was invisible. This team will not win on a consistent basis if Jason Arnott, Steve Sullivan, and J.P. Dumont do not generate quality scoring chances and pot some goals. Tonight, this line was not determined or desperate.
It goes without saying that for the Predators to climb in the standings, they have to play Predator hockey. Hockey that is characterized by drive, determination, and yes, desperation. There was a glimpse of that tonight in the third period when they were down 2-0. Show that determination and desperation before you are in a hole, boys.
Determination. Driving the net. Beating the forecheck. Being strong on the puck. Desperation. Refusing to fall behind. Knowing that these are the type of games that steel you for the playoffs. Absolutely not allowing your opponent to dictate play. Traits of a winning hockey club. Absent tonight.
Time to re-focus. Time to determine that you will put your best effort on the ice every night. Play with desperation and dertermination. And you will not have to deal with defeat.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Predators Mid Season Report Card
At the mid point of the season, the Nashville Predators have a 25-14-3 record, good for 53 points and tied with Calgary for fifth in the Western Conference. After opening the season with a 12-8-1 mark and tenth place in the conference, the Predators have improved over the next 21 games to 13-6-2 and have played themselves into the thick of the playoff race.
Once again, let's look at the components of this team and the individual player performance to see what has changed for this team:
Coaching
It goes without saying that Head Coach Barry Trotz and his staff get the most out of the talent that they have put on the ice every night. Trotz attributed the turnaround in play to the simple fact that this team started to play like they are, not who they wanted to be.Translation: this is a blue collar team that will never win games with flash. They will win by playing sound, fundamental hockey and doing what Trotz call the "dirty work" to score goals- shoot the puck, go to the hard areas in front of the crease, and win the puck battles. This team has bought in to the message that the coaches have been preaching, and the results have been to pile up wins and points.
Grade: A
Goaltending
Pekka Rinne is still the putative number one goalie, and has a 16-7-2 record with a .906 save percentage and a 2.74 GAA. Pekka has been solid but not spectacular in his sophomore season, showing flashes of brilliance but also letting in the occasional stoppable goal. Dan Ellis, 9-7-1 with a .908 save percentage and a 2.79 GAA has been a very capable backup. Ellis provides the Predators with quality starts, and the team know that it can win when he is in net. With the compressed schedule due to the Olympics, it is going to be imperative that Ellis continue to provide sound goaltending.
Grade: B
Defense
Shea Weber and Ryan Suter are outstanding as the number one defense pairing. Both are sound in the defensive zone and move the puck well and log time on the first PP unit. Dam Hamhuis and Kevin Klein have righted their game after a horrific start to the season and both appear to be playing with a greater comfort level and confidence with each other in the second pairing. Francis Buillon continues to log solid minutes and is a stabilizing presence with his partner, rookie Cody Franson. Franson has settled in as the sixth D man and has played good hockey once he became a starter. Alexander Sulzer has split time between Nashville and Milwaukee, and shows promise, but has been unable to stick with the Predators. Outside of the first pairing of Weber and Suter, this group has begun to play to their potential, but they are not there yet.
Grade: B
Forwards
This is the group that has shown the most improvement over the last 21 games. Specifically, the contributions of Martin Erat and David Legwand have picked up noticeably. Erat has discovered his scoring touch and is an offensive threat. Legwand has started to score, although he still show an annoying habit of passing up shots. Top forwards Jason Arnott, Steve Sullivan, and J.P. Dumont have tremendous talent but have a habit of disappearing for stretches of games. Arnott, for instance, scored his first goal in ten games in game 42. For the predators to continue to have success, these players have to produce more consistently.
The pleasant surprise for this team has been the scoring of secondary players. Marcel Goc has tied his career high in goals for a season (8); Jerred Smithson has scored a career high in goals (6); and Patric Hornqvist has set a career high in goals (13). Additionally, contributions are coming from other third and fourth line players, and this balanced scoring has resulted in an increase in goals per game from 2.28 in the first 21 games to 3.04 in the next 21 games.
Grade: B+
Overall team grade: B
Now it's time to take a look at the individual players.
Martin Erat (14G 13A 37 GP)
After a tremendously slow start, Marty has caught fire and has been showing the offensive prowess that was expected of him. He had ten goals in a 13 game span, and these came from using his speed, driving the net, and shooting the puck. These qualities were absent from his game early in the season. He has embraced his role as an offensive leader, and his productivity improved significantly when moved to the top line with Jason Arnott and Steve Sullivan.
Grade: B+
Jason Arnott (12G 14A 35 GP)
The captain possesses a wicked shot that he needs to uncork more often. Arnott has been a streaky scorer, showing the ability to get goals in bunches, but also showing the frustrating habit of disappearing for stretches of games. He recently snapped a ten game goal drought, and this team needs him to be much more consistent. A solid presence in the locker room and on the ice.
Grade: C+
J.P. Dumont (7G 19A 35 GP)
J.P. possesses great hands and good vision on the ice, and has the ability to be a consistent scorer. Unfortunately, J.P. needs to get better at finishing a play. He has been dropped down to the third line, which is reflective of the spotty nature of his play. He has great offensive skills, but has been unable to consistently become an offensive force for the team.
Grade: C-
David Legwand (10G 16A 42 GP)
David most always draws the shutdown role opposite of the the opponent's top line, and he has done a masterful job in this role. His offensive game was absent in the first quarter of the season, but in the second quarter, David began to drive the net and shoot the puck, and he has been rewarded for this type of play. At the end of the first quarter of play, he had 3 goals and 7 assists, so the offensive component of his game has improved. David still needs to shoot the puck more, and he has far too often passed up open shots in favor of the pass. His offensive game needs to continue to improve, but his production in the second quarter of the season has been welcome.
Grade: B-
Steve Sullivan (9G 16A 42 GP)
The good news for Predator fans is that Sullivan is showing great durability and no loss of speed from his back injury. The not so good news is that Sully is not the point per game producer that he was prior to that injury. Sullivan still has great offensive skills, but like Jason Arnott, has a tendency to disappear at times on the offensive end of the ice and can be streaky.
Grade: C+
Joel Ward (7G 15 A 40 GP)
Ward had 35 points in his rookie campaign last season and is and is on pace to surpass that mark. Ward does the dirty work for the line on which he plays- battling in front of the net and on the boards. Ward has scored the majority of his goals in the area around the crease where he uses his big body to get position. Solid on the PK, he logs a lot of quality minutes and plays his role well.
Grade: A-
Patric Hornqvist (13G 9A 41 GP)
Hornqvist has emerged as a force in front of the net for this team, especially on the power play. He often draws the attention and ire of the opponent's defenders as he screens the goaltender. He has good hands around the net and the majority of his scoring has come on tip ins and rebounds. After a season split between Milwaukee and Nashville last year, he has matured nicely and has shown that he can handle the rigors of a full NHL season.
Grade: A
Marcel Goc (8G 8A 40 GP)
Goc has been a very pleasant surprise for the Predators as he has capably handled the third line center responsibilities as well as excelling in the face off circle. He also plays as one of the penalty killing forwards. Goc has also tied his career high in goals that was set in his rookie season with San Jose with eight goals. His responsible defensive play has made the coaches confident enough to play him in any situation.
Grade: A
Jordin Tootoo (2G 7A 19 GP)
When Tootoo has been on the ice, he has been very effective. He has played very responsible hockey and has been much improved in the offensive zone. Unfortunately, Tootoo has battled injuries all season, the latest being a broken bone in his foot suffered when he was hit with a Shea Weber slap shot. He needs to get in the line up consistently in order to continue to develop his game. His grade reflects his lack of playing time.
Grade: B-
Jerred Smithson (6G 1A 37 GP)
Smithson has already set a career high in goals, which has been a very welcome addition to his game. He has always been strong in a shutdown role and on the PK; getting the offensive production from Smithers has been a bonus for this team. Watching him play this season, I am impressed with his confidence in his offensive game. He is currently out due to a broken hand he suffered in blocking a shot.
Grade: A
Ryan Jones (4G 1A 23 GP)
After starting the season in Nashville, Jonesy was sent down to Milwaukee to work on his game. After his call up, he has played some good hockey for the Predators. At one point, he scored a goal in four consecutive games, and those goals were in the hard areas in front of the net. Jones has a big body that he uses well for positioning in front of the net and battling on the boards. His game is continuing to develop, and I would expect him to follow a path similar to Hornqvist as he matures. He has to become more consistent in the offensive end.
Grade: C
Mike Santorelli (2G 1A 23 GP)
Santorelli has shuttled back and forth between Nashville and Milwaukee, and while showing potential, has not achieved a consistent level of play. I believe that he has the ability to play at the NHL level, but it is going to be a matter of making the most of his opportunities.
Grade: C
Andreas Thuresson (1G 2A 15 GP)
Called up due to injuries to several forwards, Thuresson has given the Predators quality minutes. Not afraid to throw his body around, he is tough on the boards and in the corners and will go to the front of the net. A young player that is playing with tremendous hustle, he must continue to adapt his game to the NHL level. Seasoning with the Predators will be important to his development.
Grade: B
Wade Belak (0G 2A 23 GP)
Belak has assumed the role of the enforcer for the Predators as Jordin Tootoo has continued to grow into a complete hockey player, and Belak is capable in that role. Unfortunately for Beeks, that role has diminished this season. Consequently, he sees fourth line action and limited minutes on the ice, and that is not expected to change over the course of the season.
Grade: C
Dave Scatchard (2G 3A 16 GP)
Scatchard has spent time both in Nashville and Milwaukee. When Arnott was out for several games, Scatchard was called up and, while not much an offensive threat, played solid minutes for the Predators. He is a seasoned veteran who can plug in at center or wing. Currently in Milwaukee.
Grade: C
Shea Weber (7G 16A 40 GP +3)
Weber continues his solid play in the defensive zone and he has the ability to shut down the opposing team's forwards with his physical and smart play. He has an edge and has shown a willingness to drop the gloves when provoked. When goaded by Ryan Kessler in a recent game against Vancouver, Weber pummeled the hapless Canuck forward. His hard shot is deadly from the point. The criticism of his shot would be that he he needs to get the puck on net with greater accuracy. Weber is only 24 and should become a truly dominant defenseman in the league.
Grade: A
Ryan Suter (2G 18A 42 GP +7)
The other half of the number one D pairing, Suter has quietly grown into the role of a number one defenseman. He has gotten physically stronger to go with his hockey sense. Suter is solid, and rarely does he make a mistake in the defensive zone. He has a sneaky hard shot from the point that is very accurate, and his shots have set up numerous scoring opportunities for the forwards. Suter is a steady presence on the blue line and he has great vision, which allows him to effectively move the puck.
Grade: A
Dan Hamhuis (4G 8A 38 GP +6)
Hamhuis had a horrific start to the season, and finished the first 21 games at -4. He has steadied his game and started to play like many thought he was capable. Hammer has become more physical in his play, and by doing so, it has settled his total game down. He has been able to chip in with some timely goals as well. The most frustrating aspect of his game is the ill timed turnover that often leads to great scoring chances for the opponent. Unfortunately, this seems to happen about once a game.
Grade: C-
Kevin Klein (1G 7A 41 GP -4)
Klein, like his defense partner Hamhuis, struggled in the first quarter of the season. Although his play has improved slightly, he has still been erratic. The frustrating part of this is that Klein has the potential to be a solid NHL D-man. The fact remains that he is going to be one of the top 6 blueliners for the Predators and his play has to improve.
Grade: D+
Francis Buillon (1G 5A 42 GP -4)
Buillon continues to be steady on the blue line, his -4 notwithstanding. That is more of a reflection of his D pairing than of his play. He is physically strong and unafraid to tangle with bigger opponents. He moves the puck well and is rarely caught out of position. He has often be paired with rookie Cody Franson, and his veteran presence has benefited the younger player.
Grade: B+
Cody Franson (3G 8A 31 GP +8)
Franson solidified his spot as the number six D man and has played well in that role. He is a big physical presence and uses his size well. As he has logged more games, he has grown more confident in his game. He has a good shot from the blue line and moves the puck well. Franson has the potential to be a very good NHL blueliner.
Grade: B+
Pekka Rinne (16-7-2 .906 Save % 2.74 GAA)
Pekka has shown flashes of the form that made him an top flight rookie last year, and he is a goalie that this team can ride to the playoffs. He has to become more consistent, as he has had a tendency to let in the occasional soft goal. Pekka is a competitor and thrives on the challenge of being a number one goalie. The more he plays, the stronger he gets, and I would look for him to get the majority of the starts in the second half of the season.
Grade: B+
Dan Ellis (9-7-1 .908 Save % 2.79 GAA)
Dan is a capable back up that can provide quality starts. He is fundamentally sound, but has been prone to letting in stoppable goals. Dan will be called upon for some key starts due to the compressed schedule with the upcoming Olympics, and as Head Coach Barry Trotz has stated, the team knows it can win with Dan in net.
Grade: B
Incomplete Grades
Nick Spaling, Alexander Sulzer. Both have spent limited time with the Predators, but not enough to earn a grade. Both have potential, but it is too early to render a decision on their performance at the NHL level.
The turning point for this team came with a realization that they were lunch pail guys, players that had to shoot the puck and crash the crease to score. Players that had to win puck battles. Players that had to play sound defense and get solid goaltending.
Continued success for the Predators will come from adhering to this style of play.
Pretty. No. Winning hockey. Absolutely.
The Predators enter the second half of the season with a better record than the pundits thought possible. They find themselves in the thick of the playoff race. Keep improving, keep on playing your style of blue collar, winning hockey and the playoffs await. And the pundits will continue to be wrong about this team.
Once again, let's look at the components of this team and the individual player performance to see what has changed for this team:
Coaching
It goes without saying that Head Coach Barry Trotz and his staff get the most out of the talent that they have put on the ice every night. Trotz attributed the turnaround in play to the simple fact that this team started to play like they are, not who they wanted to be.Translation: this is a blue collar team that will never win games with flash. They will win by playing sound, fundamental hockey and doing what Trotz call the "dirty work" to score goals- shoot the puck, go to the hard areas in front of the crease, and win the puck battles. This team has bought in to the message that the coaches have been preaching, and the results have been to pile up wins and points.
Grade: A
Goaltending
Pekka Rinne is still the putative number one goalie, and has a 16-7-2 record with a .906 save percentage and a 2.74 GAA. Pekka has been solid but not spectacular in his sophomore season, showing flashes of brilliance but also letting in the occasional stoppable goal. Dan Ellis, 9-7-1 with a .908 save percentage and a 2.79 GAA has been a very capable backup. Ellis provides the Predators with quality starts, and the team know that it can win when he is in net. With the compressed schedule due to the Olympics, it is going to be imperative that Ellis continue to provide sound goaltending.
Grade: B
Defense
Shea Weber and Ryan Suter are outstanding as the number one defense pairing. Both are sound in the defensive zone and move the puck well and log time on the first PP unit. Dam Hamhuis and Kevin Klein have righted their game after a horrific start to the season and both appear to be playing with a greater comfort level and confidence with each other in the second pairing. Francis Buillon continues to log solid minutes and is a stabilizing presence with his partner, rookie Cody Franson. Franson has settled in as the sixth D man and has played good hockey once he became a starter. Alexander Sulzer has split time between Nashville and Milwaukee, and shows promise, but has been unable to stick with the Predators. Outside of the first pairing of Weber and Suter, this group has begun to play to their potential, but they are not there yet.
Grade: B
Forwards
This is the group that has shown the most improvement over the last 21 games. Specifically, the contributions of Martin Erat and David Legwand have picked up noticeably. Erat has discovered his scoring touch and is an offensive threat. Legwand has started to score, although he still show an annoying habit of passing up shots. Top forwards Jason Arnott, Steve Sullivan, and J.P. Dumont have tremendous talent but have a habit of disappearing for stretches of games. Arnott, for instance, scored his first goal in ten games in game 42. For the predators to continue to have success, these players have to produce more consistently.
The pleasant surprise for this team has been the scoring of secondary players. Marcel Goc has tied his career high in goals for a season (8); Jerred Smithson has scored a career high in goals (6); and Patric Hornqvist has set a career high in goals (13). Additionally, contributions are coming from other third and fourth line players, and this balanced scoring has resulted in an increase in goals per game from 2.28 in the first 21 games to 3.04 in the next 21 games.
Grade: B+
Overall team grade: B
Now it's time to take a look at the individual players.
Martin Erat (14G 13A 37 GP)
After a tremendously slow start, Marty has caught fire and has been showing the offensive prowess that was expected of him. He had ten goals in a 13 game span, and these came from using his speed, driving the net, and shooting the puck. These qualities were absent from his game early in the season. He has embraced his role as an offensive leader, and his productivity improved significantly when moved to the top line with Jason Arnott and Steve Sullivan.
Grade: B+
Jason Arnott (12G 14A 35 GP)
The captain possesses a wicked shot that he needs to uncork more often. Arnott has been a streaky scorer, showing the ability to get goals in bunches, but also showing the frustrating habit of disappearing for stretches of games. He recently snapped a ten game goal drought, and this team needs him to be much more consistent. A solid presence in the locker room and on the ice.
Grade: C+
J.P. Dumont (7G 19A 35 GP)
J.P. possesses great hands and good vision on the ice, and has the ability to be a consistent scorer. Unfortunately, J.P. needs to get better at finishing a play. He has been dropped down to the third line, which is reflective of the spotty nature of his play. He has great offensive skills, but has been unable to consistently become an offensive force for the team.
Grade: C-
David Legwand (10G 16A 42 GP)
David most always draws the shutdown role opposite of the the opponent's top line, and he has done a masterful job in this role. His offensive game was absent in the first quarter of the season, but in the second quarter, David began to drive the net and shoot the puck, and he has been rewarded for this type of play. At the end of the first quarter of play, he had 3 goals and 7 assists, so the offensive component of his game has improved. David still needs to shoot the puck more, and he has far too often passed up open shots in favor of the pass. His offensive game needs to continue to improve, but his production in the second quarter of the season has been welcome.
Grade: B-
Steve Sullivan (9G 16A 42 GP)
The good news for Predator fans is that Sullivan is showing great durability and no loss of speed from his back injury. The not so good news is that Sully is not the point per game producer that he was prior to that injury. Sullivan still has great offensive skills, but like Jason Arnott, has a tendency to disappear at times on the offensive end of the ice and can be streaky.
Grade: C+
Joel Ward (7G 15 A 40 GP)
Ward had 35 points in his rookie campaign last season and is and is on pace to surpass that mark. Ward does the dirty work for the line on which he plays- battling in front of the net and on the boards. Ward has scored the majority of his goals in the area around the crease where he uses his big body to get position. Solid on the PK, he logs a lot of quality minutes and plays his role well.
Grade: A-
Patric Hornqvist (13G 9A 41 GP)
Hornqvist has emerged as a force in front of the net for this team, especially on the power play. He often draws the attention and ire of the opponent's defenders as he screens the goaltender. He has good hands around the net and the majority of his scoring has come on tip ins and rebounds. After a season split between Milwaukee and Nashville last year, he has matured nicely and has shown that he can handle the rigors of a full NHL season.
Grade: A
Marcel Goc (8G 8A 40 GP)
Goc has been a very pleasant surprise for the Predators as he has capably handled the third line center responsibilities as well as excelling in the face off circle. He also plays as one of the penalty killing forwards. Goc has also tied his career high in goals that was set in his rookie season with San Jose with eight goals. His responsible defensive play has made the coaches confident enough to play him in any situation.
Grade: A
Jordin Tootoo (2G 7A 19 GP)
When Tootoo has been on the ice, he has been very effective. He has played very responsible hockey and has been much improved in the offensive zone. Unfortunately, Tootoo has battled injuries all season, the latest being a broken bone in his foot suffered when he was hit with a Shea Weber slap shot. He needs to get in the line up consistently in order to continue to develop his game. His grade reflects his lack of playing time.
Grade: B-
Jerred Smithson (6G 1A 37 GP)
Smithson has already set a career high in goals, which has been a very welcome addition to his game. He has always been strong in a shutdown role and on the PK; getting the offensive production from Smithers has been a bonus for this team. Watching him play this season, I am impressed with his confidence in his offensive game. He is currently out due to a broken hand he suffered in blocking a shot.
Grade: A
Ryan Jones (4G 1A 23 GP)
After starting the season in Nashville, Jonesy was sent down to Milwaukee to work on his game. After his call up, he has played some good hockey for the Predators. At one point, he scored a goal in four consecutive games, and those goals were in the hard areas in front of the net. Jones has a big body that he uses well for positioning in front of the net and battling on the boards. His game is continuing to develop, and I would expect him to follow a path similar to Hornqvist as he matures. He has to become more consistent in the offensive end.
Grade: C
Mike Santorelli (2G 1A 23 GP)
Santorelli has shuttled back and forth between Nashville and Milwaukee, and while showing potential, has not achieved a consistent level of play. I believe that he has the ability to play at the NHL level, but it is going to be a matter of making the most of his opportunities.
Grade: C
Andreas Thuresson (1G 2A 15 GP)
Called up due to injuries to several forwards, Thuresson has given the Predators quality minutes. Not afraid to throw his body around, he is tough on the boards and in the corners and will go to the front of the net. A young player that is playing with tremendous hustle, he must continue to adapt his game to the NHL level. Seasoning with the Predators will be important to his development.
Grade: B
Wade Belak (0G 2A 23 GP)
Belak has assumed the role of the enforcer for the Predators as Jordin Tootoo has continued to grow into a complete hockey player, and Belak is capable in that role. Unfortunately for Beeks, that role has diminished this season. Consequently, he sees fourth line action and limited minutes on the ice, and that is not expected to change over the course of the season.
Grade: C
Dave Scatchard (2G 3A 16 GP)
Scatchard has spent time both in Nashville and Milwaukee. When Arnott was out for several games, Scatchard was called up and, while not much an offensive threat, played solid minutes for the Predators. He is a seasoned veteran who can plug in at center or wing. Currently in Milwaukee.
Grade: C
Shea Weber (7G 16A 40 GP +3)
Weber continues his solid play in the defensive zone and he has the ability to shut down the opposing team's forwards with his physical and smart play. He has an edge and has shown a willingness to drop the gloves when provoked. When goaded by Ryan Kessler in a recent game against Vancouver, Weber pummeled the hapless Canuck forward. His hard shot is deadly from the point. The criticism of his shot would be that he he needs to get the puck on net with greater accuracy. Weber is only 24 and should become a truly dominant defenseman in the league.
Grade: A
Ryan Suter (2G 18A 42 GP +7)
The other half of the number one D pairing, Suter has quietly grown into the role of a number one defenseman. He has gotten physically stronger to go with his hockey sense. Suter is solid, and rarely does he make a mistake in the defensive zone. He has a sneaky hard shot from the point that is very accurate, and his shots have set up numerous scoring opportunities for the forwards. Suter is a steady presence on the blue line and he has great vision, which allows him to effectively move the puck.
Grade: A
Dan Hamhuis (4G 8A 38 GP +6)
Hamhuis had a horrific start to the season, and finished the first 21 games at -4. He has steadied his game and started to play like many thought he was capable. Hammer has become more physical in his play, and by doing so, it has settled his total game down. He has been able to chip in with some timely goals as well. The most frustrating aspect of his game is the ill timed turnover that often leads to great scoring chances for the opponent. Unfortunately, this seems to happen about once a game.
Grade: C-
Kevin Klein (1G 7A 41 GP -4)
Klein, like his defense partner Hamhuis, struggled in the first quarter of the season. Although his play has improved slightly, he has still been erratic. The frustrating part of this is that Klein has the potential to be a solid NHL D-man. The fact remains that he is going to be one of the top 6 blueliners for the Predators and his play has to improve.
Grade: D+
Francis Buillon (1G 5A 42 GP -4)
Buillon continues to be steady on the blue line, his -4 notwithstanding. That is more of a reflection of his D pairing than of his play. He is physically strong and unafraid to tangle with bigger opponents. He moves the puck well and is rarely caught out of position. He has often be paired with rookie Cody Franson, and his veteran presence has benefited the younger player.
Grade: B+
Cody Franson (3G 8A 31 GP +8)
Franson solidified his spot as the number six D man and has played well in that role. He is a big physical presence and uses his size well. As he has logged more games, he has grown more confident in his game. He has a good shot from the blue line and moves the puck well. Franson has the potential to be a very good NHL blueliner.
Grade: B+
Pekka Rinne (16-7-2 .906 Save % 2.74 GAA)
Pekka has shown flashes of the form that made him an top flight rookie last year, and he is a goalie that this team can ride to the playoffs. He has to become more consistent, as he has had a tendency to let in the occasional soft goal. Pekka is a competitor and thrives on the challenge of being a number one goalie. The more he plays, the stronger he gets, and I would look for him to get the majority of the starts in the second half of the season.
Grade: B+
Dan Ellis (9-7-1 .908 Save % 2.79 GAA)
Dan is a capable back up that can provide quality starts. He is fundamentally sound, but has been prone to letting in stoppable goals. Dan will be called upon for some key starts due to the compressed schedule with the upcoming Olympics, and as Head Coach Barry Trotz has stated, the team knows it can win with Dan in net.
Grade: B
Incomplete Grades
Nick Spaling, Alexander Sulzer. Both have spent limited time with the Predators, but not enough to earn a grade. Both have potential, but it is too early to render a decision on their performance at the NHL level.
The turning point for this team came with a realization that they were lunch pail guys, players that had to shoot the puck and crash the crease to score. Players that had to win puck battles. Players that had to play sound defense and get solid goaltending.
Continued success for the Predators will come from adhering to this style of play.
Pretty. No. Winning hockey. Absolutely.
The Predators enter the second half of the season with a better record than the pundits thought possible. They find themselves in the thick of the playoff race. Keep improving, keep on playing your style of blue collar, winning hockey and the playoffs await. And the pundits will continue to be wrong about this team.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Quack Attack Quashed by Predators 3-1
The Nashville Predators faced the Anaheim Ducks in a contest that took on the appearance of a hard skating squad being stymied by a hot goaltender. Jonas Hiller of the Ducks faced a lot of rubber but was solid in net, turning away a number of shots by the Predators. One had to wonder if the Predators were going to be able to get a goal past the Ducks netminder.
With a one goal lead on a goal by Mike Brown at 7:45 of the first period, the Ducks were clinging to the one goal lead while Hiller was stopping numerous quality chances by the Predators. That would change in the second period as Shea Weber lasered a shot to the top corner at 15:27 of the second to tie the game. Weber lead all Predators with ten shots on goal. His blast brought renewed energy to the Predators and all of a sudden we had a game at the Sommet Center.
The Predators first score of the game came with the home team continuing to apply pressure on the Ducks. Weber's score came on the third shot on net in an eleven second span. The Predators kept pressure on the Anaheim net for much of the night, and were rewarded with the goal as they kept firing the puck on the net with traffic in front. Predator hockey had produced another score.
Jason Arnott potted his first goal in ten games at the 10:11 mark of the third period as he beat Hiller high to the stick side. Hiller had done a good job of taking away the lower part of the net all night, and the Predators were finally able to solve his goaltending prowess by shooting high. It was good to see the Captain get off the schneid and get the goal. Jason has had numerous scoring chances, but has been unable to bury them, so it was good to see the drought finally broken.
The Predators faced pressure from the Ducks for the entire third period, and were outshot 9 to 4 for the period. David Legwand iced the game with an empty netter at the 20:00 minute point of the third, scoring as the horn went off, and the Predators skated away with their third win in a row with a 3-1 victory.
If the Predators had lost another Saturday night game in their third jerseys, there should have been a ceremonial third jersey burning as suggested by my friend Buddy Oakes. Fortunately, that does not have to happen.
When you look at this win, several things stand out. The young guys that have been called up have played some quality minutes for the Predators. Andreas Thuresson impressed tonight. He was strong on the puck and aggressive on the forecheck, and he appears to getting more comfortable with his game. Patric Hornqvist continues to play strong in front of the net, and has become a serious distraction for other teams. Nick Spaling played some quality minutes on the PK. All of these players have contributed when called upon, and have played solid minutes for the Preds.Plug them in to the system, give them opportunity, and watch them respond. Predator hockey.
It goes without saying that this team is not fancy or flashy. They are workmanlike. They bring their luch pails and play blue collar hockey. And they win.
With this win, the Predators are now 25-14-3 and have 53 points. They are tied for fifth in the Western Conference with Calgary, who comes to town on Tuesday night. This from a team that doesn't excel on special teams and was not expected to be in the playoff hunt. Tonight, this team continued to play Predator hockey- they never stopped coming at Anaheim. That pressure, that relentlessness, paid off in another win for a team that isn't supposed to be where they are in the standings.
There is a lot of hockey yet to be played, and the Predators have to continue to play their style of hockey to be successful. This team has shown resiliency, they have shown they can deal with adversity, and they have shown that when they play their system, they can play with anyone.
Tough games coming up, boys. A lot of hockey to be played. Keep on playing the hard, relentless style of hockey that you are now playing, and chalk up the wins. And continue to surprise the hockey world when you make the playoffs.
With a one goal lead on a goal by Mike Brown at 7:45 of the first period, the Ducks were clinging to the one goal lead while Hiller was stopping numerous quality chances by the Predators. That would change in the second period as Shea Weber lasered a shot to the top corner at 15:27 of the second to tie the game. Weber lead all Predators with ten shots on goal. His blast brought renewed energy to the Predators and all of a sudden we had a game at the Sommet Center.
The Predators first score of the game came with the home team continuing to apply pressure on the Ducks. Weber's score came on the third shot on net in an eleven second span. The Predators kept pressure on the Anaheim net for much of the night, and were rewarded with the goal as they kept firing the puck on the net with traffic in front. Predator hockey had produced another score.
Jason Arnott potted his first goal in ten games at the 10:11 mark of the third period as he beat Hiller high to the stick side. Hiller had done a good job of taking away the lower part of the net all night, and the Predators were finally able to solve his goaltending prowess by shooting high. It was good to see the Captain get off the schneid and get the goal. Jason has had numerous scoring chances, but has been unable to bury them, so it was good to see the drought finally broken.
The Predators faced pressure from the Ducks for the entire third period, and were outshot 9 to 4 for the period. David Legwand iced the game with an empty netter at the 20:00 minute point of the third, scoring as the horn went off, and the Predators skated away with their third win in a row with a 3-1 victory.
If the Predators had lost another Saturday night game in their third jerseys, there should have been a ceremonial third jersey burning as suggested by my friend Buddy Oakes. Fortunately, that does not have to happen.
When you look at this win, several things stand out. The young guys that have been called up have played some quality minutes for the Predators. Andreas Thuresson impressed tonight. He was strong on the puck and aggressive on the forecheck, and he appears to getting more comfortable with his game. Patric Hornqvist continues to play strong in front of the net, and has become a serious distraction for other teams. Nick Spaling played some quality minutes on the PK. All of these players have contributed when called upon, and have played solid minutes for the Preds.Plug them in to the system, give them opportunity, and watch them respond. Predator hockey.
It goes without saying that this team is not fancy or flashy. They are workmanlike. They bring their luch pails and play blue collar hockey. And they win.
With this win, the Predators are now 25-14-3 and have 53 points. They are tied for fifth in the Western Conference with Calgary, who comes to town on Tuesday night. This from a team that doesn't excel on special teams and was not expected to be in the playoff hunt. Tonight, this team continued to play Predator hockey- they never stopped coming at Anaheim. That pressure, that relentlessness, paid off in another win for a team that isn't supposed to be where they are in the standings.
There is a lot of hockey yet to be played, and the Predators have to continue to play their style of hockey to be successful. This team has shown resiliency, they have shown they can deal with adversity, and they have shown that when they play their system, they can play with anyone.
Tough games coming up, boys. A lot of hockey to be played. Keep on playing the hard, relentless style of hockey that you are now playing, and chalk up the wins. And continue to surprise the hockey world when you make the playoffs.
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