The second round exit by the Predators will be cause in the coming days for a lot of analysis of this team and the composition of the roster. There will be attempts to determine why the Predators, a team many felt had been "built for a deep playoff run" crashed to earth with a thud against the Phoenix Coyotes.
One can look at any number of metrics to analyze the performance of the Predators in the playoffs, but I believe it ultimately comes down to the ability of a player to produce in the playoffs at least as consistently as in the regular season.The hope is that in the playoffs that the players on the roster will elevate their games. That is a hallmark of successful teams in the chase for the Cup.
The best measure of playoff performance is Points Per Game (PPG), and it is instructive to look at regular season performance compared to playoff performance on a PPG basis.
So how did the Predators PPG production from key players compare in the regular season and the playoffs? Here are the numbers, with regular season PPG and playoff PPG after each players name:
PLAYER
Erat .81 .40
Fisher .71 .40
Legwand .67 .60
S. Kostitsyn .57 .20
Hornqvist .56 .40
Wilson .51 .25
Smith .50 .50
Bourque .44 .50
Tootoo .38 .00
Halischuk .38 .20
Yip .28 .20
Spaling .28 .30
Weber .63 .30
Suter .58 .40
Klein .32 .40
Bouillon .17 .30
We all know that not every forward played a full compliment of 10 games in this playoff season, but when inserted into the line up, they were expected to produce when they had an opportunity. That is why comparing PPG production in the regular season to playoff PPG is instructive.
Notice anything about the list above?
Four players- Bourque, Klein, Spaling, and Bouillon increased their PPG production in the playoffs. Smith stayed the same in his limited playoff appearances. The remainder of the roster suffered a drop in production, some of which was significant.
Granted, the playoffs are a limited number of games, but production is more critical precisely because there are a limited number of games. It is cliche but true that your best players have to be your best players. Translated, they have to produce on the big stage of the playoffs. The games matter more, and failure in a round is final.
The Predators suffered in the playoffs and in particular against the Coyotes because their best players did not adequately produce. Part of this is the intensified defensive pressure that is exerted by an opponent in all rounds of the playoffs, more so as a team advances. The Predators encountered this very situation in the second round as the Coyotes "out-Predatored the Predators" with great goaltending, a stifling forecheck, and aggressive defense. It is in those types of games that a team's best players have to find a way to produce and break through offensively.
So you know, I examined the numbers from the past two seasons to compare regular season PPG against playoff PPG performance by the players who are currently on the roster and were on the roster then. The numbers are surprisingly similar. In the 2010-11 season, 4 players produced at a higher level in the playoffs than they did in the regular season (Legwand, Fisher, Spaling, and Klein). In the 2009-10 season, two players increased their playoff PPG over their regular season PPG (Erat, Legwand).
Part of the disappointment of the loss in the playoffs this year is that the Predators added the pieces that were supposed to give them the talent to get them over the hump and compete for the Cup. Alexander Radulov played 8 playoff games and produced 6 points (.75 PPG), and that sounds good until you realize that 5 of those points came in the first round against Detroit. Andrei Kostitsyn played 8 games and had 4 points (.50 PPG) but was generally ineffective against the Coyotes.Paul Gaustad had 2 points in 10 games (.20 PPG), but was not counted on for significant scoring presence. Hal Gill had no points in 5 playoff games.
These numbers point out that although the Predators have enjoyed regular season success, they have generally fizzled in the playoffs. More specifically, the players that have been counted on to produce- and did produce in the regular season- have not elevated their game in the playoffs.
So what is the problem?
Is it coaching? In a word, no. Barry Trotz and the coaching staff don't suddenly get stupid when the playoffs roll around. In fact, I would contend that Trotz and the coaches do a good job of getting the best match ups they can on the ice and make good adjustments during the course of a series. I know that there will be those that second guess the decision to bench Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn during game 4 of the Coyotes series, but I agree with the call. That will, however, be a point of debate throughout the off season.
More importantly, it is the inability of the Predators to produce in the crucible of playoffs.
Lacking high end scorers, the Predators scramble throughout the regular season for goals. Goal production was up this year as Nashville finished 8th in the League with 2.83 goals per game. The Predators scored by committee, with only two players (Hornqvist, 27 and Fisher, 24) scoring more than 20 goals. In the playoffs, opponents can focus on shutting down the top scorers and have done so rather effectively. When this happens, the "committee" has to step up, but in the face of intense defensive pressure, have proven that they are unable to do so.The numbers bear this out.
The lament of Predator fans in the series against the Coyotes was that the team could not finish their scoring chances.
Finish.
That is what clutch scorers do. That is the calling card of high end scorers in the face of playoff defensive pressure.
And the numbers show that is what the Predators lack.
And it leads me to believe that the Predators were not really built for success in the playoffs.
So now the Predators face an off season full of questions, not the least of which is how the roster will look next season. Personnel changes will happen, as GM David Poile has to examine this roster and attempt to sign players that will allow the Predators to not only continue to be successful in the regular season, but in the playoffs as well.
The building process is going to change the face of this team.
Hopefully for the better.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Coyotes Eliminate the Predators With a 2-1 Win
Backs against the wall.
Desperate.
No tomorrow.
Pick whatever cliche that you want, this is where the Predators find themselves against the Phoenix Coyotes. The task before them is monumental as they had to win a game at Jobing.com Arena in front of an amped up crowd of Coyote faithful.
The Predators task was simple. Play every shift all out. Play each period for a full 20 minutes. Play Predator hockey.
Once again, Pekka Rinne would duel with Mike Smith, but more importantly for the Predators, the team in front of Rinne had to outplay their Coyote counterparts.
The first period saw both teams play with good jump and both goalies made some good saves. The Predators got the only power play of the period, but could not convert. Both teams were excellent on the forecheck, disrupting the offensive flow. The Predators did a good job of fighting through the forecheck and creating chances, but could not solve Smith. For the period, the Predators out shot the Coyotes 10-5.
This was the kind of period that the Predators had to play in this contest, but for them to be successful, they were going to have to finish some of their chances.
Phoenix nearly scored early in the second off a Shane Doan breakaway that Rinne turned aside with his pads. The Coyotes were pressing the Predators and they capitalized off a shot from the blue line by Derek Morris at 3:54. Rinne was screened in front and the shot appeared to re-directed by Rinne.
Roman Josi was called for interference 4:19 of the second, and the Predators PK was going to have to come up big to keep the game in hand. The Coyotes power play was short circuited by Martin Hanzal as he was called for hooking and the teams skated 4 on 4 for the next 1:27.
In the abbreviated power play, the Predators had some great chances around the Coyotes net, but could not cash in as the puck bounced over the stick of an open Alexander Radulov at the side of the net.
The Predators kept the pressure on the Coyotes , and on the power play, a Shea Weber bomb beat Smith but clanged off the post. The Predators had done everything but score so far in this game.
The Coyotes extended the lead to 2-0 as Martin Hanzal scored on a shot through traffic that Rinne never saw. The score came at 15:09 of the second period, and now the hill was getting incredibly steep for the Predators.
Although the offensive push by the Predators was good, they could not get a puck past Smith. The scoring chances for the Predators saw them unable to finish. Part was just bad puck luck, but much credit had to go to the Coyotes, who were clogging up the prime scoring areas in front of Smith and preventing the Predators from getting to loose pucks.
The Predators out shot the Coyotes 12-7 in the second, but staring at a 2-0 deficit, the season was coming down to to the final 20 minutes. The Predators had to figure out a way to get a puck past Smith or the season was going to come to a quick end.
You could not fault the effort by the Predators in the third period. They were throwing everything they could at Smith and the Coyotes, but just could not get a puck in the net. They were controlling play in the offensive zone, but the old bugaboo of not being able to finish scoring chances was once again biting this team in the ass.
The Predators finally solved Smith at 14:01 of the third as David Legwand sent a perfect pass from the half boards to Colin Wilson as he was driving the net. Wilson got his stick on the puck and tipped it over the shoulder of Smith to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Predators had life, but the clock was quickly becoming the enemy of the Predators.
Despite a final furious flurry by the Predators, they could not score the game tying goal and fell to the Coyotes 2-1 to end their season.
The Predators effort was solid, but the lack of a scorer that could finish their chances doomed them in this contest and in this series. Credit has to go to the Coyotes for the solid team game they played in this game and in this series. In a contest between two teams that were fairly evenly matched, they took advantage of the mistakes the Predators made and punished us for them. From start to finish, the Coyotes were the more solid team, and deserved the series.
For the Predators, this is a disappointment. To win this series and compete for the Cup, they had to have their best players be the best. Unfortunately, they were not.
This leaves an off season of questions about the roster and how to get this team over the hump so they can win a tough series.
There will be plenty of time now to ponder those questions.
Desperate.
No tomorrow.
Pick whatever cliche that you want, this is where the Predators find themselves against the Phoenix Coyotes. The task before them is monumental as they had to win a game at Jobing.com Arena in front of an amped up crowd of Coyote faithful.
The Predators task was simple. Play every shift all out. Play each period for a full 20 minutes. Play Predator hockey.
Once again, Pekka Rinne would duel with Mike Smith, but more importantly for the Predators, the team in front of Rinne had to outplay their Coyote counterparts.
The first period saw both teams play with good jump and both goalies made some good saves. The Predators got the only power play of the period, but could not convert. Both teams were excellent on the forecheck, disrupting the offensive flow. The Predators did a good job of fighting through the forecheck and creating chances, but could not solve Smith. For the period, the Predators out shot the Coyotes 10-5.
This was the kind of period that the Predators had to play in this contest, but for them to be successful, they were going to have to finish some of their chances.
Phoenix nearly scored early in the second off a Shane Doan breakaway that Rinne turned aside with his pads. The Coyotes were pressing the Predators and they capitalized off a shot from the blue line by Derek Morris at 3:54. Rinne was screened in front and the shot appeared to re-directed by Rinne.
Roman Josi was called for interference 4:19 of the second, and the Predators PK was going to have to come up big to keep the game in hand. The Coyotes power play was short circuited by Martin Hanzal as he was called for hooking and the teams skated 4 on 4 for the next 1:27.
In the abbreviated power play, the Predators had some great chances around the Coyotes net, but could not cash in as the puck bounced over the stick of an open Alexander Radulov at the side of the net.
The Predators kept the pressure on the Coyotes , and on the power play, a Shea Weber bomb beat Smith but clanged off the post. The Predators had done everything but score so far in this game.
The Coyotes extended the lead to 2-0 as Martin Hanzal scored on a shot through traffic that Rinne never saw. The score came at 15:09 of the second period, and now the hill was getting incredibly steep for the Predators.
Although the offensive push by the Predators was good, they could not get a puck past Smith. The scoring chances for the Predators saw them unable to finish. Part was just bad puck luck, but much credit had to go to the Coyotes, who were clogging up the prime scoring areas in front of Smith and preventing the Predators from getting to loose pucks.
The Predators out shot the Coyotes 12-7 in the second, but staring at a 2-0 deficit, the season was coming down to to the final 20 minutes. The Predators had to figure out a way to get a puck past Smith or the season was going to come to a quick end.
You could not fault the effort by the Predators in the third period. They were throwing everything they could at Smith and the Coyotes, but just could not get a puck in the net. They were controlling play in the offensive zone, but the old bugaboo of not being able to finish scoring chances was once again biting this team in the ass.
The Predators finally solved Smith at 14:01 of the third as David Legwand sent a perfect pass from the half boards to Colin Wilson as he was driving the net. Wilson got his stick on the puck and tipped it over the shoulder of Smith to cut the deficit to 2-1. The Predators had life, but the clock was quickly becoming the enemy of the Predators.
Despite a final furious flurry by the Predators, they could not score the game tying goal and fell to the Coyotes 2-1 to end their season.
The Predators effort was solid, but the lack of a scorer that could finish their chances doomed them in this contest and in this series. Credit has to go to the Coyotes for the solid team game they played in this game and in this series. In a contest between two teams that were fairly evenly matched, they took advantage of the mistakes the Predators made and punished us for them. From start to finish, the Coyotes were the more solid team, and deserved the series.
For the Predators, this is a disappointment. To win this series and compete for the Cup, they had to have their best players be the best. Unfortunately, they were not.
This leaves an off season of questions about the roster and how to get this team over the hump so they can win a tough series.
There will be plenty of time now to ponder those questions.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Predators Backs Against the Wall With a 1-0 Loss
The Nashville Predators dropped a 1-0 game to the Phoenix Coyotes at the Bridgestone Arena to fall behind in their series 3-1.
To say their backs are against the wall is an understatement.
The Predators offense was ineffective and rarely threatened Phoenix netminder Mike Smith. When they did threaten, Smith was equal to the task
The Coyotes Shane Doan scored at 14:25 of the first period as he went into the slot and fired a shot at Rinne that he got with his blocker, but it flipped over his shoulder, off Roman Josi, and into the net. for the only goal of the game.
The Phoenix defense made that goal stand up as they forechecked the life out of the Predators, rarely letting them come through the neutral zone with any speed, and one the Predators got into the offensive zone, choked the life out of them.
The Predators struggled to get any offensive rhythm because of the pressure the Coyotes put on the puck and throughout the game had more energy and jump than the Predators.
The offensive effort was disappointing to say the least, but give credit to the Coyotes for their play, because they ere better than the Predators tonight.
And therein lies the problem for the Predators. Their best offensive players were average and failed to create quality chances. It's telling that Colin Wilson, Marty Erat, Gabriel Bourque, and nick spaling all mustered just one shot on goal each. Jordin Tootoo, Sergei Kostitsyn, Matt Halischuk, and Paul Gaustad had none.
The Predators were 0-3 on the power play, as the Coyotes did a good job pressuring the puck and not letting the Predators get quality chances on Smith. The Predators did score on a power play late in the third period, but the goal was waved off as the officials struck with the dreaded "intent to blow" call.
The fact is that the Predators were outplayed throughout the contest. Rinne was exceptional, especially in the first period , stoning Mikkel Boedker alone in front of the net on one sequence. Frankly, without the strong play of Rinne, who seemed to be the only Predator ready to play, the score could have been much worse.
The Predators sat Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn for the second straight game after their curfew violations before game 3. While many may second guess that decision, I concur with the call made by Head Coach Barry Trotz. The Predators squad on the ice tonight was the same one that played a dominant game 4 an captured a 2-0 victory. That squad that was so effective in game 4 did not come to play tonight.
The Predators have dug an immense hole. The task before them is monumental.
It is not insurmountable.
It will require each player that puts on the sweater Monday night to commit to win puck battles, to play balls to the wall on every shift.
Do that, and the series will come back to Nashville.
Fail to do so, and your backs will no longer be against the wall.
They will be out of the playoffs.
My three stars:
1: Mike Smith
2. Shane Doan
3. Pekka Rinne
To say their backs are against the wall is an understatement.
The Predators offense was ineffective and rarely threatened Phoenix netminder Mike Smith. When they did threaten, Smith was equal to the task
The Coyotes Shane Doan scored at 14:25 of the first period as he went into the slot and fired a shot at Rinne that he got with his blocker, but it flipped over his shoulder, off Roman Josi, and into the net. for the only goal of the game.
The Phoenix defense made that goal stand up as they forechecked the life out of the Predators, rarely letting them come through the neutral zone with any speed, and one the Predators got into the offensive zone, choked the life out of them.
The Predators struggled to get any offensive rhythm because of the pressure the Coyotes put on the puck and throughout the game had more energy and jump than the Predators.
The offensive effort was disappointing to say the least, but give credit to the Coyotes for their play, because they ere better than the Predators tonight.
And therein lies the problem for the Predators. Their best offensive players were average and failed to create quality chances. It's telling that Colin Wilson, Marty Erat, Gabriel Bourque, and nick spaling all mustered just one shot on goal each. Jordin Tootoo, Sergei Kostitsyn, Matt Halischuk, and Paul Gaustad had none.
The Predators were 0-3 on the power play, as the Coyotes did a good job pressuring the puck and not letting the Predators get quality chances on Smith. The Predators did score on a power play late in the third period, but the goal was waved off as the officials struck with the dreaded "intent to blow" call.
The fact is that the Predators were outplayed throughout the contest. Rinne was exceptional, especially in the first period , stoning Mikkel Boedker alone in front of the net on one sequence. Frankly, without the strong play of Rinne, who seemed to be the only Predator ready to play, the score could have been much worse.
The Predators sat Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn for the second straight game after their curfew violations before game 3. While many may second guess that decision, I concur with the call made by Head Coach Barry Trotz. The Predators squad on the ice tonight was the same one that played a dominant game 4 an captured a 2-0 victory. That squad that was so effective in game 4 did not come to play tonight.
The Predators have dug an immense hole. The task before them is monumental.
It is not insurmountable.
It will require each player that puts on the sweater Monday night to commit to win puck battles, to play balls to the wall on every shift.
Do that, and the series will come back to Nashville.
Fail to do so, and your backs will no longer be against the wall.
They will be out of the playoffs.
My three stars:
1: Mike Smith
2. Shane Doan
3. Pekka Rinne
My View
Random ruminations from your resident curmudgeon...
Do you know Julia? You should, because you and I as taxpayers are supporting her. If you haven't seen the Democrats latest campaign about the necessity of a big government you can go here to see the story of Julia, a person that could not function in this life if were not for the guidance and support of government programs. Julia is the ideal Democratic voter, relying on the government from the cradle to the grave and unable to function in this life without direction and assistance from the federal government. Sadly, there are many people that are like that, and the Left is diligently trying to cultivate more. They will claim it is under the guise of compassion and fairness. Those on the Right have laughingly criticized this campaign and mindset as being woefully dependent on government to function and cultivating in our society a lack of effort and initiative. The campaign has also drawn criticism from many sectors that the Democrats are promoting families without a father figure, as nowhere in the campaign is Julia depicted with a husband. All of these criticisms are true, but here is what you should keep in mind. The crux of what we are voting for in the November elections, and what Julia so accurately demonstrates, is that the Democrats are the party of free stuff. Government will supply all your needs- with money taxed away from someone else, of course. This latest campaign by the Democrats puts into stark contrast what the real choices are in the upcoming election: government dependency and limitation on freedom; or the freedom to achieve, pursue our dreams, and reap the economic rewards on the other. The battle lines are clear, and this election will determine the direction of our country for many years.
The truth will set you free. Unless you are a murderer.
Today, the April employment numbers were released, and they were brutal. Only 115,000 new jobs were added last month, well below expectations of 175,000. This is a painful reminder that the economy remains very weak and that job creation is anemic. It is estimated that our nation will average for 2012 150,000 new jobs created every month. If that is true, then it will take our country until 2025 to get back to pre-recession unemployment levels. The spin on this from Washington will be that unemployment has fallen to 8.1%, the lowest level in several years. Here is what you should know: the number of people that are working or looking for work has fallen to the lowest level in 30 years. Let that sink in...there are fewer people working or looking for work than in any time in the last 30 years. Congratulations, President Obama. You have a worse economic record that the venal Jimmy Carter, and I thought that was not possible. Real unemployment, those out of work and looking, those who are not looking after being displaced, and those that are dramatically underemployed is estimated to be 16%. This is the canary in the coal mine for our economy, because until conditions improve so that jobs are being consistently added, we will struggle. Wonder what government program Julia will use now?
My wife sure asks me a lot of questions. I think it's because she has an extra why chromosome.
In this era of instant communication, electronic bill paying, and overnight package delivery, I don't think very often about the U.S. Postal Service even though I still use their service. Perhaps I should have. According to the Postmaster General, the USPS has averaged a $5 billion loss for the past five years and 80% of their postal facilities lose money. Due to civil service seniority and Congressional intervention, the necessary changes to get the postal system back to good health have been slow to implement and virtually non-existent. The USPS is proposing to begin closing 3700 money losing postal facilities in mid May (believe, 3700 is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the number that are losing money) and lay off 4500 employees. Closing a postal facility in a small town is difficult, because it is almost always unanimously opposed and because it gives a local Congressman a great photo op to say they "rescued" a post office. As such, little positive change is effected, and the postal service continues as a money losing institution that is devouring your tax dollars. Keep that in mind the next time someone from the government says they can efficiently run our health care system.
Home is a place where you can be totally honest and say anything you want because no one listens to you anyway.
And that, my friends, is my view.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Predators Play Predator Hockey, Defeat Coyotes 2-0
The Nashville Predators returned to Nashville and the Honkeytonk, also known as Bridgestone Arena, and found their rhythm by beating the Phoenix Coyotes 2-0 for their first win in their semi final series. The Coyotes lead the series 2-1 with the next game Friday night in Nashville.
The Predators scored 2 first period goals, and the strong goaltending of Pekka Rinne made those two markers stand up as Rinne recorded his first playoff shutout.
The Predators opened the scoring at 8:10 of the first period on a gift from Coyotes netminder Mike Smith. Smith went to play the puck behind the net and slid the puck toward a Coyotes defenseman.Gabriel Bourque was in hard on the forecheck and wrestled the puck away and passed to David Legwand in the slot. Legwand buried the puck past Smith, who was scrambling to get back in his crease to give the Predators a 1-0 lead and send the partisan crowd into a frenzy.
Just 66 seconds later, Marty Erat fought for the puck along the boards in the Coyote zone and won the puck battle. He got the puck to Sergei Kostitsyn who appeared to have a shot from the inside the face off circle to Smith's left. He instead passed to Mike Fisher, who was alone at the side of the net, and Fisher chipped the puck over Smith to give the Predators a 2-0 lead at 9:16 of the first period.
Although the Coyotes out shot the Predators 10-8 in the first period, they never really threatened Rinne. The Coyotes did hit a post with one shot, but the Predators did a good job of keeping the front of the net clear and forcing the Coyotes to the outside.
The second period was a scoreless 20 minutes, but it was notable for the Predators aggressive forecheck and their ability to keep the Coyotes back on their heels. The Coyotes possess a group of forwards that can be explosive, but the Predators did a good job of limiting their offensive efforts, keeping the Coyotes on the wall for much of the period. Most of their shots were from the outside and not from the dangerous scoring areas. Although the Coyotes out shot the Predators 12-8 in the second period, the Predators continued to play god defense, blocking shots and forcing the Coyotes to the outside.
In the third period, the Predators continued to forecheck aggressively and put pressure on the Coyotes. Their effort continued to thwart the Coyotes offense and minimize their scoring chances. The Coyotes had a good opportunity to get back into the game as Sergei Kostitsyn was called for hooking at 12:59 and Marty Erat was called for tripping at 14:19. With 41 seconds of a 5 on 3, the Coyotes had a prime opportunity to get back into the game.
Instead, the Predators PK did a good job of getting into the shooting lanes and continued to keep the Coyotes to the outside. When the puck got in on Rinne, he was able to snuff out the scoring chances, and the Predators seized the momentum with an outstanding penalty kill.
The third period ended with Smith out of the net for an extra attacker in the final 2 minutes, but the Coyotes could not generate any serious threats, and as the clock wound down, the Predators had captured a 2-0 win and had energized the team and the fans.
The Predators played this game without Andrei Kostitsyn and Alexander Radulov, who were suspended for this game for a violation of team rules. They are eligible to return for game 4 Friday night.
I do not expect them to play.
The Predators won tonight with grit, determination, and a balls to the wall effort. As Marty Erat said after the game, "We played for 60 minutes and we played with some balls."
It is going to take that same kind of effort Friday night against a very god Coyotes team. They will not lay down, and they will come back with determination.
To come with any less of an effort will be disappointing for the Predators.
The effort tonight was a total team effort. All lines contributed, and more importantly, everyone wearing a gold sweater played Predator hockey.
One game doesn't make a series. The Predators trail 2 games to 1.
But the Predators showed tonight that when they play Predator hockey, they are hard to beat.
My three stars:
1. Pekka Rinne
2. Mike Fisher
3. David Legwand
The Predators scored 2 first period goals, and the strong goaltending of Pekka Rinne made those two markers stand up as Rinne recorded his first playoff shutout.
The Predators opened the scoring at 8:10 of the first period on a gift from Coyotes netminder Mike Smith. Smith went to play the puck behind the net and slid the puck toward a Coyotes defenseman.Gabriel Bourque was in hard on the forecheck and wrestled the puck away and passed to David Legwand in the slot. Legwand buried the puck past Smith, who was scrambling to get back in his crease to give the Predators a 1-0 lead and send the partisan crowd into a frenzy.
Just 66 seconds later, Marty Erat fought for the puck along the boards in the Coyote zone and won the puck battle. He got the puck to Sergei Kostitsyn who appeared to have a shot from the inside the face off circle to Smith's left. He instead passed to Mike Fisher, who was alone at the side of the net, and Fisher chipped the puck over Smith to give the Predators a 2-0 lead at 9:16 of the first period.
Although the Coyotes out shot the Predators 10-8 in the first period, they never really threatened Rinne. The Coyotes did hit a post with one shot, but the Predators did a good job of keeping the front of the net clear and forcing the Coyotes to the outside.
The second period was a scoreless 20 minutes, but it was notable for the Predators aggressive forecheck and their ability to keep the Coyotes back on their heels. The Coyotes possess a group of forwards that can be explosive, but the Predators did a good job of limiting their offensive efforts, keeping the Coyotes on the wall for much of the period. Most of their shots were from the outside and not from the dangerous scoring areas. Although the Coyotes out shot the Predators 12-8 in the second period, the Predators continued to play god defense, blocking shots and forcing the Coyotes to the outside.
In the third period, the Predators continued to forecheck aggressively and put pressure on the Coyotes. Their effort continued to thwart the Coyotes offense and minimize their scoring chances. The Coyotes had a good opportunity to get back into the game as Sergei Kostitsyn was called for hooking at 12:59 and Marty Erat was called for tripping at 14:19. With 41 seconds of a 5 on 3, the Coyotes had a prime opportunity to get back into the game.
Instead, the Predators PK did a good job of getting into the shooting lanes and continued to keep the Coyotes to the outside. When the puck got in on Rinne, he was able to snuff out the scoring chances, and the Predators seized the momentum with an outstanding penalty kill.
The third period ended with Smith out of the net for an extra attacker in the final 2 minutes, but the Coyotes could not generate any serious threats, and as the clock wound down, the Predators had captured a 2-0 win and had energized the team and the fans.
The Predators played this game without Andrei Kostitsyn and Alexander Radulov, who were suspended for this game for a violation of team rules. They are eligible to return for game 4 Friday night.
I do not expect them to play.
The Predators won tonight with grit, determination, and a balls to the wall effort. As Marty Erat said after the game, "We played for 60 minutes and we played with some balls."
It is going to take that same kind of effort Friday night against a very god Coyotes team. They will not lay down, and they will come back with determination.
To come with any less of an effort will be disappointing for the Predators.
The effort tonight was a total team effort. All lines contributed, and more importantly, everyone wearing a gold sweater played Predator hockey.
One game doesn't make a series. The Predators trail 2 games to 1.
But the Predators showed tonight that when they play Predator hockey, they are hard to beat.
My three stars:
1. Pekka Rinne
2. Mike Fisher
3. David Legwand
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
The Leadership Challenge
The Nashville Predators took the bold- and correct- step of suspending Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn for game 3 of the Predators semi final series with Phoenix. The reasons have not been disclosed except for the team to say that there was a substantive violation of team rules by the two players that warranted a one game suspension.
Kudos to GM David Poile and Head Coach Barry Trotz for addressing the situation head on and acting correctly. The actions of Radulov and Kostitsyn were selfish and foolish, and warranted action by the GM and Coaches. The GM and Coaches acted appropriately and in a timely manner, which they should have done.
While much of the focus is on the shenanigans of Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn, for the Predators the focus now falls on three players in particular: Captain Shea Weber and the alternate captains, Ryan Suter and Mike Fisher.
This leadership group has done a good job of guiding a young squad through the rigors of the regular season grind and getting them through the first round of the playoffs. And with a cohesive group, a character group of guys that have occupied roster slots this season, this has not been a difficult task.
Now that two players who have recently been added to the mix of roster regulars have chosen to act selfishly and disregard the team over their own personal good times, the onus of bringing this team back together inside of the locker room rests with this leadership group, and this will be a test, perhaps the biggest test for Weber, Suter, and Fisher.
Not only are the Predators trailing 2-0 and facing the pressure of a must win game, but now they team has to get re-focused after the disruption that Radulov and Kostitsyn have caused.
There is no doubt that this is an enormous distraction to the team. There is a risk of disrupting the cohesion and equilibrium of a team that is being sorely tested in this round of the playoffs. What the leaders on this team do behind the closed doors of the locker room will be critical to maintaining that cohesion and equilibrium.
This team is going to look at the response that the leadership this group provides, and they will respond in kind. The response of the captains has to be unequivocal- no player is better than the team- and focused on the task of winning game 3.
Real leadership rises to the meet the challenges of the unexpected and motivates to excel in difficult times. It shines in dark times. This is the first real test of Weber's- and Suter and Fisher's- leadership. How they respond to this challenge will go a long way to determining how the team will respond to this adversity that has been thrust on them.
For Weber, Suter, and Fisher, this is your time to shine. The challenge awaits.
Your move, gentlemen.
Kudos to GM David Poile and Head Coach Barry Trotz for addressing the situation head on and acting correctly. The actions of Radulov and Kostitsyn were selfish and foolish, and warranted action by the GM and Coaches. The GM and Coaches acted appropriately and in a timely manner, which they should have done.
While much of the focus is on the shenanigans of Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn, for the Predators the focus now falls on three players in particular: Captain Shea Weber and the alternate captains, Ryan Suter and Mike Fisher.
This leadership group has done a good job of guiding a young squad through the rigors of the regular season grind and getting them through the first round of the playoffs. And with a cohesive group, a character group of guys that have occupied roster slots this season, this has not been a difficult task.
Now that two players who have recently been added to the mix of roster regulars have chosen to act selfishly and disregard the team over their own personal good times, the onus of bringing this team back together inside of the locker room rests with this leadership group, and this will be a test, perhaps the biggest test for Weber, Suter, and Fisher.
Not only are the Predators trailing 2-0 and facing the pressure of a must win game, but now they team has to get re-focused after the disruption that Radulov and Kostitsyn have caused.
There is no doubt that this is an enormous distraction to the team. There is a risk of disrupting the cohesion and equilibrium of a team that is being sorely tested in this round of the playoffs. What the leaders on this team do behind the closed doors of the locker room will be critical to maintaining that cohesion and equilibrium.
This team is going to look at the response that the leadership this group provides, and they will respond in kind. The response of the captains has to be unequivocal- no player is better than the team- and focused on the task of winning game 3.
Real leadership rises to the meet the challenges of the unexpected and motivates to excel in difficult times. It shines in dark times. This is the first real test of Weber's- and Suter and Fisher's- leadership. How they respond to this challenge will go a long way to determining how the team will respond to this adversity that has been thrust on them.
For Weber, Suter, and Fisher, this is your time to shine. The challenge awaits.
Your move, gentlemen.
Predators Suspend Radulov and A. Kostitsyn for Game 3 against the Coyotes
The Nashville Predators have announced today that forwards Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kositisyn will not play in the third games of the the Predators second round series against the Phoenix Coyotes for a violation of team rules.
Here is the press release from the Predators,
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that forwards Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn will not play Game Three of the team’s Western Conference Semifinals series vs. the Phoenix Coyotes as result of violating team rules.
“The Nashville Predators have a few simple rules centered around doing the right things,” Poile said. “We have always operated with a team-first mentality and philosophy. Violating team rules is not fair to our team and their teammates.”
The Predators trail the Coyotes in their semi final series 2-0. Tthe third game of this series is in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena.
While this certainly removes two offensive threats from the Predators line up, I commend GM David Poile and the team for the consistent application of the team rules and not bowing to playoff pressure.
The nature of the violation is unknown at this time. Both Kostitsyn and Radulov are on the ice at the morning practice for the Predators.
Here is the press release from the Predators,
Nashville Predators President of Hockey Operations/General Manager David Poile announced today that forwards Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn will not play Game Three of the team’s Western Conference Semifinals series vs. the Phoenix Coyotes as result of violating team rules.
“The Nashville Predators have a few simple rules centered around doing the right things,” Poile said. “We have always operated with a team-first mentality and philosophy. Violating team rules is not fair to our team and their teammates.”
The Predators trail the Coyotes in their semi final series 2-0. Tthe third game of this series is in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena.
While this certainly removes two offensive threats from the Predators line up, I commend GM David Poile and the team for the consistent application of the team rules and not bowing to playoff pressure.
The nature of the violation is unknown at this time. Both Kostitsyn and Radulov are on the ice at the morning practice for the Predators.
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