Predators Even the Series, Shell the Blackhawks 6-2

The Nashville Predators evened their first round series with the Chicago Blackhawks by pummeling them 6-2 in front of a raucous packed house at Bridgestone Arena.

Colin Wilson continued his torrid play, tallying a power play goal. Craig Smith notched two goals; Filip Forsberg scored his first playoff goal; Roman Josi and Mike Santorelli added goals as the Predators showed that the gut wrenching double overtime loss didn't set them back.

Some observations:

• Colin Wilson must feel like he has gotten the 8,000 pound gorilla off his back with his play in the first two games. He is dynamic with the puck and finding the back of the net, scoring two goals in game one and adding another goal in this game. Wilson had been invisible over the last 22 games of the season, but it is certainly good to see Wilson picking his game up in the post season.
• Craig Smith has always been a streaky scorer, and tonight he got his first goal in his past 10 games going back to the regular season. His second goal was pure speed combined with determination as he split two defenders to score. If Smith can get on another hot streak, it bodes well for the Predators. I like Smith's hustle and willingness to shoot the puck, and he had a stellar game tonight with 4 points (2G-2A). Now if he can just consistently find the net.
• The Predators lost Shea Weber midway of the second period as he was hit and went down awkwardly in the corner. Weber limped to the bench and went straight down the tunnel. This would be a huge loss for the Predators if he cannot return in this series.
• The loss of Weber meant the Predators played half the game with just 5 defensemen. Big props to the blueliners as they stepped their game up and played some solid defense. Roman Josi led the D corps with 24:31 of ice time.
• Speaking of Josi, his goal late in the first period was a beauty. He skated through the entire Blackhawks team before firing a shot from the faceoff circle that found the back of the net with 3.6 seconds left on the clock. One of Josi's strengths is his calmness with the puck. His puck handling skills are superb and his ability to keep calm and maneuver to open ice were on display on this goal.
• The Blackhawks second goal was scored by Patrick Kane when the Blackhawks clearly had 6 men on the ice. Head Coach Peter Laviolette was furious by got no relief from the officials. If the NHL wants to be taken seriously and not viewed as a minor sport, there is going to have to be integrity and significant improvement with the officiating.
• The Hawks have taken a page out of the Anaheim Ducks playbook. Down late in the game, they decided to goon it up. The Predators showed remarkable poise and didn't retaliate but didn't back down either. Look for this series to get nastier the longer it goes.
• Finally- the Predators played a second period with emotion and intensity. The middle frame has been the bane of the Predators for a while. Good to see them come out with a good response in the second.
• Big ups to the Predators 7th man. The barn was rocking all night long and it is obvious that it rattles the Blackhawks and energizes the Predators.
• Goodness, it would be nice if the Predators could lock down the low slot. Patrick Sharp was left all alone right in front of the crease for an easy goal. Nothing Pekka Rinne could have done about that goal and the defense has to be more aware.
• Rinne was sharp tonight and made some good saves. Rinne is battling and his effort seems to inspire the team. The more saves that Rinne makes, the more frustrated the Blackhawks become. Rinne became the franchise leader with his 14th post season win.
• Gotta wonder who Coach Q will have in net on Sunday. Corey Crawford got lit for three goals in 2:19 in the third period and has allowed 9 goals on 47 shots in the first two games. In reality, Crawford has allowed 9 goals in 4 periods of hockey after getting pulled in the first period of game one. 
• You can't say enough about the Predators penalty kill. After Paul Gaustad took a double minor for high sticking, the Predators PK totally frustrated the Hawks, allowing only one shot on goal over that 4 minute span. That was huge momentum swing for the Predators in this game.
• The Predators blocked 23 shots tonight and have blocked 55 in the first two games.
• The goals by Forsberg, Josi, Santorelli, and Smith were their first career post season goals.

This was a huge win for the Predators. Lose tonight and it was going to be a short series. Now the series shifts to Chicago for the next two games and the Predators are going to have to bring a maximum effort to capture a win.

This team has shown they can do that. They have shown they can beat Chicago in a grinding, tough series.

Now they have to do it.

And I believe they can.

My three stars:

1. Craig Smith

2. Filip Forsberg

3. Colin Wilson

Predators Playoff Preview

The Nashville Predators finished the season with 104 points, good for second in the Central Division and cementing their first round match up against the hated Chicago Blackhawks.

In this preview, I will focus on the Predators, because frankly, I couldn't give a rat's ass about the Blackhawks. Rather than focus on specific metrics, let's look at the areas that will be essential for the Predators to secure a first round victory.

Swagger

After tearing up the League through the end of February, the Predators stumbled to the finish line in March and April. Early in the season, falling behind in a game was no problem for the Predators, as they had the moxie and drive to overcome a deficit and win games. In March, when the Predators endured their first losing skid, the body language and demeanor of this team changed noticeably. Fall behind by a goal and there was a high probability this team was not going to win a game. Fall behind by two goals and this team was doomed.

The Predators also showed a disturbing trend of being unable to hold a lead in the last quarter of the season. This is, in my view, a matter of mental focus. Sure, there will be games where you get a bad bounce and blow a lead, but the consistency with which this team squandered leads causes me to believe they lack a killer instinct.

In the playoffs, there is going to be adversity in every round. How the Predators handle that adversity will go a long way to determining how far they go in the playoffs.

Frankly, the Predators need something good to happen for them and to build on that to get their confidence going. 

Look for how the Predators play in the opening two games at home to see if they have their swagger back or if they are going to roll over. If the Predators fail to show intensity and push back when things aren't going well, this will be a short series.

Gears

To a man, the Predators players have spoken about hitting a playoff gear. Every team that succeeds in the playoffs elevates their game and lays it on the line to win.

The biggest question for the Predators is can they find another gear and elevate their play in the post season.

The Predators did not respond well in the final quarter of the season when they faced teams that were scrambling and desperate to secure playoff positions.

From March through the end of the season, the Predators had 19 games. They went 6-13 (including OT and shootout losses) during a stretch of the season where they met opponents that were already in playoff mode as they were trying to secure a playoff position.

Not exactly awe inspiring.

Can they turn it on now?

My hope is that they can, but if their level of play does not pick up and match that of the Blackhawks, then this will be a short and disappointing series.

Leaks

Defensive breakdowns have plagued the team in the last quarter of the season. The inability to locate forwards in the slot or prime scoring areas have resulted more often than not with the puck in the back of our net. This has been especially true of the second and third D pairings.

Playing a team that has the ability to be explosive and  can roll 4 lines that means that the Predators D pairings are going to have to bring their A game. While Weber and Josi will chew up minutes, there is going to be a need for better lay out of Mattias Ekholm, Seth Jones, Ryan Ellis, and Anton Volchenkov/Victor Bartley. They are going to have their hands full controlling the Hawks forwards and will need to be positionally sound to give the Predators a chance to win this series.

Secondary scoring

There is no doubt the Predators are going to need some secondary scoring, especially from their third line. This is where the Predators need to have Colin Wilson get his game going. Wilson ended the season going 22 games without a goal, and it sure would be good to see him find the net again. The Predators third line could be the difference in this series if they can generate some goals and put some pressure on the Hawks D.

Elite, or just good?

There is no doubt that this team will ride Pekka Rinne as far as he can carry them. Part of the reason for the Predators struggles from the start of March through the end of the season was that Rinne struggled in net. Through the end of February, Rinne sported a .936 save percentage. From March through the end of the season, Rinne's save percentage was .901.

For the Predators to have a chance in this series, Rinne is going to have to return to elite form. if he is just good, then the Predators will struggle to come out of the first round.

(Not so) Special teams

The Predators power play is 25th in the League, clicking at 16.2%, while the penalty kill is 18th at 80.8%. Mediocre at best, and I don't think the Predators will improve in the post season. It is going to be critical for the team to stay out of the box and (please, please, PLEASE) convert when they have an opportunity on the power play.



The Predators have a new season ahead of them. How they respond in these critical areas will determine how long this new season lasts.

More Of the Same. Preds Drop Final Regular Season Game to the Stars 4-1

The Predators wrapped up their regular season against the Dallas Stars in a meaningless game at Dallas. The Predators are heading to the playoffs and the Stars are heading to the golf course.

The Predators rested several players while the Stars were looking to get as many points for jamie Benn as possible. Benn came into the game tied for the scoring lead in the NHL.

The Stars got the 4-1 win and Benn got his points as he had a hat trick and Cody Eakin added a goal.

Filip Forsberg had the Predators only goal.

Some observations:

• The Predators rested some players in this game. Both Shea Weber and Roman Josi were scratched. Victor Bartley drew back into the line up, as did Anton Volchenkov. Joe Piscopo Piskula was called up from Milwaukee to man a spot on the blue line. Mike Fisher was out of the line up for the second game in a row.
• Craig Smith moved to the top line with Mike Ribeiro and Filip Forsberg. The second line was Matt Cullen centering Colin Wilson and Viktor Stalberg.
• Carter Hutton got the start in net. Given the workload of Rinne, this was a good move to get him rested and ready for the playoffs.
• D pairings were Volvhenkov and Seth Jones; Piskula and Mattias Ekholm; and Ryan Ellis and Bartley.
• Filip Forsberg has without a doubt been the Predators most impressive forward this season. His moves and puck handling skill are top flight, and his ability to snipe the puck is the best on this team. However, his 25th goal of the season came from getting into the hard area in front of the net. One of the most underrated aspects of Forsberg's game is his strength. The change from his brief time with the team last season to this season is remarkable.
• Speaking of Forsberg, he is also very durable, playing in all 82 games this season.
• I like the hustle and play of Craig Smith. He is a streaky scorer, and I hope he starts a new scoring streak in the playoffs. He is always hustling and his effort creates some good scoring chances.
• Paging Colin Wilson, paging Colin Wilson...
• The Predators fail to convert on a 2 on 0 as Viktor Stalberg and Mike Ribeiro cannot score on Jonas Enroth. That about sums up the last 20 games for the Predators.

The Predators first round playoff opponent has been decided, and the Predators will play the Chicago Blackhawks.

The second season starts next week.

It feels good to be back in the dance.

But the way this team is playing, I feel like we could be the ugly wallflower.

My three stars:

1. Jamie Benn

2. Filip Forsberg 

3. Jonas Enroth

Predators Continue to Stumble In Loss to the Wild

At the beginning of March, the Nashville Predators sat 9 points ahead of their closest competition for the Central Division title and were a legitimate contender for the President's Trophy.

Fast forward to the next to last game of the season, and the Predators have blown their first Division title just like they have blown way too many games in the last 25% of the season. Instead of hitting the playoffs on a roll, the Predators are stumbling into the post season.

With their 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild at the Bridgestone Arena, the Predators hopes for a Division title evaporated just like their lead in this and so many other games.

The Predators jumped out to a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period on Filip Forsberg's 25th goal of the season and a tally from Seth Jones, his 8th.

That was it for the Predators as the Wild scored on the power play off a goal from Jason Zucker and a breakaway from Marco Scandella.

Jason Pominville scored late in the third period, and the Predators gave up their obligatory empty net goal from Jason Zucker for the final margin.

Some observations:

• This team continues to baffle me for their inability to hold a lead. I have seen more blown leads from this team over the last month to last a lifetime. For some reason, this team just lacks a killer instinct and seems content to sit back and let the opponent dictate play. After a dominating first period, the Predators were manhandled in the second period. They were out shot 15-9 and Pekka Rinne was under siege. The Predators gave up shots from prime scoring areas throughout the period. Part of the problem has been the inconsistency of the D pairings outside of Weber and Josi. What was once a solid blue line has become an adventure, and it has been a problem for this team.
• This team looks to me to be out of gas. The inability to lock down a lead is a symptom of this condition. There has been the usual talk of finding a playoff gear, but this team does not have one. Part of it is the tendency to be too cute in the offensive zone and look for the pretty pass. Playoff hockey is gritty and sometimes ugly, and the grit factor on this team is not high. And I don't think the team has a switch to flip.
• Sigh... the power play continues to be abysmal. Just getting into the zone was a small victory for this unit. I don't understand the philosophy, the lack of movement, the lack of net front presence, it is just amazing we can get this late in the season and see no improvement or change out of this unit. If- and that's a big if- we get in the zone, they are going to get pinned against the wall and generate few chances. I will say it again, this is going to bite the Predators in the butt in the playoffs.
• On a positive note, Filip Forsberg tallied his team leading 25th goal. His 62 points has him in a tie for most points by a rookie with Johnny Gaudreau of the Calgary Flames.

With Chicago's loss tonight, the Predators locked up second place in the Central Division and home ice in the first round.

But what could have been for this team.

The concern is that the Predators will stumble into the playoffs with their confidence shot (very likely) and will be a first round flame out.

With one game left, it remains to be seen how this team turns it around.

My three stars:

1. Jason Zucker

2. Filip Forsberg

3. Jason Pominville

Predators Blow Golden Opportunity, Choke Against the Avs

The Colorado Avalanche are out of the playoffs. The Nashville Predators are firmly ensconced in a playoff position.

That didn't mean the Predators game against the Avalanche had the Pepsi Center had no meaning.

A Predators win, coupled with a loss by the St. Louis Blues in their game tonight against Winnipeg, would move the Predators back into the top spot in the Central Division.

St. Louis (and Chicago) complied as they lost their games tonight.

The table was set for the Predators to feast on the Avs and pick up an important two points.

Instead, the Predators choked.

Big time.

After a Calle Jarnkrok goal gave the Predators a 1-0 in a dominant first period, the Predators took just 9 seconds to puke up the lead to the Avs.

Mattias Ekholm fell in the defensive zone, creating a turnover. Jerome Iginla hammered a puck past Pekka Rinne to tie the game. 9 seconds later, Ryan O'Reilly blasted a shot from the slot past Rinne to give the Avs a 2-1 lead.

The Predators tied the game at 2 on a Ryan Ellis power play goal, a rocket from the blue line, and looked to have taken the lead when Roman Josi scored 18 seconds later but the goal was diallowed on a weak incidental contact call on Paul Gaustad as he skated past Semyon Varlamov.

The Predators once again gave up the lead as Joey Hishon scored his first NHL goal with a wrist shot that beat Rinne cleanly.

The Predators pulled Rinne with 1:36 to go in the game, but the Predators couldn't solve Varlamov and went down to a horrific and disappointing loss by a 3-2 margin.

Some observations:

• Paul Gaustad returned to the line up after being injured by a cheap shot from alex Burrows in the Vancouver game. Mike Santorelli was scratched for the second consecutive game. 
• I really like this trend of the Predators scoring first. It certainly beats having to fight your way back into a game. Now if we can just learn to hold a lead.
• The Predators once again show the disquieting trend of being unable to hold a lead. Whether it's being too cautious, lacking intensity, or just plain bad luck, the Predators have shown an inability in the last quarter of this season to hold onto a lead. I am at a loss to explain it, but this lack of intensity and failure to elevate their play has been the bane of the Predators over the last 20 games. This trend is one that will spell immense trouble for the Predators in the playoffs.
• To be successful in the playoffs, you have to have secondary scoring. The line of Viktor Stalberg, Matt Cullen, and Calle Jarnkrok, running as the third line, has played with a lot of jump and has created some good scoring opportunities. You can't overstimate the play of Cullen. He drives this line and having him healthy and producing is a huge plus for the Predators.
• While I don't think anyone could have stopped the Iginla goal, the next two goals given up by Rinne were pucks that were stoppable, and he has to stop those if this team is going to win games. We are so used to seeing Rinne play at an elite level, and he has for so much of the season. He is now playing at a good level, and that is a problem for this team.
• The coaches and players both have talked about hitting another gear and getting playoff ready. I don't see the Predators have another gear. If you can't step up and take care of business against a team that is out of the playoff hunt, if you can't lock down a game, perhaps you don't have another gear. Playoffs are about elevating your level of play, and the Predators have shown they can't elevate their compete level and win critical games.
• The Predators out shot the Avs 42-23. while Varlamov played an outstanding game, the Predators had a lot of very good opportunities where they couldn't finish. Again, this team has struggled to finish and it is only going to get harder to do so in the playoffs.

The Predators had a golden opportunity to re-take the lead in the Central and didn't have the heart to do that.

And this scares me for this team come playoff time.

My three stars:

1. Semyon Varlamov

2. Joey Hishon

3. Calle Jarnkrok

Predators Can't Finish, Fall to the Stars In OT

There is no doubt the Nashville Predators are going to make the playoffs.

The question is where will they be seeded.

Tied for first in the Central Division, and with 4 games remaining, every point is precious to the Predators.

The Predators threw away a point for the second consecutive game as they fell to the Dallas Stars 4-3 in overtime at Bridgestone Arena. The Stars scored the game winner by Cody Eakin on a penalty shot. Eakin was awarded the shot after Mattias Ekholm slashed the stick out of Eakin's hand on a breakaway.

Eakin beat Predators goaltender Pekka Rinne 5 hole for the winner.

The Predators got out to a 1-0 lead after Filip Forsberg recorded his 24th goal of the year. Forsberg gathered in a deflected Ekholm shot and quickly deposited the puck past Stars netminder Jonas Enroth.

The Stars scored the next three goals. Travis Moen wristed a shot from the slot past Rinne to tie the game at 1. Tyler Seguin gave the Stars a 2-1 lead with a power play goal. Colton Sceviour made it 3-1 early in the third period.

The Predators began a furious rally to force overtime. Ryan Ellis scored from the slot off a nice pass from Forsberg. James Neal scored on a short side snipe from the faceoff circle to tie the game with 1:56 remaining.

That set up Eakin's goal on the penalty shot. On the play, he split Ekholm and Ellis and had a breakaway, forcing Ekholm to desperately dive and slash the stick out of his hand.

Some observations:

• The Predators defense was outstanding at times, shutting down the Stars attack, and at others was incredibly leaky. Besides Eakin's breakaway in overtime, the Predators also gave up a breakaway to Tyler Seguin. Rinne got just enough of the shot to cause it to hit the post. Moen's goal came from out-muscling Ellis to get position in the low slot for a point blank shot.
• Ellis had a nice goal, but he struggled against the bigger forwards for the Stars. As mentioned, Moen used his size to get position in the low slot and Ellis was pushed around quite a bit by Valeri Nichuskin. Ellis has third pairing minutes that protects him to some degree, but when he is caught on the ice against first line players from the other team, he is vulnerable.
• Paging Colin Wilson...paging Colin Wilson. Wilson has now gone 19 games without a goal, and the Predators desperately need him to find his scoring touch again.
• Shea Weber, James Neal, and Matt Cullen returned to the line up after missing games due to injury.
• Mike Ribeiro picked up his 500th career assist on the goal by James Neal.
• Forsberg now has 61 points (24G-37A) in his rookie season. His 24 goals leads the Predators.
• Two players really stood out for me (besides the guys that scored) for the Predators: Mike Fisher and Gabriel Bourque. Both played with a high level of intensity throughout the game  and were beasts in all zones. Bourque picked up an assist and both he and Fisher were excellent on the penalty kill. These guys go to the hard areas and battle all night long.
• I just don't understand our power play. There is continued difficulty getting in the zone and no movement and creativity when (if) they get the puck in the zone. The power play is connecting at 16.6%, and only one other playoff bound team (Anaheim) is ranked below them (16.4%). This is going to be a problem for the Predators in the playoffs.
• The Predators out shot the Stars 36-24, but many of those shots were from the point with no traffic in front of Enroth. Make no mistake, Enroth made some good saves, but when the Predators were pressing and getting traffic to the net, they created quality scoring chances that gave Enroth trouble.The Predators need to do more of that to be successful.
• The Predators are 3-0-1 against the Stars and close out the season with their final game in Dallas.
• How big are the points the Predators are giving away? The Preds have 104 points; St. Louis has 103; and Chicago has 102. St. Louis and Chicago play each other tomorrow.

The Predators need points to secure home ice in the first round of the playoffs. Giving away points like they have in the last two games continues their trend in the final 25% of the season of playing mediocre hockey. The inability to match the intensity of desperate teams does not bode well for the Predators in the playoffs because that is nothing but desperate hockey.

It would certainly be good to see the Predators finish their last 3 regular season games clicking on all cylinders.

Right now, they are sputtering.

My three stars:

1. Jonas Enroth

2. Filip Forsberg

3. Cody Eakin 

My View

We all like to win.

And we love winners. Fans exult in the the conquests of their favorite sports teams. We sweat. We work to exhaustion. We cry tears of frustration. We sacrifice. All to achieve a higher station in life.

To win the game, whatever that "game" might be.

Our society loves winners. Our culture is centered around winning, and often we define ourselves and our standing in this world by being winners. Circumstances conspire against us and we struggle to get by, much less win.

Often, however, we don't win. We lose promotions or our jobs. Families are shattered. Friendships are betrayed. We can't beat the disease that racks our bodies.

When we don't achieve our goals, when we can't beat the disease, when we can't salvage a relationship, we certainly don't feel like we have won. That can set the stage for bitterness and frustration.

As the Christian world gets ready to celebrate Easter, we need to hear the message of hope that we are called to in this celebration.

That message is that the victory has been achieved for us.

The sacrifice of the Perfect Lamb calls us to realize that irrespective of circumstances and station in life,we have been redeemed. The open tomb affirms that the victory over sin and death has been won. We share in the victory of the Christ that took on our sins and defeated death when he walked out of the tomb.

That doesn't mean there is no suffering and pain in this life. There will be.

But that open tomb signifies that the pain and suffering isn't the end. There is more.

There is hope.

There is victory.

That is the message of Easter.

And may it be in our hearts every day.