11/10/09 - Nashville at San Jose: L 3-4

THE GOOD:

I can not tell you how much I love that Shea Weber sucked it up and came back from his injury so quickly. His tenacity and perseverance as a hockey player never ceases to amaze me.

Who is the guy out there wearing 25 and what has he done with Jerred Smithson?! I mean, the moves he's been working here lately make me think I'm watching a completely different player on the ice. And not that I'm surprised really...I've been singing his praises for a while now. However, it's still nice to see him live up to the potential I know he's capable of.

Mike Santorelli's dirty goal at the end of the first. It wasn't too pretty but we'll take it.

Marcel Goc finally scores his first Predators goal...and it was a sweet one against his former team. That must have felt pretty good.

Dan Hamhuis had a great game tonight. I had a feeling he was going to be influential in a goal somehow during this game.

We only took one penalty all night. Staying disciplined while playing the Sharks is not always easy and I'm very happy to see that the boys seemed to have gotten that under control for once.

THE BAD:

Cody Franson needs to work on his split-second decisions during his time on ice. I have seen a few too many rookie moves that leave me feeling a little uneasy about the mistakes he could make.

Our power play is the WORST in the league. THE. WORST. And it won't get any better if we continue to play through it like we did tonight. I'm sorry but we're THE WORST. I can't get over that...even worse than Columbus.

Has anyone else noticed that we've finally been going to the net but once we're there, we get all tied up in ourselves? We still need to figure some things out there. Well, except for the rookies like Santorelli and Hornqvist. They seem to know exactly what to do at the front of the net.

Speaking of Hornqvist, he is ALWAYS involved in tussles around the net after the whistle during pretty much every game. He either has a mouth on him that gets the other players all riled up or he really is just at the net all the time.

THE UGLY:

That Live United commercial should never see the light of TV day again. I have no words for how painful that was for me to sit through.

And what everyone will be talking about tomorrow: the Dan Boyle goal that slipped in through Dan Ellis's five hole was just brutal. The look on his face after he realized the puck slid through was such a look of defeat. Oh man, that just took all the wind out of our sails...unfortunately.


Okay. Wow. This was a tough one to lose. We stayed with the Sharks, we played well in front of the net and our goalie. This is the kind of loss that just stings a little when you think about it too long. Hence why we must not dwell. Steve Sullivan said it in his post-game interview and it's true. You take away the positives, tweak the not-so-positives and move forward.

The Predators wrap up this road trip at St. Louis on Thursday night to face the Blues for the first time this season. The game will be broadcast on 104.5 The Zone and shown locally on FS-TN (channel 28 for Comcast customers). Puck drops at 7:00pm CST.

11/7/09 - Nashville at Los Angeles: W 3-1

This afternoon, I was fortunate enough to see a radio-only game (in both markets) live at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. Traffic on the 101 was hellacious but I finally managed to get to my seat just a few minutes after the initial puck drop. I have to say that I wasn't exactly sure how this game was going to play out since we were coming in to face a team on a hot streak, in their own arena no less. And I honestly didn't know what to think after witnessing what I did on Thursday. Somehow or another, we pulled it out. Our defense found a way to score and the certainly not permanent second line of Joel Ward-David Legwand-Jerred Smithson continued to generate the offense.

Here's some more observations from today's game that I didn't post via Twitter.

THE GOOD:

Martin Erat's back! And look what he managed to do when not paired with David Legwand...interesting, interesting. He did, however, still manage to be a ballerina-esque puck hog out there for a few shifts as well.

I kind of like the Tootoo-Goc-Scatchard line. Wait, what am I saying?!

Still loving the second line and waiting to see how long Trotz will let them stay together.

Surprising that we were able to hold off the Kings from scoring for two periods.

Shocked that Bouillion was the guy to put it on the board for us, on the PP no less.

Cody Franson shows up big time today with a goal and an assist. I really liked his game today and still find it hard to believe he is actually playing for us.

THE BAD:

Are we back to fancy passing again? What happened to taking the freaking shot?!

Stupid penalties to end the first. A lot of stupid penalties today and too many in the third, especially.

Jason Arnott was pretty much non-existent today. Do not like. Well, the entire top line was pretty much non-existent today. We need JP back soon.

THE UGLY:

LA traffic suuuuuucks.

Quick's stick throw was a desperate move to protect his net but I can't say a goalie for us wouldn't do the same in a similar situation.

Side Note: If any of you follow me on Twitter, you might have noticed that I said David Beckham was in the house. Yes, I know it's L.A. and celebrity sightings are to be expected but it was DAVID BECKHAM. That's a pretty big international celebrity sighting. Here's my proof if you don't believe me (picture quality isn't amazing but trust me, it's him)Okay, so the Predators website has a much better picture of him. At least it's proof I wasn't lying. Image by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images

Sadly, this now concludes my west coast road trip. Honda Center once again kicked my butt and the Staples Center was a whirlwind of the unexpected. I laughed, I cried (not really), I cheered, I booed (maybe a little). It was awesome and I can't wait to do it again.

11/5/09 - Nashville at Anaheim: L 0-4

THE GOOD:

Being in the Honda Center for an away game. I had a little extra time to walk around the arena this time and it is really nice, except for the fact that there are cupholders in the restroom stalls but not at your seats. What's up with that?

Before the anthem was sung, there was a nice moment of silence for those affected by the Ft. Hood shootings. Classy, Anaheim.

Jordin Tootoo's line was generating energy. That's what we pay him for and it was good to see someone on our team doing what we pay them for.

The SOG count for the first period. I was pleasantly surprised.

Thanks for taking down Parros, Belak. Way to knock down the Pervstache.

Great pressure in the last seconds of the second period. Too bad we could never capitalize on it.

THE BAD:

These lines were so random. It also did not help that there were a lot of callups and injuries that shook things up while I was a little less focused on hockey in the last few days.

We must stop taking stupid penalties.

We need Shea Weber to get better ASAP. Our power play is suffering because of him.

I didn't like Jason Arnott's game. I can't count how many times I yelled at him because I'm not quite sure I ever stopped yelling.

THE UGLY:

Anaheim's attendance. The crowd was sad. No cheers or much of anything really.

I will always say a "too many men on the ice" penalty is just stupid.

16 SOG in the third period, 40 overall and we don't score ONE goal. UGH


Watching us get spanked by the Ducks in the Honda Center was brutal. It defintely didn't help that the guys gave me absolutely nothing to cheer for either. I was grateful to have the chance to see the Predators play in an arena other than the Sommet but wow, it was not quite the outcome I was hoping. This loss stung a little.

10/30/09 - Chicago at Nashville: W 0-2

I had every intention of taking my usual notes during the game last night so I would have a game recap but life had something different planned. I watched the game with a couple of great girls last night and instead of being so involved in making sure I was getting the best observations out of the night, I let go and found myself enjoying the game without an agenda. It was actually a refreshing experience to just watch the game and enjoy it for what it was, without casting a critical eye on what was happening in front of me. I took in the game from more of a fan’s perspective than a blogger’s perspective...and I loved every last minute of it. With all that said however, here's one observation: two short handed goals in as many nights?! I hope with all that I am that this is not a fluke. Keep up with all that goodness, Smithers.

Moving on...did someone say “ROAD TRIP!”? Well, I did. That’s right; What The Puck is hitting the road (er...sky?) and will be coming to you live from the Anaheim and Los Angeles games next week. Last time I visited the lovely Honda Center, things didn’t go so well for us. Maybe the outcome will be more to my liking next Thursday. Next Saturday’s game at Los Angeles will mark the first time I’ve ever taken in a game at the Staples Center. With the hot streak the Kings have been on, I’m left to wonder how we’ll fare against them in their own building. Fortunately, all these curiosities (and more!) will be satisfied next week.

Due to my very own West Coast swing, there will be no game recap on Saturday. I’ll be counting on twitter to keep me updated on the game that night. I better not miss anything spectacular.

10/28/09 - Nashville at Minnesota: W 4-3

I really, really needed to see this game with my own eyes.

Lines were all over the place. Mike Santorelli got his first NHL career goal. Shea Weber and JP Dumont seemed to play solid games. Jerred Smithson scored a short-handed goal on a breakaway, which ended up being the game winner.

Smooth moves, Jerred. Smooooooth.

Who's been saying you have the ability to score goals like that? Oh yeah, this girl.

Could it be that we see some more of this tomorrow night? I NEED to see this again tomorrow night...help me out here, boys.

10/24/09 - Nashville at Chicago: L 0-2

Ugh, not this again...

THE GOOD:

Martin Erat is taking shots and not hesitating, travelling (yes, I know that's more of a basketball term) or passing. That is the Martin Erat I've been waiting to see.

Don't shoot me but I actually really enjoyed the WGN commercials featuring Blackhawk players.

I also enjoyed hearing Shea Weber and "world class defensemen" mentioned in the same sentence...from the home team guys no less.

The fourth line of Goc-Smithson-Jones excites me. Every time they hit the ice, they are generating good energy AND offense.

Colin Wilson and Cal O'Reilly look goal hungry and don't mind going to and staying at the net.

THE BAD:

We need to be more aggressive and physical with other teams. Chicago came out to play and we were letting them walk all over us.

Excuse me, Chicago announcers but why on earth does it matter or bear repeating over and over again that Dan Ellis is not as big as Pekka Rinne? We got it the first time. You only need to say it once.

While we're at it, just because there is a player on the team wearing the number 38 does not mean it is Vernon Fiddler! It shouldn't take you two periods to clue in.

I absolutely hate that I can almost always sense when the other team is about to score a goal. Also, I am so not a Dustin Byfuglien fan.

Dan Ellis is giving up rebounds again. Not good.

This is probably what should be stressed above all else: there needs to be more of a sense of urgency throughout the entire game and not just in the last four minutes or so.

THE UGLY:

What is UP with all the freaking whistling in the arenas this year? I CAN NOT take it every game. It's so annoying.

Cody Franson's unfortunate stick break right at the end of the power play in the second. Thankfully Ellis was able to stop John Madden's breakaway attempt but what a sad thing to see for the guy positioned at the point.


I didn't have many positives to glean from this game after the first period. The second period was defintely a Nashville Predators second period. And I'm still waiting for that "rise like a phoenix from the ashes" style third period that I got used to seeing over the last couple of seasons. So, where is it already? I don't like to continuously be frustrated night after night after night after...well, you get the picture.

10/22/09 - Nashville at Ottawa: W 6-5 OT

I was only able to catch the third period of last night’s game and wow. Talk about a 20 minute roller coaster ride. Not having a full 60 minutes to really critique the boys' performance leaves me lacking in the game recap-ness of it all but I can comment on a few things I did notice from that period and yes, even some of the highlights.

I think Joel Ward is finally hitting his stride. He is an aggressive skater and much faster than people might notice at first. I was impressed with his ability to maneuver around opposing players and keep his eye on the puck as he broke into the Ottawa zone. Based on what I saw last night, Ward could be in for a fantastic season if he keeps this up.

Pekka still has some weaknesses to tweak. The Michalek goal that went in up and over his shoulder is nothing new. He had similar problems with that particular move last season. And his decision to leave the net instead of letting our defense pick up the puck from behind the crease in those final crucial seconds in the third was painful to watch. But the saying goes “you live and learn” so I’m sure he won’t be so quick to do that again.

Surprisingly (to me, anyway), the Dumont-O’Reilly-Ward line seemed to be firing on all cylinders. The passes they were pulling off were almost unbelievable and left me wondering if I was watching the right game. Should Trotz keep to some of the same line combinations that played last night, I am expecting to see some good things from this line in the future.

I don’t like that the boys gave up a 3-0 lead so easily. It’s almost as if they played two periods and went into the locker room at the second intermission thinking they had it in the bag. Instead of playing to keep the lead and win the game, they played sloppy, overconfident hockey and Ottawa capitalized on that to the tune of FIVE FREAKING GOALS in one period. This is not a trend I wish to see continue.

Yes, we won finally won another game but man, oh man did we take the long way around to get it.