Well, it could have been worse

I left the game last night feeling better about the team though I still hate rationalizing a game lost just so I don't feel as horrible about our chances. They didn't look as bad as they have in the past two games but they weren't amazing either. In his post-game interview, Coach Trotz said that he thought the team played a little too guarded, like they were afraid to make mistakes. After hearing him say that, I realized that's exactly how I thought they had played though at the time I was watching it unfold in front of me, I couldn't quite put my finger on it.

So they go from horrible, amateur style hockey in the last two outings and then switch to very tightly wound, safe hockey last night. Obviously, the balance will be to find the in between, which is normally the Predators style of hockey that we all know and love.

Every line out there last night had the ability to score. For once, we even have a fourth line that could be more than the usual shut down line that Coach Trotz has been so fond of in seasons past. However, the question remains: how long will it take us to figure out how to connect on the ice and start playing good hockey? For everyone's sake, it better not be too much longer.

This team, as with most others, always goes through a rough patch during each season, sliding down a slippery slope, wondering when someone will throw down a rope so they can grab on and pull themselves out. I think that portion of the Predators season just came a little early this year. I see the light at the end of the tunnel and for my sanity, I really hope the team sees it too.