This is not the way we should have ended an otherwise stellar month of hockey.
Coming into tonight, these two teams looked to be a pretty good matchup, on paper. Once the puck dropped, however, it was a whole different story. Calgary put it to us right from the opening face off and never relented. They checked harder, dug harder and yes, fought harder (McGratton easily won the fight between he and Belak) throughout the entire game. Our lines were no match for their lines and it became very apparent all too quickly for me.
There was no pep in our step, er, skate; no urgency behind our plays. I only recall a grand total of two shifts that were in the least bit exciting to watch. They came from the Smithson-Legwand-Ward line and the Hornqvist-Erat-Tootoo line in the second period. Before and after that, it was all dead ice to me. It was obvious that Trotz wanted to switch things up when he started throwing out random lines again (we didn't expect him to keep the lines together much longer, did we?) though his attempt to freshen things up was all for naught.
No goaltender is solely at fault for losing a game, though there were definitely a couple of goals Pekka could have stopped. The team that played in front of him was just severely lacking in all things offensive (in the scoring sense, anyway). There were several occasions were our defense came through with a big save to help Rinne out or the night could have ended 8-0, in favor of the Flames. One defensive player that I could have done without tonight? Ryan Suter. Man, oh freaking man did he have a rough game. I yelled at him so much, I had to check myself to make sure I hadn't travelled back in time to the 2007-2008 season.
Not that I'm in any way condoning excuses BUT based on what I saw on the ice and what I witnessed while keeping a close eye on the bench, we look a little down and out right now. I know Joel Ward wasn't feeling 100% on Saturday and I'm fairly certain there are a few other guys under the weather as well. We've played through worse though so it's time to suck it up, take a Z-Pak, drink some extra Gatorade and pull it together.
I'm also positive that the blatant lack of crowd support had a little something to do with it too. BUT let's not go there because I really don't want to give people an open door to talk about our attendance............................
The season is long and there are plenty more games to be played. I just don't want to see another one played like this.
Monday, November 30, 2009
It's a Blog-Off: Get Your Vote On
The fine folks over at NHL Arena are hosting a Blog-Off Tournament, featuring all 30 NHL teams and their respective bloggers.
In their own words:
"First we wish to determine which is the most Preds' related blog and then the winner will go head to head with blogs featuring other teams in your Division, Conference and ultimately be given the chance to be the best NHL team related blog of all."
All of the current Nashville Predators bloggers are listed here: Preds Blogs
If you are in the giving mood ('tis the season!) and want to spread a little love, register with NHL Arena and vote for What The Puck to advance to the next round.
I can't make any promises BUT if I do advance to the next round, I'll be working on a little something special (read: a giveaway) for all you 14 readers out there.
Thanks, interwebs!
In their own words:
"First we wish to determine which is the most Preds' related blog and then the winner will go head to head with blogs featuring other teams in your Division, Conference and ultimately be given the chance to be the best NHL team related blog of all."
All of the current Nashville Predators bloggers are listed here: Preds Blogs
If you are in the giving mood ('tis the season!) and want to spread a little love, register with NHL Arena and vote for What The Puck to advance to the next round.
I can't make any promises BUT if I do advance to the next round, I'll be working on a little something special (read: a giveaway) for all you 14 readers out there.
Thanks, interwebs!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Weekend Wrap Up - Third Jerseys Debut with Mixed Results
The Predators debuted their third jerseys this weekend and had the both games not gone our way, I am sure more than a few fans would have been adamant that the team should think twice before wearing them again.
The game against St. Louis was one that I actually half way expected us to lose. It is almost the Predator way. Win against the teams that are way better than us on paper and lose to the teams that we should pretty easily beat. Thus was the story with the Blues. There were some questionable calls from the refs in the game on Friday night; the first I'd really taken any issue with all season. To blame the refs however, is a cop out and I won't be doing that. The team I saw on Friday was just not good.
Coming into Saturday's game, there was no question the boys were tired. For much of the first period, it seemed as though everyone (on both teams) was just trying to skate through those twenty minutes so they could catch a little cat nap during the intermission. When Florida finally showed up though, I had no idea they were going to be so physical. It was almost as if they had some kind of personal vendetta against the Predators. I don't recall them being so downright dirty. They could definitely be the Ducks of the Eastern Conference.
And is it just me (no, it's not just me) or have we somehow lost the ability to do a clean line change? There were some crazy lines out there against both the Blues and the Panthers and I am positive that Trotz hasn't been switching things up THAT much.
Also, our power play was the suck.
Worth noting: if David Legwand continues to impress me like he has been here lately, I will have to start saying more nice things about him.
One more thing: Dan Ellis played a great game, start to finish. He looked sharp and not at all like someone who's sat on the bench for a good stretch.
The first match up against the Calgary Flames is just ahead on Monday night. I hope we take away the good and bad points from the last couple of games and focus on getting back to playing the hockey that had us riding a seven game winning streak. The game against Florida was a good start.
Coming Soon (probably tomorrow or Monday): my commentary on the ever-growing facial hair, courtesy of Movemeber and a chance to get out and vote for me in a Predators Blog-Off.
The game against St. Louis was one that I actually half way expected us to lose. It is almost the Predator way. Win against the teams that are way better than us on paper and lose to the teams that we should pretty easily beat. Thus was the story with the Blues. There were some questionable calls from the refs in the game on Friday night; the first I'd really taken any issue with all season. To blame the refs however, is a cop out and I won't be doing that. The team I saw on Friday was just not good.
Coming into Saturday's game, there was no question the boys were tired. For much of the first period, it seemed as though everyone (on both teams) was just trying to skate through those twenty minutes so they could catch a little cat nap during the intermission. When Florida finally showed up though, I had no idea they were going to be so physical. It was almost as if they had some kind of personal vendetta against the Predators. I don't recall them being so downright dirty. They could definitely be the Ducks of the Eastern Conference.
And is it just me (no, it's not just me) or have we somehow lost the ability to do a clean line change? There were some crazy lines out there against both the Blues and the Panthers and I am positive that Trotz hasn't been switching things up THAT much.
Also, our power play was the suck.
Worth noting: if David Legwand continues to impress me like he has been here lately, I will have to start saying more nice things about him.
One more thing: Dan Ellis played a great game, start to finish. He looked sharp and not at all like someone who's sat on the bench for a good stretch.
The first match up against the Calgary Flames is just ahead on Monday night. I hope we take away the good and bad points from the last couple of games and focus on getting back to playing the hockey that had us riding a seven game winning streak. The game against Florida was a good start.
Coming Soon (probably tomorrow or Monday): my commentary on the ever-growing facial hair, courtesy of Movemeber and a chance to get out and vote for me in a Predators Blog-Off.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
11/25/09 - Nashville at Colorado: W 4-3 OT
In the spirit of the season, here's a list of things I'm thankful for as it relates to the Nashville Predators:
1. Shea Weber and his ability to fire cannons from the point with what seems like super human power behind it.
2. Martin Erat and his renewed sense of what it means to be a $5 million a year player.
3. David Legwand and his renewed sense of what it means to be a $5 million a year player.
4. Resiliency. We had to fight our back in it after a mostly awful second period.
5. Seven wins in a row, which is one shy of the longest winning streak in franchise history. I would really like to see the record broken this weekend.
6. Movember, for the simple fact that I love seeing how ridiculous their facial hair gets. Although I still maintain that some should never be allowed to grow any EVER...you know who you are.........
This was the game that I thought for sure we would lose and the second period had me believing that I was going to be right. I am so glad the boys proved me wrong.
I still keep waiting for the other skate to drop but until it does, I am thankful for a winning hockey team to be proud of night after night.
Happy Thanksgiving all!
1. Shea Weber and his ability to fire cannons from the point with what seems like super human power behind it.
2. Martin Erat and his renewed sense of what it means to be a $5 million a year player.
3. David Legwand and his renewed sense of what it means to be a $5 million a year player.
4. Resiliency. We had to fight our back in it after a mostly awful second period.
5. Seven wins in a row, which is one shy of the longest winning streak in franchise history. I would really like to see the record broken this weekend.
6. Movember, for the simple fact that I love seeing how ridiculous their facial hair gets. Although I still maintain that some should never be allowed to grow any EVER...you know who you are.........
This was the game that I thought for sure we would lose and the second period had me believing that I was going to be right. I am so glad the boys proved me wrong.
I still keep waiting for the other skate to drop but until it does, I am thankful for a winning hockey team to be proud of night after night.
Happy Thanksgiving all!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
11/23/09 - Detroit at Nashville: W 1-3
First of all, let me just say that I wasn't so sure I was going to get to type out a 'W' in the title of this post when I left for the game yesterday. With that being said, I am so happy I can.
THE GOOD:
Thank you, Red Wings! I love it when the other team helps us score goals. Yes, technically our first goal came from Jason Arnott but I don't buy it in the least. Myself and everyone else around me saw that puck go in on a deflection from a Red Wing player.
I love a good 'NSync song played during intermission. It makes my inner (waaaaaay down deep) boy band fan giddy.
Martin Erat's first power play goal made him look like Shea Weber. Wow, that goal was amazing. While we're at it, let's talk about his second power play goal. Wait, no...let's just talk about Erat in general. I have always been a pretty big Martin Erat fan, though we've had our ups and downs (mostly downs) here lately. Last night was a prime and exceptional example of all the reasons I love him.
THE BAD:
I felt like we were playing in awe of them for a while in the first though I'm not sure why. Due to all their injuries, half of their team are guys we've never heard of before.
The Red Wings, Todd Bertuzzi especially, did not like Jerred Smithson last night. One would assume that is actually good, all things considered, but I still hate it when one of the guys gets singled out on the ice shift after shift. It's not always fun to watch. However, Smithson played smart and drew two penalties in the midst of all the pestering. That's the mark of a good player right there.
What the heck was Pekka thinking coming that far out to play the puck? And then casually going to get his stick like it's no big deal and leaving the net unattended? Does he have that much confidence in our defensive core to make that okay?
I really didn't like that for most of the third period, we just seemed like we were playing to hold the lead instead of playing to WIN.
We were the victims of really bad timing on the line changes tonight. For a while, I thought Coach Trotz was experimenting with the line combos but our guys just couldn't get off the ice soon enough for the change.
THE UGLY:
The Red Wings injury report. That was just so sad to see. I can put myself in the shoes of a Red Wings fan for a second and be sympathetic to their unfortunate circumstances for the moment.
With the team riding high off the current wave of success, I hope that the boys stick to what they know best and continue to play Predators-style hockey. And also not get too cocky. As a fan but also a realist, I keep waiting for the skate to drop. We're bound to play a crap game soon, right? Right?! I mean, maybe not but someone pinch me because I must be dreaming.
THE GOOD:
Thank you, Red Wings! I love it when the other team helps us score goals. Yes, technically our first goal came from Jason Arnott but I don't buy it in the least. Myself and everyone else around me saw that puck go in on a deflection from a Red Wing player.
I love a good 'NSync song played during intermission. It makes my inner (waaaaaay down deep) boy band fan giddy.
Martin Erat's first power play goal made him look like Shea Weber. Wow, that goal was amazing. While we're at it, let's talk about his second power play goal. Wait, no...let's just talk about Erat in general. I have always been a pretty big Martin Erat fan, though we've had our ups and downs (mostly downs) here lately. Last night was a prime and exceptional example of all the reasons I love him.
THE BAD:
I felt like we were playing in awe of them for a while in the first though I'm not sure why. Due to all their injuries, half of their team are guys we've never heard of before.
The Red Wings, Todd Bertuzzi especially, did not like Jerred Smithson last night. One would assume that is actually good, all things considered, but I still hate it when one of the guys gets singled out on the ice shift after shift. It's not always fun to watch. However, Smithson played smart and drew two penalties in the midst of all the pestering. That's the mark of a good player right there.
What the heck was Pekka thinking coming that far out to play the puck? And then casually going to get his stick like it's no big deal and leaving the net unattended? Does he have that much confidence in our defensive core to make that okay?
I really didn't like that for most of the third period, we just seemed like we were playing to hold the lead instead of playing to WIN.
We were the victims of really bad timing on the line changes tonight. For a while, I thought Coach Trotz was experimenting with the line combos but our guys just couldn't get off the ice soon enough for the change.
THE UGLY:
The Red Wings injury report. That was just so sad to see. I can put myself in the shoes of a Red Wings fan for a second and be sympathetic to their unfortunate circumstances for the moment.
With the team riding high off the current wave of success, I hope that the boys stick to what they know best and continue to play Predators-style hockey. And also not get too cocky. As a fan but also a realist, I keep waiting for the skate to drop. We're bound to play a crap game soon, right? Right?! I mean, maybe not but someone pinch me because I must be dreaming.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Your Morning Jed: Red Wings Edition
There is nothing like the dedication of a sports fan to his/her team. The loyalty runs deep, even in the toughest of times. That same passion for their favorite team is flipped on its head when it comes to the utter disdain of the team's biggest rival.
Some fans will go to great lengths to make sure everyone around them knows where their loyalties lie. Never in my life have I seen such a permanent representation of this...until now.
Ladies and gentlemen, for your viewing pleasure, a pretty awesome, tongue-in-cheek, anti-Red Wings tattoo:
Now THAT'S dedication to a cause.
Some fans will go to great lengths to make sure everyone around them knows where their loyalties lie. Never in my life have I seen such a permanent representation of this...until now.
Ladies and gentlemen, for your viewing pleasure, a pretty awesome, tongue-in-cheek, anti-Red Wings tattoo:
Now THAT'S dedication to a cause.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
11/21/09 - Columbus at Nashville: W 3-4 SO
THE GOOD:
Some assumed this was the clash of the Calder Trophy winner vs. The Should Have Won Calder Trophy winner....and they might have been right. The fact that this game went to a shootout was about as epic of a ending as it could have been.
JP Dumont with a power play goal, and we took three shots on net in the midst of it.
I am totally loving the fact that we are staying disciplined. Love it, love it, love it.
Leggy with a shortie!!!! Unbelievable. He and Erat made it look too easy.
Two PP goals before the third even started?! Umm, yes please.
Awesome shift by the fourth line at about 6 minutes into the second. Patric Hornqvist wanted a goal so bad even I could taste it for him. I loved it. He finally showed up again. I only wish he had been able to put one away.
Our PK'ers are some of the hardest working guys in the universe. First line was out there for the entire 1:16 left in the third. I KNOW those were some tired boys.
Mike Santorelli is quickly becoming my favorite little shootout boy.
David Legwand had an exceptional night. Anyone want to believe that it was directly related to his brand new baby?
THE BAD:
Poor Santorelli and Hornqvist got stuck on a line with Belak. What exactly did they do wrong? Go to the net? Clearly, that is not our style and therefore they must be punished.
Columbus comes right back to answer our game timing goal in the first less than 15 seconds later. Not happy...we did this a lot last season. Time to fix it, boys.
That Wade Belak hooking penalty in the second should have been called a racking penalty. He totally shoved his stick in that guy's bluejackets. It also resulted in a CBJ goal. Dumb penalty, Wade. DUMB.
Not another shootout. And yet, Mike Santorelli somehow makes it okay.
THE UGLY:
The whistling has GOT to stop. It's so bad now. BUT I did figure out where a couple of them were tonight ....so watch out, whistlers! I'm coming for you and I've got a healthy supply of crackers in case you get hungry.
THE SAD:
My surrogate son has officially been assigned to Milwaukee. On one hand, I'm sad. On the other, it will be a good conditioning stint for him. I just hope he goes down there and tears it up so he can come back up here and tear it up with the big boys.
For as much of a rivalry we have with Columbus, the fear and loathing of the Detroit Red Wings goes much deeper. One epic match up begets another epic match up, I guess. Tomorrow night's game is our only nationally televised game of the season. The puck drops at 6:00pm on VS (channel 50 for Comcast customers in the Nashville area). The only thing I don't want to see tomorrow is another shootout. I can't take three in a row, I just can't.
Some assumed this was the clash of the Calder Trophy winner vs. The Should Have Won Calder Trophy winner....and they might have been right. The fact that this game went to a shootout was about as epic of a ending as it could have been.
JP Dumont with a power play goal, and we took three shots on net in the midst of it.
I am totally loving the fact that we are staying disciplined. Love it, love it, love it.
Leggy with a shortie!!!! Unbelievable. He and Erat made it look too easy.
Two PP goals before the third even started?! Umm, yes please.
Awesome shift by the fourth line at about 6 minutes into the second. Patric Hornqvist wanted a goal so bad even I could taste it for him. I loved it. He finally showed up again. I only wish he had been able to put one away.
Our PK'ers are some of the hardest working guys in the universe. First line was out there for the entire 1:16 left in the third. I KNOW those were some tired boys.
Mike Santorelli is quickly becoming my favorite little shootout boy.
David Legwand had an exceptional night. Anyone want to believe that it was directly related to his brand new baby?
THE BAD:
Poor Santorelli and Hornqvist got stuck on a line with Belak. What exactly did they do wrong? Go to the net? Clearly, that is not our style and therefore they must be punished.
Columbus comes right back to answer our game timing goal in the first less than 15 seconds later. Not happy...we did this a lot last season. Time to fix it, boys.
That Wade Belak hooking penalty in the second should have been called a racking penalty. He totally shoved his stick in that guy's bluejackets. It also resulted in a CBJ goal. Dumb penalty, Wade. DUMB.
Not another shootout. And yet, Mike Santorelli somehow makes it okay.
THE UGLY:
The whistling has GOT to stop. It's so bad now. BUT I did figure out where a couple of them were tonight ....so watch out, whistlers! I'm coming for you and I've got a healthy supply of crackers in case you get hungry.
THE SAD:
My surrogate son has officially been assigned to Milwaukee. On one hand, I'm sad. On the other, it will be a good conditioning stint for him. I just hope he goes down there and tears it up so he can come back up here and tear it up with the big boys.
For as much of a rivalry we have with Columbus, the fear and loathing of the Detroit Red Wings goes much deeper. One epic match up begets another epic match up, I guess. Tomorrow night's game is our only nationally televised game of the season. The puck drops at 6:00pm on VS (channel 50 for Comcast customers in the Nashville area). The only thing I don't want to see tomorrow is another shootout. I can't take three in a row, I just can't.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Your Morning Jed
I don't know about you but I see a pretty strong resemblance here.
Seriously, they could be brothers.
In other news, kick some serious Bluejacket butt tonight, boys.
Seriously, they could be brothers.
In other news, kick some serious Bluejacket butt tonight, boys.
Friday, November 20, 2009
11/19/09 - New Jersey at Nashville: W 2-3 SO
Ladies and Gentlemen, we’ve finally got ourselves a hockey team. And as much as it pains me to say this, we’ve got ourselves a number one goaltender now too.
Three things:
1. I still (and will ALWAYS) hate shootouts. It’s a lot of stress on me and my emotions at the end of an already epic game. For the record, putting Martin Erat up to close it out does not help either. BUT, if he’s going to score goals like he did last night, then I guess I can be okay with it.
2. Our penalty kill is starting to look really solid. I was worried there for a while because we were thrown off with the loss of guys like Fiddler and Nichol. I’m feeling a lot more confident about our ability to stave off goals while the opposing team has a man-advantage. And not to intentionally call out the same person twice, but Martin Erat found a little defensive minded plays somewhere down deep within his pirouetting self.
3. On the flip side of the penalty kill, we seemed to be gelling better on the power play as well. We still take way too long to set it up sometimes but at least we’ve managed to push ourselves enough to not be the worst in the league anymore and I’m totally cool with that.
The Predators Central division rival, the Columbus Bluejackets, roll into town on Saturday night for the first matchup of the season. Things I am expecting: at least one fight (Jordin Tootoo and/or Wade Belak will most decidedly want a go at someone) and the Cellblock to taunt Steve Mason mercilessly.
This should be fun.
Three things:
1. I still (and will ALWAYS) hate shootouts. It’s a lot of stress on me and my emotions at the end of an already epic game. For the record, putting Martin Erat up to close it out does not help either. BUT, if he’s going to score goals like he did last night, then I guess I can be okay with it.
2. Our penalty kill is starting to look really solid. I was worried there for a while because we were thrown off with the loss of guys like Fiddler and Nichol. I’m feeling a lot more confident about our ability to stave off goals while the opposing team has a man-advantage. And not to intentionally call out the same person twice, but Martin Erat found a little defensive minded plays somewhere down deep within his pirouetting self.
3. On the flip side of the penalty kill, we seemed to be gelling better on the power play as well. We still take way too long to set it up sometimes but at least we’ve managed to push ourselves enough to not be the worst in the league anymore and I’m totally cool with that.
The Predators Central division rival, the Columbus Bluejackets, roll into town on Saturday night for the first matchup of the season. Things I am expecting: at least one fight (Jordin Tootoo and/or Wade Belak will most decidedly want a go at someone) and the Cellblock to taunt Steve Mason mercilessly.
This should be fun.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Your Morning Jed
What's "Your Morning Jed", you ask?
A new feature where I can post brief hockey-related tidbits on a regular, but not necessarily every morning, basis. I've been forwarded a lot of funny stuff from other people over the past few weeks and I realized as it continues, I should start sharing it with other people.
The Inaugural Morning Jed comes to you by way of @chasingbec, a fellow hockey fan, close friend and native Louisianaian.
Her explanation for this video was short and sweet:
"This is why Louisiana shouldn't have hockey".
As for an explanation of the title of this new feature...just go with it, okay?
Happy Wednesday all!
A new feature where I can post brief hockey-related tidbits on a regular, but not necessarily every morning, basis. I've been forwarded a lot of funny stuff from other people over the past few weeks and I realized as it continues, I should start sharing it with other people.
The Inaugural Morning Jed comes to you by way of @chasingbec, a fellow hockey fan, close friend and native Louisianaian.
Her explanation for this video was short and sweet:
"This is why Louisiana shouldn't have hockey".
As for an explanation of the title of this new feature...just go with it, okay?
Happy Wednesday all!
11/17/09 - San Jose at Nashville: W 3-4
THE GOOD:
Jordin Tootoo has gotten a lot better at drawing penalties rather than taking them. I can't fault the boy for that.
I totally called a Scott Nichol or Jed Ortmeyer goal as the first of the night for the Sharks. As beloved former Predators, I just can not bring myself to be mad at them and so, this remains in the "good" section.
Kevin Klein...that check towards the end of the first period was hardcore. Even the casual hockey fan knew that was freaking awesome.
Two power play goals in ONE game?! I can't quite believe it.
David Legwand, Jerred Smithson and Joel Ward were all respectively and equally awesome last night. Who (besides Trotz) in a million years would have put the three of them on the same line and for a moment believed they would be able to make plays like they have been? Not me, that's for sure. Have we finally seen the end of the Legwand-Erat era?
We are continuing to stay disciplined against the Sharks. I love that.
We shouldn't have had to kill off that dumb penalty called on Ryan Suter. Fortunately for us, we KILLED it...in every sense of the word. One of the best PKs I've seen from us all season.
THE BAD:
I miss Jed Ortmeyer. So so much.
I yelled at Jerred Smithson early in the first period for a stupid play at the front of the San Jose net. I NEVER yell at Smithson but he really could have had a goal if he had been paying more attention to his linemates at the time.
Jason Arnott has quietly dominated the faceoff dot so far this season. Too bad he hasn't dominated much else.
The Sharks finally got pissed with about two minutes left in the second. Unfortunately, whatever they were doing was able to get to us thus resulting in their second goal of the night. I don't know what they did exactly to turn the tide a bit in their favor but we need to figure out a way to stop it in the future.
Patric Hornqvist was relatively non-existent in this game and Saturday's. What has happened to the Swede? Bad line pairings? Not enough ice time?
So you'll probably notice I don't have a "THE UGLY" section this time. Well, for the first time all season, there wasn't anything about our game that I felt was ugly enough to point out. We are finally playing like a team. Yes, there are still mistakes being made and the occasional off shift here or there but the mistakes and the off shifts aren't nearly as noteworthy as they have been. I will remain cautious however, knowing that we had an ebb and flow much like this last season. What I need to see is consistency and it is going to take longer than a week or two of well played games to convince me that we are definitely on the right track this time around.
Jordin Tootoo has gotten a lot better at drawing penalties rather than taking them. I can't fault the boy for that.
I totally called a Scott Nichol or Jed Ortmeyer goal as the first of the night for the Sharks. As beloved former Predators, I just can not bring myself to be mad at them and so, this remains in the "good" section.
Kevin Klein...that check towards the end of the first period was hardcore. Even the casual hockey fan knew that was freaking awesome.
Two power play goals in ONE game?! I can't quite believe it.
David Legwand, Jerred Smithson and Joel Ward were all respectively and equally awesome last night. Who (besides Trotz) in a million years would have put the three of them on the same line and for a moment believed they would be able to make plays like they have been? Not me, that's for sure. Have we finally seen the end of the Legwand-Erat era?
We are continuing to stay disciplined against the Sharks. I love that.
We shouldn't have had to kill off that dumb penalty called on Ryan Suter. Fortunately for us, we KILLED it...in every sense of the word. One of the best PKs I've seen from us all season.
THE BAD:
I miss Jed Ortmeyer. So so much.
I yelled at Jerred Smithson early in the first period for a stupid play at the front of the San Jose net. I NEVER yell at Smithson but he really could have had a goal if he had been paying more attention to his linemates at the time.
Jason Arnott has quietly dominated the faceoff dot so far this season. Too bad he hasn't dominated much else.
The Sharks finally got pissed with about two minutes left in the second. Unfortunately, whatever they were doing was able to get to us thus resulting in their second goal of the night. I don't know what they did exactly to turn the tide a bit in their favor but we need to figure out a way to stop it in the future.
Patric Hornqvist was relatively non-existent in this game and Saturday's. What has happened to the Swede? Bad line pairings? Not enough ice time?
So you'll probably notice I don't have a "THE UGLY" section this time. Well, for the first time all season, there wasn't anything about our game that I felt was ugly enough to point out. We are finally playing like a team. Yes, there are still mistakes being made and the occasional off shift here or there but the mistakes and the off shifts aren't nearly as noteworthy as they have been. I will remain cautious however, knowing that we had an ebb and flow much like this last season. What I need to see is consistency and it is going to take longer than a week or two of well played games to convince me that we are definitely on the right track this time around.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
11/14/09 - Montreal at Nashville: W 0-2
THE GOOD:
First game stat of the night: Jerred Smithson is tied with Patric Hornqvist for a team leading +4 on the season. Umm, hello amazingness. Keep it up, boys.
Okay, the Gnash surprising people with the airhorn video was hysterical. Good work, in game crew.
Steve Sullivan's performance all night long. After that first goal he scored off his own rebound and then the no-goal that happened in the midst of the goaltender interference call on Jason Arnott, I could tell that Sullivan was just feigning to post another goal. I love seeing a player stay hungry like that throughout the entire game.
Carey Price's performance. He single-handely tried to keep his team in the game last night. He most assuredly deserved the third star of the night and I was more than happy to applaud his effort.
Before the game, Coach Trotz said that he wanted to see us play four line hockey and we did exactly that. There wasn't one line that didn't contribute offensively. We just played a solid game.
The SOG count was ridiculous. I still can't believe how unbelievably lopsided it was. 24-4 after the first; 42-10 after the second; 55-20 at the end of the game. Not only did the Predators set a new record for most SOG in one period with 24 but we then set a new record for most SOG in one game with 55. There were 10 blocked shots and 13 missed shots. I don't know about you, but that's what I call OFFENSE. We are finally getting our act together.
THE BAD:
Luckiest non-goal all season so far: the scary chance Montreal had that I'm not sure how Pekka stopped.
Major stick issues for both teams. We probably could have had a couple extra goals if it wasn't for the guys out there with no sticks to help them.
The entire Duggar family (of TLC's '18 Kids and Counting' fame) was at the game last night and I didn't figure this out until the last few minutes of the third period. That family fascinates me. If they were filming for their show, that could be some good marketing and publicity for us.
THE UGLY:
Whistles are the bane of my existence. Tootoo and otherwise.
The clearly four shades whiter paint they used to cover up the NHL faceoff logo on either side of the blueline. From what I hear, you can't see it on TV but wow, that was one of the worst coverup jobs I've seen ever. Did our ice crew just not have enough time to do a proper job with the CMA awards taking over the Sommet?
Yes we scored on the 5-on-3 but our power play still sucks.
Adding in THE FUNNY:
Carey Price ducked in net in the midst of having Shea Weber fire a cannon of a shot at him from the point. I was trying to figure out how long it would be before I would see that happen. I laughed so hard when I saw it. At that point, Price had probably had enough and if I were him, I'm sure I would have ducked too.
Also, this: @PredFans @predsradio: Pekka on the post-game show: "I had so few shots in the first I should have brought my iPod!" LOL.
This was the first game of a five game homestand and I am very happy that we started it out with such a strong performance. Tuesday night, the San Jose Sharks are in town for face off number 2 of the season. Seeing as how last Thursday's loss to the Sharks was such a bummer, I know the boys will be raring to go and ready to snatch two points back from San Jose. If we keep throwing pucks on net like we did last night, Tuesday's game should be just as well played as what I saw last night.
First game stat of the night: Jerred Smithson is tied with Patric Hornqvist for a team leading +4 on the season. Umm, hello amazingness. Keep it up, boys.
Okay, the Gnash surprising people with the airhorn video was hysterical. Good work, in game crew.
Steve Sullivan's performance all night long. After that first goal he scored off his own rebound and then the no-goal that happened in the midst of the goaltender interference call on Jason Arnott, I could tell that Sullivan was just feigning to post another goal. I love seeing a player stay hungry like that throughout the entire game.
Carey Price's performance. He single-handely tried to keep his team in the game last night. He most assuredly deserved the third star of the night and I was more than happy to applaud his effort.
Before the game, Coach Trotz said that he wanted to see us play four line hockey and we did exactly that. There wasn't one line that didn't contribute offensively. We just played a solid game.
The SOG count was ridiculous. I still can't believe how unbelievably lopsided it was. 24-4 after the first; 42-10 after the second; 55-20 at the end of the game. Not only did the Predators set a new record for most SOG in one period with 24 but we then set a new record for most SOG in one game with 55. There were 10 blocked shots and 13 missed shots. I don't know about you, but that's what I call OFFENSE. We are finally getting our act together.
THE BAD:
Luckiest non-goal all season so far: the scary chance Montreal had that I'm not sure how Pekka stopped.
Major stick issues for both teams. We probably could have had a couple extra goals if it wasn't for the guys out there with no sticks to help them.
The entire Duggar family (of TLC's '18 Kids and Counting' fame) was at the game last night and I didn't figure this out until the last few minutes of the third period. That family fascinates me. If they were filming for their show, that could be some good marketing and publicity for us.
THE UGLY:
Whistles are the bane of my existence. Tootoo and otherwise.
The clearly four shades whiter paint they used to cover up the NHL faceoff logo on either side of the blueline. From what I hear, you can't see it on TV but wow, that was one of the worst coverup jobs I've seen ever. Did our ice crew just not have enough time to do a proper job with the CMA awards taking over the Sommet?
Yes we scored on the 5-on-3 but our power play still sucks.
Adding in THE FUNNY:
Carey Price ducked in net in the midst of having Shea Weber fire a cannon of a shot at him from the point. I was trying to figure out how long it would be before I would see that happen. I laughed so hard when I saw it. At that point, Price had probably had enough and if I were him, I'm sure I would have ducked too.
Also, this: @PredFans @predsradio: Pekka on the post-game show: "I had so few shots in the first I should have brought my iPod!" LOL.
This was the first game of a five game homestand and I am very happy that we started it out with such a strong performance. Tuesday night, the San Jose Sharks are in town for face off number 2 of the season. Seeing as how last Thursday's loss to the Sharks was such a bummer, I know the boys will be raring to go and ready to snatch two points back from San Jose. If we keep throwing pucks on net like we did last night, Tuesday's game should be just as well played as what I saw last night.
Friday, November 13, 2009
11/12/09 - Nashville at St. Louis: W 3-1
Here's something I noticed last night that gives me hope for the future of the team this season:
When Jordin Tootoo scored the second goal of the night (and the eventual game winner), the enthusiasm of the guys on the ice and on the bench was almost as if they had taken a lead in a playoff game. It is this kind of celebratory emotion that I am used to seeing from the Predators I know and love. And it is this kind of enthusiasm and excitement that I hope to see continue throughout the rest of the games this season.
It always tends to take a little while for the team to find their identity from season to season. After watching last night's game, I am beginning to believe this group of guys has finally found theirs. Having Mom (JP Dumont), Dad (Jason Arnott) and Uncle Steve (Sullivan) back together for the first time since Game 1 might have also had a little something to do with it.
Production is coming from more than just the top line and as it stands now, there are only two players on the current roster that have not scored a goal for us yet this season. There was a time in the not-so-distant past that the above statement would have been balked at by most. Honestly, I'm just happy to see that we are scoring more than one goal a game right now. The fact that most every player has scored for us at some point is like a big pile of frosting on this cupcake.
By no means am I trying to call the season now, ready to confidently state that we will easily make it into the playoffs come April. I am well aware of the uphill battle we have left to fight. The Predators have quite consistently remained one of the teams dubbed the underdogs of the NHL. I definitely don't expect our status to suddenly change after a few well played games. However, this is the team I have been waiting to see since the start of the season.
Now that they're here, I have reason to hope.
When Jordin Tootoo scored the second goal of the night (and the eventual game winner), the enthusiasm of the guys on the ice and on the bench was almost as if they had taken a lead in a playoff game. It is this kind of celebratory emotion that I am used to seeing from the Predators I know and love. And it is this kind of enthusiasm and excitement that I hope to see continue throughout the rest of the games this season.
It always tends to take a little while for the team to find their identity from season to season. After watching last night's game, I am beginning to believe this group of guys has finally found theirs. Having Mom (JP Dumont), Dad (Jason Arnott) and Uncle Steve (Sullivan) back together for the first time since Game 1 might have also had a little something to do with it.
Production is coming from more than just the top line and as it stands now, there are only two players on the current roster that have not scored a goal for us yet this season. There was a time in the not-so-distant past that the above statement would have been balked at by most. Honestly, I'm just happy to see that we are scoring more than one goal a game right now. The fact that most every player has scored for us at some point is like a big pile of frosting on this cupcake.
By no means am I trying to call the season now, ready to confidently state that we will easily make it into the playoffs come April. I am well aware of the uphill battle we have left to fight. The Predators have quite consistently remained one of the teams dubbed the underdogs of the NHL. I definitely don't expect our status to suddenly change after a few well played games. However, this is the team I have been waiting to see since the start of the season.
Now that they're here, I have reason to hope.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
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 ImagesSadly, 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.
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.
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