One and Done...Again

That grossness you felt when you woke up this morning is not unlike the way you probably felt last Wednesday, after the Predators won decisively against Chicago in Game 3.  However, this time the feeling is that of playoff hockey hangover…and the only remedy is a nice, long summer without it.  Yes, the fat lady has sung and the Predators ended up on the wrong side of her aria once again this post-season.  Just as with forgetting what it feels like to be in the playoffs after a season without, there is a tendency to forget what it feels like to time and time again watch the team take that heart wrenching center ice handshake in front of their home crowd.  But, what’s done is done.  Time to pack it up and move forward; and for some, move on.

I am not going to rehash what happened last night.  If you were there or watching from home, you know exactly what went down.  I kept quiet after Saturday’s loss as well and it’s for a good reason.  Honestly, I just prefer to end the season on a positive note.  Critiquing and calls for improvement will come later.  For now, I think back to pre-season predictions for this team and how everyone had them sitting out of the playoffs again.  Then I think about the not-so-brilliant start in October and my own thoughts of whether or not this team had it in them to rise to the occasion.  And yet, they did just what everyone expected them not to do.  They fought through their own inadequacies and found ways to quell the doubters.  It is this spirit of resiliency and hard work that fuels my love of the team.  These guys are something special and I might be just as sad as they are that their season ended before they wanted it to.

Good game, boys.  Thank you for making this season what it was.

Your Morning Jed: Is Your Playoff Beard Trustworthy?

For all the guys out there growing your beards during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, here's a nice little timeline for you.  Because I know you were all just clamoring to know whether or not your facial hair makes you trustworthy.

Click on the picture for a larger view.  Sidney Crosby (well, his beard really) makes an appearance on the scale and probably not in the place you'd expect him to.

Happy Friday!

WCQF Round 1, Game 4 - Chicago at Nashville: L 3-0

Ugh. I don’t really want to talk about last night.  I blame the loss on Vince Vaughn.  It’s all his fault. 

Here’s what I will say though: All is not lost just because Chicago won.  The series is tied 2-2.  Anything is possible.  Games 3 and 4 have become mirror images of Games 1 and 2.  If Games 5 and 6 play out the same way, we are in for an entertaining seven game series, folks. 

Also, the power play is the suck. 

Keep your head in the game, boys…and don’t let Chicago run all over you just because they have Brian Campbell back in the lineup.  Remember how well you played against them the first three games?  Yeah, why don’t you match (and maybe exceed) that intensity the rest of the series, okay?  Don’t be content with one road win.  Go back to Chicago and take a second road win to fuel the fire for another bout on home ice Monday night.

As I said before Game 3, we’ll bring our A game if you bring yours.

Let’s go, boys!

WCQF Round 1, Game 3 - Chicago at Nashville: W 1-4

The morning after.  It’s never quite as thrilling as the events of the night before.  You’re tired.  Your body is quietly rebelling against you because you didn’t get enough sleep.  Your voice is well, hanging on, scratchy at best.  But these symptoms…they are the battle scars left from a night like last night.  Having missed the postseason last year, it is easy to forget just how exhilarating playoff hockey can be.  The building was electric before the puck even dropped.  So much so that I couldn’t hear a thing over the roar of the crowd.  There is nothing greater in the world of hockey than that.

From a TSN article about the game:  Nashville coach Barry Trotz said they could barely hear on the bench. The Blackhawks noticed the noise as well. "I really thought we lost all momentum in that second period, and they took the game over," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "I think the building was alive. It had some personality.

A little aside…during the second period TV timeout ovation, I took a moment to watch the players’ reaction from the bench.  It is the best feeling in the world to see how appreciative and almost in awe of the moment all of the guys were.  Every one of them kind of took a step back and just watched their fans cheering them on.  It made the moment all the more endearing for me.  I LOVE THIS TEAM.

The Bridgestone had a lot to be loud about.  Joel Ward drew first blood and even though Chicago came back to tie things up for a bit, Nashville remained on top for the duration.  Though the final score reads just like it did last Friday, there were no empty netters this time.  The Predators controlled the game from start to finish; goaltending was unbelievable, the defense leveled everything in its sight, and the offense came from (somewhat) unlikely sources.

Last night was a terrific night to be a hockey fan in Nashville.  I can’t wait to do it all over again tomorrow.

Photo by Frederick Breedon/NHLI via Getty Images

WCQF Round 1, Game 2 - Nashville at Chicago: L 0-2

The Predators returned home late last night, having split the series between the Blackhawks 1-1.  I think it’s pretty safe to say that they are happy with that outcome, after finally winning a game on the road.  Though I am quite positive Barry Trotz and the rest of the coaching staff realizes there is still plenty of work to be done if this team wants to up their compete level for Tuesday night. 

After Friday’s game, much was said from Chicago’s camp about needing to change some things on the ice in order to get the desired results out of the team.   Joel Quenneville made those adjustments during the Blackhawks’ practice on Saturday and it was evident the team took those changes very seriously during the game last night.  In fact, it almost seemed as though Chicago took Nashville’s game from Friday night and threw it back at them last night; which unfortunately proved a very successful strategy for them.  Not that Nashville played a horrible game, because they still played as defensive minded as they did the first go around.  Had that not been the case, the score would have been much, much higher.  It’s just, Chicago was on to them and since the Predators didn’t make any changes to their lineup (Hornqvist not withstanding) it was much easier for the Blackhawks to read and anticipate the plays.

So it’s back to the drawing board and the video sessions today.  The Predators are going to have to focus on maintaining some discipline and forego letting their emotions get the best of them.  The playoffs do foster a heightened state of awareness, physicality and emotion but the boys need to remember how to control themselves.  Taking stupid penalties definitely won’t help you win a hockey game.  It will be interesting to see how the team responds tomorrow.

Let’s go, boys!  We’ll bring our A game if you bring yours.

WCQF Round 1, Game 1 - Nashville at Chicago: W 4-1

The little engine that could finally did.  After four years of heading to the post season and consistently finding themselves on the losing side of away games, the Nashville Predators fought their way to a decisive victory over the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center last night.  And for once, the best little NHL team you've probably never heard of got some recognition for a job well done.  Job well done, indeed.

The first period ended, as usual, with a score of 0-0.  The Predators ended so many first periods that same way during the regular season that it was absolutely of no surprise to me that it would happen again in the first game of their post season.  This is not to say that the period wasn't a solid one, however.  Once you realize that these two teams hadn't played each other since December 26th, you had to figure both would spend quite a bit of time re-familiarizing themselves with each other's game. Chicago came out hard and put what seemed to me an unending amount of pressure on Pekka Rinne.  The Predators were able to settle things down a bit and start taking control of the game.  The true stars of the first period were definitely Pekka and every grinder player who blocked shot after shot that Chicago threw at the net.

In true Predators fashion, the second period fell a little flat.  Letting Chicago get that first (but ultimately, ONLY) goal took some wind out of their sails.  Especially since it was such an easy rebound giveaway from Pekka.  After seeing how he played in the first period, that goal was a hard pill to swallow.  The mood after forty minutes of play was tentative, at best, with everyone silently hoping that first goal by Chicago would not become the catalyst for a blowout third period.

But oh, the third period.  Twenty minutes of hockey filled with scoring, except this time, all four goals came from the Predators.   JP Dumont, a scorer who struggled a bit in the regular season, got things started and then kept things going by scoring two goals while crashing the net.  For a player whom so many expect to pass the puck rather than take the shot, scoring two goals for the team was a pleasant, albeit slightly shocking, surprise.  Once the boys had the 2-1 lead over Chicago, their style of play took an unfamiliar turn.  They weren't just playing to protect their lead, they were playing to win.  I saw it in their tenacity to stay with the puck.  Every last guy on that team became a defensive threat against Chicago.  They shut down the Blackhawks chances for scoring at every pass.  The team was playing with a determined confidence I had not seen before.  When Antti Niemi finally left his post at net, I was more than a little concerned that Chicago would find a way to tie things up.  And yet, the boys continued to play to win instead of playing fearful, tentative hockey.  The empty netters by Jerred Smithson (his first career post-season goal!) and Martin Erat (who cracked me up with his casual "watch this, Chicago" style goal) were delicious mounds of frosting on top of the massive cupcake of awesome that was the final minute of play.

Using that same philosophy he employs after horrible losses, however, Coach Trotz still managed to throw in the "moving on" mentality after last night.  And honestly, that's exactly what this team needs to do.  They can't go into Sunday night's game thinking it will be just like what happened last night.  These are the playoffs and Chicago is still Chicago.  They didn't make it to here by chance.  The Blackhawks are going to come out hard and it is going to be the Predators job to match their play again.

Not that I'm trying to take anything away from what this team managed to accomplish last night.  I'm still basking in the afterglow.  It's about time this team gets a little respect.   Steve Sullivan might possibly have summed it up best when he told Pierre LeBrun, "We're not the pretty choice.  We're not the favorite choice, we're not the exciting brand of hockey that the Chicago Blackhawks are, but we've got a quiet little swagger within this dressing room."

A quiet little swagger?  Couldn't have said it better myself.

Civil War Vet Supports Local Hockey Team

Yes, it's playoff time in Smashville and it seems everyone is getting Fang Fever. Sporting a visor (courtesy of a.d. vallet and co, naturally), a Gnash pom-pon and wearing a Nashville Predators fleece blanket like a cape, this soldier of the Confederacy has his Predator Pride on full display for all his Centennial Park visitors.

Huge thanks to Eric Shuff for the tip.

Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead: It's Playoff Time

Well, where do I begin? Sickness and life got in the way of me talking about hockey at all last week.  The only thing I have to say about the game against Phoenix is: eww, yuck.  Completely disappointed in that game and not at all shocked that Coach Trotz called out his role players for not playing their roles.  I mean, don’t get me wrong, I love me some role players.  But when they were a direct reason goals were scored that shouldn’t have been (Jerred Smithson, I’m looking at you), it is a problem that needs to be called out and addressed.

The regular season finale against the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night should not have been as hard fought as it appeared to be.  The fact that the game had to be decided in a shootout is beyond me.  Were the guys that tired that they couldn’t muster up enough energy to get it done in 60 minutes?  Or was it the lack of energy from the home crowd that affected their play?  Please tell me I’m not the only one who noticed that the Blues fans were more vocal at times than the whole of the arena.  Because they were.  It was all of their ruckus that reminded me again why I have yet to meet a St. Louis Blues fan I like; although I’m sure fellow hockey lover and Blues fan, Jon Hamm, could change my mind.  While it was good to grab one more win on the score sheet before heading into the post season, it would have been nice to see more than the lackluster effort I saw.  The unexpected five day break before the beginning of round one could be just what the doctor ordered in terms of the guys getting their energy back.

Now onto the post season preview…but first: how many people were freaking out at the thought of having to play San Jose YET AGAIN in the playoffs?  Thankfully, things worked out differently for the team this year though Sunday was kind of crazy with all the scoreboard watching going on.  It kind of sucks being dependent on other teams to determine where you fall in the standings but it is what it is.  And secretly all along, I wanted the Predators to be paired up with Blackhawks in the first round.  Yes, I know there are a lot of people that have been predicting this year’s Chicago Blackhawks team will go all the way this post season, facing off against the heavily favored Washington Capitals in the East.  This could still be true but matching up against Chicago was the most advantageous pairing for the Predators, in my opinion.  The travel is the least grueling of all the other possible matchups, with the flight between the two cities just under an hour and a half.  Since Nashville and Chicago are both in the Central Time Zone, there will be no need for internal adjustments to a different time coming or going.  This bodes well for keeping the team’s energy level up.  Now, I get that everything favorable for the Predators is just as favorable for the Blackhawks but they are still factors to consider.  I also like the chances for a franchise first post-season road win against the Blackhawks.  The United Center, even when full of fans, is still not nearly as intimidating of a building to play in as the HP Pavilion in San Jose or the Joe in Detroit.  More than that, I don’t think the Predators have let the Blackhawks become a team they feel they can’t win against.  In years past, you’ve heard the coaching staff and players alike say things like “We play in awe of Detroit instead of playing with them.”  As far as I know, the same has not been said of Chicago.  The Predators can beat a team like the Blackhawks.  It won’t be easy, mind you, but it can be done.

Let’s go, boys!

Playoffs, baby!!

The Predators are headed to the playoffs!  I can not begin to tell you how much better it feels to be saying this after the disappointment that was the end of the regular season just a year ago.  Not only did the Predators clinch a spot in the Western Conference Quarterfinals, they did it on their own and with two games still left to play.  There will be no nail-biting-edge-of-your-seat game watching this time around, wondering if the team can pull it off or hoping another team’s loss/win blows the winds of favor towards Nashville.  The biggest question left to ponder is where exactly the team ends up in the standings.  Will they be able to somehow hold down their spot at 5 and finally face a new first round opponent?  I’d like to think so but I am an optimistic realist.  Anything can happen, quite honestly.  The Predators could drop their final two games and end up seeded eighth in the conference should Colorado hang on and win all four of their games remaining.  And while we’re talking numbers, does anyone else find it baffling that the Predators are the ONLY team in the entire league to have already hit 80 games played by Saturday?  How did that schedule get decided?  Who had it out for Nashville last summer?  At any rate, the boys must be extremely grateful for the three day break they get before playing Phoenix on Wednesday night.  They definitely deserve it.  Maybe these few days off will serve them well, leaving the players rested up and raring to go against the Coyotes. 

In the meantime, the fans will have to be content with their scoreboard watching; hoping every other game where the outcome affects the Predators standing in the top 8 goes their way.  Because, really, if I have to see San Jose in the post-season ONE MORE TIME…

Also, check out this 2009-2010 season blooper reel from the Milwaukee Admirals. Pretty funny!

St. Louis at Nashville: W 2-3

The last two times the Predators have played the Blues, I was worried the outcomes would not be favorable for the team.  And yet, they found a way to fight back both times and give us thrilling victories just in the nick of time.  It feels really good to be on the winning side of things again this season.

I know on Twitter last night, there was some discussion about the three stars of the game and whether or not they were justly appointed as such.  To be honest, it’s just an accolade that doesn’t really matter all that much in the grand scheme of things.  With that being said, however, I thought the media was spot on. 

The third star of the night was given to Steve Sullivan, presumably because he scored the game winning goal in the third period.  In my mind, the reason he got the third star of the night is because HE FINALLY SCORED A GOAL ON A BREAKAWAY.  He’s more than capable of doing so on any given night but for some reason this season, breakaway goals were not his friend.  Right before he scored the eventual game winner, I was watching him break up the ice and I turned to my friend and said “Oh, great...Sullivan with a breakaway chance.  He won’t make it.  He never does.”.  Boy am I glad to be proven wrong for once.  That goal had to be so satisfying for him.  I know it was for me. 

The second star of the night belonged to my surrogate son, Colin Wilson.  First, I would like to pause and say that I really hope he doesn’t make it a habit of dropping his gloves.  I know he got into a few scrums during his time in Milwaukee but that’s different because I couldn’t see those fights.  In this case, seeing him throwdown with another player and getting subsequent blows to the head, sans helmet is never my idea of a good time.  If he only plans on being the rare fighter, a la Shea Weber and drop the gloves only when absolutely necessary, I’ll be okay with that.  I just hope he doesn’t buddy up to Wade Belak and start asking for pointers.  Back to the topic at hand, the reason behind his designation of the night’s second star most decidedly is because of this:  
I think my favorite thing about this goal was that it was scored with seconds to spare in the period.  There hasn't been a timely goal like that scored on home ice in quite a while and I always think those types of goals really rile up the crowd heading into the next period.  Seriously such a pretty, pretty goal. 

The first star of the night belonged to Patric Hornqvist.  Unlike the two other stars of the evening, he did not score a goal.  He just had a hand in all of them, racking up three assists.  From my own observations, Patric seemed to be on the ice for every shift last night.  Even though that was not the case, he was obviously on the ice for every shift that really counted.  For a player that was thought to be such a disappointment last season, he sure has turned things around.  If he and Colin Wilson can continue on the paths they’ve laid before themselves, this team could have some future superstars on their hands.

Mirroring last Saturday, the Music City heads to the Motor City tomorrow.  The Predators face off against the Red Wings for their final matchup of the regular season.  Detroit has won their last seven games and have inched closer and closer to Nashville in the standings.  A win for Detroit on Saturday afternoon would put them ahead of the Predators for the first time this season.  I know am not the only one who doesn’t want that to happen.

Let’s go, boys!