Preds Absolutely Steal an OT Win from St. Louis Blues

WOW!!! Talk about a turn of events. The Preds were about to suffer a terrible loss that would have been the beginning of the end to any playoff hopes. Instead, a miracle goal with 3 seconds left to send the game to overtime and then a shootout victory should be a huge momentum boost and hopefully a sign of good things to come. You almost feel bad for Chris Mason and the Blues because they deserved better than a 4-3 overtime loss.


Other nuggets of info:

* Great to see Steve Sullivan get the game winner with the shootout goal. You could see the facial expression after the goal saying it was about time. Let's hope this is the springboard to many more goals the rest of the season

* Yes, Dan Hamhuis scored a goal but another catastrophic turnover led to a St. Louis goal. At some point the defensive lapses are going to far outweigh the puck moving and occasional goal/assist.

* How about the goal that was scored by a defenseman(Kevin Klein) with assists by 2 defensemen(Shea Weber and Ryan Suter). Shea Weber gets an assist while sitting on the bench!

* Pekka Rinne shakes off 2 bad luck goals by the Blues in regulation to stop all 3 in the shootout. He is so big in net I imagine the shooters feel there is no room for the puck to fit through.

What a magical win and when (optimistic thinking) the Preds do make the playoffs they can look back at this one as a big part of the run.

Boston Bruins in on Saturday after a game with the NJ Devils tonight. Let's hope those legs are still tired on Saturday.

Tough 5-3 Loss to Red Wings

Tough loss in the respect that the Preds battled back from a bad start to almost steal a point by going to overtime on a night where they were outplayed for the most part. It was disappointing to see the amount of respect the Preds showed by not attacking/challenging the Red Wing skaters. I don't understand how the Preds could come out flat and sitting back on their heels with the playoffs on the line and playing your arch-rival. Let's hope this doesn't have carry over to the St. Louis game Thursday, but based on the importance of getting points for the playoffs it should not. I expect the Preds to play a strong game and get 2 points against the Blues.

Other thoughts on the loss.......
* Did Pecca Rinne's sweater/jersey have a Preds logo or bullseye on the front? 50 total shots with 27 coming in the first period. Ouch!!! I think there was 1 Red Wing goal he would like back but to turn back 46 shots against a good Red Wing team is not a bad night's work.
* Kudos to Radek Bonk with a goal and being on the ice for all 3 Preds goals, keeping his strong play of late going.
* Just a thought but is it time to try Radek Bonk between Legwand/Erat? Bonk is playing well and Legwand had a great stint on the wing before the all star break. May be time to see if there is any magic there.
* Joel Ward adds his 7th and 8th goals of the season. It is nice to see him rewarded for all the work he does in the corners and playing on a check line against the opposition top line a lot of nights.
* Coach Trotz could have a tough decision coming up soon about Steve Sullivan if the assists/goals don't start flowing more. If he doesn't produce soon, Trotz will have to look at moving Erat or someone to the top line for max production of Arnott/Dumont.

Schedule Notes:
3 of next 6 games are against the Blues. If they take care of business against the last place team in the west, they will have 6 much needed points.
Preds catch Red Wings 2 more times(out of 9 games) in February

Special thanks to Russ & Megan for being the first to sign up as followers of the blog. They are my "top line".

Stage All Set for Pecca Rinne Return to Net

The 2 game stint of Dan Ellis in goal came to an end in the 4-1 loss to the Dallas Stars Sunday. With the game 2-1 in favor of the Stars and the Preds' Steve Sullivan in the box for a double minor high stick, Dan Ellis' attempt to clear the puck goes over the glass for a delay of game penalty resulting in a 5 on 3 Stars power play. Dallas scores and in essence game over.


Talk about a grand opportunity and spotlight for Pecca Rinne. Think about it. You are rested. The team needs you to stop the losing streak at 1 game to keep the second half run going. You return against the arch rival and a top NHL team in the Red Wings. You will face lots of skilled shots and a power play clicking at a rate of 27%. Slam the door and you are the man, solidifying even more your place as #1 and an emerging elite NHL goaltender. What an opportunity for Pecca to shine.


Other thoughts regarding 4-1 loss to Dallas Stars........

* Jason Arnott continues hot streak and solid year with another goal. The captain is really leading by example.
* Power play didn't tally but showed improvement in regards to quality chances, especially in the 2nd period. If they don't start getting the puck in the net on power plays though they can look back at the end of the year and easily find why they didn't make the playoffs.
* Short handed goal allowed and another full 2 minute 5 on 3 power play were hard to stomach and easily the reason they lost.
* Martin Erat -3 on the night, ouch!!!
* Lets go Steve Sullivan. It is time to produce the points, we need you.

Red Wings, then Blues, then Bruins. All at home thank goodness. If you give me a win over the Blues and 1 of the remaining 2 I would be tickled pink and take it right now. LETS GO PREDS!!

The Million Dollar Question?

Welcome back Dan Ellis! Dan's first game in some time turns out to be a strong performance with a 2-0 shut out win over the Minnesota Wild. It was not a game of super saves but Dan was solid in turning back 22 shots. Now coach Trotz has a tough decision on who plays in net Sunday. Pecca Rinne who has been spectacular in net for some time or Dan Ellis? There is an unwritten rule in hockey that a shutout means the goalie starts the next game. There were also rumblings during the Preds tough stretch before the all-star break that Dan Ellis was unhappy with playing time. If Trotz returns to Rinne in net, does it cause trouble in the locker room? Tune in Sunday against the Dallas Stars to see what happens.....

* How about Greg Zanon giving up the body to block 4 shots against the Wild. Ryan Suter also tossed in 4 but Zanon seemed to be sprawled on the ice all night trying to block shots. Awesome!
* The Wild really went after the Preds with hard checks pretty much the entire game but to the Preds credit they returned almost every check and didn't back down.
* Shea Weber with some monster hits again shows you better be careful when you come into the Preds offensive zone.
* Steve Sullivan dug one out of the boards that led to Arnott's game winning goal. Seems back is getting stronger and stronger as he is taking on more contact and actually went after Cal Clutterbuck at one point. I think it is only matter of time before he starts piling on the points.

Preds Hotter Than February Love

Sorry I didn't blog after the Coyotes game, been a little under the weather. Here are my thoughts concerning the last 2 games


Preds 2, Coyotes 1
Give Preds credit for gutting this one out on a night they were not at their best. But an ugly win is better than a pretty loss any day of the week. The main thing, 2 points in an outright win. The highlights:
* Super Duper Top Line gets another goal. Keep it together coach Trotz.
* Pecca Rinne was solid again and has a firm grip on the #1 goalie spot.
* Radek Bonk has been solid most of the year, but this was his strongest all-around game for the season. A nice goal and solid defense all night.

Preds 4, Ducks 2
Glad to see this one in person. A big win in front of a good Thursday night crowd. Good to see the support and the crowd really into the game. The good run since the all-star break has the excitement really building. Big developments in this one that bode well for the 2nd half of the season.
* Steve Sullivan seemed to take a step forward in confidence, skill and sticking his nose into trouble. A great behind the back pass, a nice backhand almost goal off the post, and a couple of body checks in the corners. All good signs.
* Pecca Rinne is approaching elite status among NHL goalies. He is now #6 in goals against average and #8 in save percentage. And growing in confidence with each start......
* Kudos to Kevin Klein for standing up and fighting in the absence of Belak and Tootoo. You know his teammates really respected him taking on Ryan Carter of the Ducks.
* Preds really stood up to a good, physical team. A solid game all the way around.
* A big part of the stagger/deficit in the standings has been made up quickly with winning 4 out of 5 out of the break. That leaves a little room if they have a bad couple of games. But right now they are not showing signs of slowing down.
* Back to Rinne- will he ever sit another game out? Keeps playing like he has, coach Trotz may prop him up in net and take his chances.

Pecca Rinne Shines in Win Over Edmonton, 2-1

Following what I have been saying for weeks, Pecca Rinne is a solid #1 NHL goalie and he is now the man in goal for the Predators. Nothing against Dan Ellis, but Rinne has size to offer so little shooting room, great footwork for his size, and a competitive streak to defend the net. If you score on him he tries twice as hard the next time to keep the puck out of the net. It is time to deal Ellis for some goal scoring help because he has true value to other teams.

Preds playoff chances? Looking better and better as Pecca Rinne gets more confidence with each additional victory. He can be good enough to bring them all the way back.

Other nuggets from the win over the Oilers:
* Another goal for my theory of making the super-duper top line versus spreading goal scorers across all 4 lines. J.P. Dumont adds an unassisted goal off a turnover, but that is still 4 goals in 3 games since Arnott/Sullivan/Dumont were put back together.
* Ryan Jones looks to be the right match for Legwand/Erat. They have been the most active line creating great scoring chances on the western Canada swing.
* 4 out of possible 6 points on the trip takes them to 47 for the year and a tie for 12th place in the west. Good start to 2nd half but a long way to go.

Two home games and a trip to Minnesota this week. Lets go Preds!!!!!!!!

Tough Loss to a Solid Calgary Flames Team

I thought at times tonight the Flames really dominated the game, handcuffing the Predators in the neutral zone not allowing them to get any offense going. The penalty box parade reared its ugly head again. Several undisciplined penalties and when the Preds really needed goals in the 3rd period they were down a man killing penalties. Other news of note:

* The Super Duper Top Line- my strategy proves right again with a goal by J.P. Dumont but that was about it. But that is what I think it produces, 1-2 goals per game.
* Tip your hat to Miikka Kiprusoff- he stoned the legitimate chances the Preds had to get back in the game
* One of the tougher games we have seen Shea Weber play- had some good chances to score but also had a terrible pass/turnover that led to Calgary's 2nd goal
* Pekka Rinne- continues very good play with some incredible saves to keep Preds in it. I thought 2 of the Flames' goals were not his fault. One was a 2 on 1 after a Preds bad pass and the other was a shot Aucoin almost fanned on but managed to shot a change up past Rinne.
* I thought Jones/Legwand/Erat line had a good night but couldn't get a goal. Very active, good chances most of the night. They had some of the only good shifts thru the middle part of the game when Calgary dominated the middle of the ice.
* Still have some concern over Sullivan. Still not sticking his nose into the action but maybe that will take a little longer before complete confidence in the back returns.

Off to Edmonton. A win on Sunday would be a great 4 point trip to start the 2nd half.