The Nashville Predators seem to have found their stride this season. Another home game, another win against a quality opponent. This time it was the San Jose Sharks who fell victim to the Preds in a 4-3 Nashville win. 13,324 watched on at the Sommet Center as the Preds carried the play for much of the game.
Felder’s FANTASTIC Five:
1. The Legwand Line - They were on tonight. While you may consider the Smithson, Legwand, Ward line a defensive shutdown line (and it is really) tonight they showed off their entire offensive prowess. Smithson, Ward, and Legwand all scored a goal and used a 2nd period surge off of their sticks to push the Preds ahead for good in this one. Combined they had 7 shots on goal, won 11 faceoffs, were a +3, and blocked 2 shots. Just a solid effort on both ends of the ice from this group.
2. Consistent Goaltending - Another solid outing from Pekka Rinne. Some tough goals against him, but the key was he didn't let in any softies. This type of consistency is no coincidence to the fact that Rinne has won the last 3 games he played in, and 7 of his last 8. Head to the Goalie Grade for his stats of the night.
3. Holding Strong in the 3rd Frame - Considering the opponent and their record as of late, to hold back San Jose in the 3rd period should be noted. Strong efforts from the D and Rinne kept the Sharks at bay (yes, I used the pun anyways) and secured the Preds another 2 points. While it certainly wasn't a spotless finish, it got the job done.
4. Another Solid Night of Shots on Goal - Another night with 30+ shots on goal. Some pretty even distribution through the skaters on this one. Arnott and Ward tied for a team leading 4 shots on goal, while Weber, Hornqvist, and Dumont had 3 apiece.
5. Yes, The Special Teams Did Well - I'll note it when it occurs. 2 power play goals off of 4 chances tonight. Also, the PK stopped the Sharks on their 2 power play opportunities. The Preds continue to have disciplined play throughout games. Tonight they only took 2 penalties and still lead the NHL in PIM/G average.
Other Notes:
* Tonight’s scratches were Wade Belak and Alexander Sulzer. For the San Jose Sharks, Devin Setoguchi, Jody Shelley, and Brad Staubitz were on the scratch list.
* 1ST PERIOD
* 7:09 to go. The Preds will have 53 seconds of 5 on 3 thanks to Doug Murray getting tabbed for tripping. Logan Couture was already in the box for a holding minor.
* 5 on 3 GOAL for NASHVILLE - 6:41 to go. Steve Sullivan sets up shop on the back door of Thomas Greiss' stick side. J.P. Dumont waited out the D just long enough and then found Sully for the one timer and resulting goal. Easy tally into the open top side. Well executed and easy to see that it should have happened from up here because nearly 10 seconds before it did I commented to Hockeybuzz's Julie Robenhymer that the back door was there. Sullivan (5) from Dumont (10). Preds take a 1-0 lead.
* SHORT HANDED GOAL for SAN JOSE - 5:37 to go. Scooter has returned everybody. Scott Nichol scores in the shorthanded fashion with a backhand deflection up and over Pekka Rinne's glove. Another former Pred, Jed Ortmeyer, had the set up as he laid the puck along the ice right at Rinne's 5-hole. Well set up and ever so weird to see Scooter score in the Sommet not wearing a Nashville uni. Nichol (1) from Ortmeyer (3) and Derek Joslin (2). This game is tied at 1 apiece.
* GOAL for NASHVILLE - 3:54 to go. David Legwand takes the puck down the right lane and draws a defender. With a nice cross ice pass he finds Jerred Smithson, how then wires home the puck 5-hole as Greiss repositioned for a shot. Smithson (4) from Legwand (5) and Ward (5). Preds edge up to a 2-1 lead.
* END OF THE 1ST PERIOD – NSH: 2 SJ: 1 Positives - Game leading 14 shots on goal compared to the Sharks 9. Funny to look at too because 14 different Pred skaters took a shot apiece. Only Erat, Suter, and Tootoo have yet to register a SOG. Negatives - Never good when you give up a shorthanded goal. 6 giveaways in that period alone.
* 2ND PERIOD
* POWER PLAY GOAL for NASHVILLE - 11:44 to go. Ryan Suter tees up a shot from the right point. He puts it low into traffic and Joel Ward deflects the puck in under Greiss' leg pads. Ward (3) from Suter (7) and Legwand (6). Preds now lead 3-1 after the man advantage goal.
* GOAL for NASHVILLE - 9:03 to go. Joel Ward battles for the puck in the corner to Greiss stick side. He notice David Legwand skating to the top of the faceoff circle and sets him up nicely for the one timer. Leggy wires one home high glove in what has to be the best looking goal he's scored in a very long time. Nice to see that side of him for the first time this season. Legwand (2) from Ward (6) and Weber (6). The Preds have built up a 4-1 lead.
* GOAL for SAN JOSE - 40.9 seconds to go. Jumbo Joe taps home a back door goal after an odd deflection off a leg goes right to his stick. Peks had no chance on this one. Thornton (6) from Frazer McLaren (2) and Benn Ferriero (3). Sharks cut the lead in half to 4-2.
* END OF THE 2ND PERIOD – NSH: 4 SJ: 2 Positives - The Legwand line is producing in this one. Won 60% of the faceoffs. Negatives - Not much actually. This time I'll say none (which is rare).
* 3RD PERIOD
* 1:32 remaining and the Sharks call a timeout to see if they can't chip away at the Preds two goal lead.
* GOAL for SAN JOSE. 52 seconds to go. With Greiss at the bench, the Sharks use an extra attacker and tally one. Joe Thornton found Patrick Marleau on the back door for a tap in. Now things get a tad interesting. Nice set up from the Sharks top line and they found a way to get behind the D. Marleau (13) from Thornton (20) and Heatley (10). The scoreboard now shows Preds 4, Sharks 3.
* Towards the end of the game there were two instances where the clock had to be reset. One instance occurred just before the San Jose Marleau tally, and the other with 3 seconds to go. Predators Head Coach Barry Trotz was quite upset over this after the game due to these delays essentially creating another time out for the Sharks players. I'm sure the off ice officials will be hearing it from Trotzy soon enough.
* FINAL SCORE – NSH - 4 SJ - 3.
My Three Stars:
1. Joel Ward - 1 goal, 2 assists, +1 rating, 4 shots on goal, 1 hit, 1 blocked shot, and won the only faceoff he took.
2. David Legwand - 1 game winning goal, 2 assists, a +1 rating, 2 shots on goal, and 1 blocked shot.
3. Ryan Suter - 2 assists and 2 blocked shots.
Goalie Grade:B – The starting goaltender tonight was Pekka Rinne. Another solid effort from Rinne despite the 3 goals against. All three of them were pretty much unstoppable and can't be blamed on Peks. He finished the night with 29 saves on 32 shots against.
Quotes:
Brandon Felder - "Your line is given more of a defensive role night in and night out. Do you feel like the key for the line in regards to offense is to know when to pick your times to jump in?"
Joel Ward - "You can say we're defensive, but if you play in the other teams end I don't consider that much defense. Obviously you try to get in their end as opposed to sitting back and letting them come to you and that's what we've been trying to do. We're not just trying to play the defensive side of the puck but the offensive side as well. Sully wears people down, and wears the defense down, and that's what we've been trying to accomplish and things are working pretty good as a line. We're just going to keep moving forward and keep working hard."
Felder - "In your mind what's been the biggest difference between now and when the team was going thru a bit of a rough patch earlier in the season?"
Ward - "Just confidence I think. Everyone's been playing with a little bit of confidence and feeling good about ourselves. We had a long road trip to get together and gel as a team with a little bit of off ice chemistry. It shows on the ice when guys are out there battling for each other and supporting each other with whatever the case may be and Weber's out there and everyone's showing more confidence and I think that's been the biggest difference in the last few games."
*
Felder - "Peks, in your mind, what has been the biggest difference between now and earlier in the season when you guys were going through a bit of a rough patch?"
Pekka Rinne - "I think it's the little things. Everybody is playing into our system and we are paying more attention. It's those lucky bounces too. I don't really want to say lucky but the puck didn't bounce our way and now it is. It's all those little things."
*
Felder - "You obviously rely on the Legwand line in a defensive role, but tonight they did well offensively. Is it more about picking your spots for that line?"
Barry Trotz - "We look at each team and say, 'What would be the best matchup?'. The other night against Montreal we had a group that would play against their top lines, and tonight we just went with the primary group. They stood with them and they played really well. I pick and choose a little bit depending on the opponent. Sometimes we match the D against their forwards. Sometimes we try to match the D and the forwards as a group. Suter, Weber, and Legwand's line played against the Marleau, Thornton, Heatley line, with Dan Boyle on the back end so it was power against power and that's what San Jose does. They don't really concern themselves with anybody. They just say we got more power than you and we're gonna go head to head."
Final Thoughts:
Another strong effort by the Preds. The first 5 minutes of the 1st and 2nd periods were the only parts of the night where I felt the Sharks were controlling the play. Other than that, it was all Preds in this one. This team really seems to be coming together and may have even found a winning groove. A winning streak is always nice, but it's been the effort and consistency throughout those games that gives everyone reason to think this team may just be able to make a push.
The Predators next game is Thursday night here at the Sommet Center. The road warriors known as the New Jersey Devils will be in town for a rare visit. This will be a really solid test for the Preds with an unfamiliar opponent who normally wins their road games. Normal faceoff time of 7 PM CST.
Till then, take care everyone.
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