Nashville again had the series where they wanted it. Again, they blew their chance at winning the 3rd game of the series. A 5-4 OT win for the Chicago Blackhawks now puts Nashville in yet another Game 6 elimination. There hasn't been much success in those.
Felder’s FRUSTRATED Five:
1. Shooting the Puck - It's such a simple concept. Yet, the Preds have so much trouble with it sometimes. After games, they say the right things, talk about not making extra passes, and then in the game they don't practice what they preach. Mid-way thru the 2nd period the shots on goal read 20 for Chicago, and 5 for Nashville. 5. That's a friggin' joke. The Hawks D is good, but they aren't THAT good. After the 1st period, the Preds had 4 shots on goal. After the 2nd, 8 shots on goal. Somehow, the team was actually still in the game after 2 periods with a score of 3-2. They even found a way to get two of their 8 third period shots into the net to take a 4-3 lead. Of course, the Hawks did score with 13.6 seconds remaining to render those efforts neutralized. How the Hawks didn't put away the Preds earlier is beyond me. It was definitely an off day for both goaltenders.
2. By Far, the WORST Man Advantage Unit in the Playoffs - At the end of the 2nd period, the Preds had more shorthanded shots on goals than on the man advantage with a 2 to 1 SOG difference. The reason that is just despicable is that the Preds were shorthanded 3 times for 3:18 of PK TOI, and the "PP" was out there for a skate around 3 times with 4:50 of TOI. Lastly, the Preds have the game stolen (and I do mean stolen) and allow a shorthanded goal with 13 seconds to go. Then to start OT you have 3:56 of man advantage time. They failed again. The one thing I think the national coverage may do to benefit the Preds after today's NBC game is that it may force actual change on the "PP". It may not occur this series but maybe next year. The NBC crew spent a segment on how bad the unit was during the 2nd INT. That HAS to be embarrassing for the Predators brass and coaching staff to have national coverage of their ineptitude. If it doesn't bring about change, then that in and of itself is a joke. The Preds have scored more shorthanded than on the man advantage this series. Quite simply, if the Preds had an effective special teams unit known as a "powerplay" then they would have won today. I truly don't know how some type of change occurs over the summer.
3. Call to Action - Where is Jason Arnott's goal scoring? Why is it that just Legwand and Ward are able to produce in key games? There is NO chance to win this serious without the Predators captain getting on the scoresheet. Even an assist would be an improvement. I'll give him some credit for going to the net and screening Niemi on the Erat goal. Considering the way Niemi played today, if this team had put more pressure on the Hawks in the 1st and 2nd period we may be talking about a different outcome.
4. The Second Opportunity Wasted - Maybe what will be most frustrating to Pred fans is that the Preds had no business being in this game, let alone leading it with less than a minute remaining in regulation. To makes things worse though the Preds were seconds away from taking a 3-2 lead. While on the "PP" and with the Hawks net empty (meaning they were truly skating five per side), the Preds gave up the game tying goal. Yet another opportunity slips by which makes me question the Preds ability to take advantage of key moments. Chicago has done this, and will likely take the series because of it.
5. What's Next? - Well, the Predators now have to find a way to capitalize on their chances in not one but two games in a row. It's no small task. I truly though that was the worst performance from CHI defensively today and the Preds squandered it.
Final Thoughts:
Well, if you ever wanted to see a team's character tested you are about to. The Preds will have to come up with a heroic effort to win this series. They could have taken Game 5 and put themselves in prime position, but it seems the Predator way is the hard way. Well, they have their work cut out for themselves now.
The Predators next game is Monday night at 8 pm in Bridgestone Arena. FS-TN has the coverage. I'll see ya at the game.
Till then, take care.
Questions, comments, and criticisms can be sent to [email protected] if you wish to contact me personally.
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