If you like roller coasters, you have to love this year’s version of the Predators, the highest of highs, followed by the lowest of lows and back up again. Last night’s victory over the Detroit Red Wings marked only the third time the Predators have posted a winning record for a season at the Joe. Barry Trotz called out a few players by name in the media after the Edmonton debacle and they responded, goals from Erat, Legwand and Wilson (oops... thanks for the catch!), along with some insurance posted by SK74 was all the Preds needed.
Detroit head coach Mike Babcock was not pleased with his team’s effort and I would not be surprised if a bag skate was going on as I write this. The Predators managed to hold on through the second half of the second period as the Red Wings got some real push to their game, but were only able to put one past Pekka Rinne and they were unable to take advantage of a couple of prime scoring chances, especially Dan Cleary missing a wide open net in the third. Rinne upped his career record against Detroit to 7-2-2 and posted almost five consecutive periods of shutout hockey against them in their last two games.
The Predators’ next game is Saturday night against the struggling Colorado Avalanche. It may mark the return of Peter Forsberg if he can get his work visa issues taken care of in time.
---------------------------------------
Random Notes
- Marcel Goc left last night’s game with an upper body injury in the second period. Watch the call-up wire closely, Barry Trotz said that Goc would play in the next game, a call up would indicate differently.
- The hell of a game like Monday’s against Edmonton is the “woulda-coulda-shoulda’s” that you can’t help but look at. If the Preds took care of business in that game, they would trail the Red Wings by only three points in the division. The Preds trail Detroit by five and Detroit has a game in hand.
- The Predators stand 5th in the Western Conference, tied with Phoenix but winning the tie-breaker, leading Anaheim by one point and Calgary by two. The peleton remains close as Minnesota is one point out of 8th, Los Angeles and Chicago are 2 points out, Columbus is six points out, St. Louis and Colorado are seven.
- The Avalanche are in free fall right now, losing five straight and going 3-8 in their last 11 games. The main issue, besides injuries, is goaltending. Craig Anderson has lost six straight starts and was pulled again last night in the Av’s loss to Minnesota.
- Pred Nation cannot be upset at the Chicago/Florida trade that sent Pred killer Jack Skille to the Sunshine State and out of the division.
- Another goalie fight last night, this time in the Montreal/Boston game… who the heck is peeing the goaltenders’ Wheaties lately?
- Everyone’s favorite agitator was suspended four games. Matt Cooke finally got a suspension for his reckless hit on Fedor Tyutin. To this observer, it’s way overdue.
- Speaking of questionable hits, Anaheim’s Ryan Getzlaf put one on Dan Hamhuis last night in the Ducks win over Vancouver. With the blueline injuries the Canucks have, they don’t need any more.
--------------------------------------------
You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for @PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game!
--------------------------------------
COMING UP ON THE NEXT SLAPSHOT RADIO…
We didn’t have a show this week due to scheduling and broadcast conflicts, but you can get a SlapShot Radio fix at
the SlapShot Radio podcast page.
We are putting the guest list together for next week and will release it soon.
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • 
Join the Discussion:
»