It's time for our regular feature, here are your Sunday Shots. Click
here to see the entire album.
Courtesy DLM/SlapShot Radio.
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St. Louis head coach Ken Hitchcock has got to wonder what he has to do in order to beat the Predators in Nashville. After last night's 3-1 loss at the hands of his good friend Preds head coach Barry Trotz, Hitchcock coached teams have gone 0-11-6-1 inside the not-so-freindly confines of Bridgestone Arena, 18 games in a row. Hitchcock's last win in Nashville was in February of 2001, when he was the coach of the Dallas Stars. No wonder he compared 501 Broadway to the Roman Colosseum in his post-game comments.
An electric, almost playoff-like atmosphere greeted the teams as they hit the ice. A boisterous contingent of Blues fans made the trek to Music City, the small contingent that normally comes, and the larger contingent that has joined the bandwagon. Just like two weeks earlier, the visiting group tried to take over with chants and cheering that were quickly drowned out by Pred Nation... then silenced by the 2-0 lead the Predators quickly built. It was a fast and furious start to a game that featured everything you want from a hockey game, speed, power, passion, skill plays, hard hits and a nice fight... and just like two weeks ago, the visiting fans were sent home unhappy.
Quite honestly, the only reason the Predators didn;t have a 5-0 lead by the end of the second period was the stellar play of Jaroslav Halak. He single handedly kept his team in the game. The only problem for him was that his counterpart at the other end of the ice was simply better. Pekka Rinne posted his normal outstanding performance, making save after save, including what could've been the save of the year on a series of shots as St. Louis was trying to tie things up late in the third period. Rinne positively stoned Blues' defenseman Kris Russel on back to back point blank chances. That is Rinne at his best. Making the key save at the key time in posting his franchise record 11th consecutive win.
The other key to last night's win was special teams play. While the Predators power play continues to play well, posting another goal last night, the penalty kill was not looking as good. That changed as the Predators killed off a critical chance in the third period that really was a difference maker in the game.
Last night's victory improves the Predators record against Central Division teams to 12-2-2, take out the 5-0-1 record against Columbus, and the team still has a sparkling 7-2-1 mark against the cream of the division. That does include their 4-0-0 record over the Blues. They tangle again at the Bridge on 2/23.
The team takes a well-earned day off today to watch the Super Bowl. Next up for the Preds are the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.
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Random Notes
- The Predators are back in 4th place in the Western Conference standings, trailing conference leading Detroit by 4 points. Nashville leads St. Louis by 1 point and Chicago by three points. St. Louis has two games in hand over Detroit, Nashville and Chicago.
- Nashville posted it's 16th sellout of the season last night, matching last year's total.
- Martin Erat is quietly turning in one helluva season. He had three points last night including the lid-lifter, a surprising slapper from the high slot that Halak is still looking for.
- Really nice piece from Jim Diamond in the Examiner today about Barry Trotz's presser after the game... read it
here. Now there is a man with his priorities in order.
- The Chicago slide has reached five games, not time to panic, but time for serious concern. Wondering if they address the goaltending issue before the trade deadline.
- Somebody break up the Oilers! Nice win over Detroit last night, just wish it would've been in regulation... :-)
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On the next
SlapShot Radio
On this week's SlapShot Radio, we talk with the dean of NHL play-by-play announcers, NBC Sports' Michael "Doc" Emrick. We preview the Ottawa Senators game with Sens radio analyst Gord Wilson. All this on SlapShot Radio, Wednesday at 6pm on 102.5 the Game.
To get a fix in the meantime… past episodes are also posted on the SlapShot Radio website.
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