The Detroit Red Wings held serve. Now it is Nashville’s chance to do the same. Things don’t look great being down 2 games to none, but all it takes is reeling off a couple of home wins and the team is right back in it.
The Red Wings fought back Nashville’s 2nd period momentum and leave Motown fresh off a 4-2 victory over the Preds.
Felder’s Frustrated Five:
1. Still looking for that top line production….
2. Too many emotional penalties. It never helps when you take a penalty while on the man advantage.
3. Lack of adjustments – We all wanted to see some things changed in regards to line combos, but we got none. The close games come down to matchups and Trotz is getting beat by Babcock thus far. Hopefully on home ice with the last change Barry can do better. Rudy rejoined Jason and J.P. but not till the last portion of the 3rd period.
4. Jason Arnott – He simply doesn’t look the same. 1 shot in 2 total games!?! He’s not winning the faceoffs either. He needs to step up and play physical.
5. Officiating got in the way again. The no goal call was disgusting and for the 2nd straight game the officials played a part in the game. That is unacceptable. These are playoff games and the officials are ruining them by making silly calls.
Other Notes:
• Scratches today were Ville Koistinen, Kevin Klein, David Legwand, Scott Nichol.
• As a future broadcaster (hopefully) I have to say I just love it when Mike “Doc” Emrick is on the play by play. He is definitely in my top 3 broadcasters in the league.
• Right at the start it appeared that Rudy scored a goal. Stuart pushed Bonk into the net as Radulov backhanded the puck in the net. This officiating problem is starting to wear on me. There’s another instance were the refs affect the game. From the replay it appeared the puck crossed the line before the net was off the moorings as well. At first I thought it wasn’t even sent to a review, but Pete Weber informed me that they did in fact review the play. Later we hear that in was not reviewed since the play was already supposedly dead. Either way, the fact that this happens in the NHL, regardless of the team, is disgusting.
• Detroit responds to the fortunate referee call immediately. Suter and Zids once again show why you should play the body. Anytime you let Darren McCarty score, something broke down on defense along the way. I’m glad for him that he has come back and helped the club, but it frustrating to watch #3 and #20 give up a goal again when all it took was to stand their man up. 1-0 Detroit.
• I’m getting real frustrated with the guys going for a hit instead of the pucks. At one point the puck was in Detroit’s end and Jan Hlavac goes after the man, and not the puck. On defense that is fine, but when you’re in their end you need to create, not hit.
• Another botched man advantage (I refuse to call it a powerplay until they actually tally) as the Preds get pegged for a too many men on the ice penalty. Just sloppy mental mistakes right there.
• The positives from period 1 are that the Preds are shooting and generating scoring chances. The negatives are the score (1-0 Det), an inept man advantage, and yet another defensive breakdown in their own zone that led to Detroit’s goal.
• Apparentlly, now the official bull is that the play was called dead just before the puck went in. Way to cover your ass NHL.
• To open the 2nd the Red Wings Holdstrom screens Ellis. While this occurs Lidstrom drives one in to tally and put Detroit up 2-0. Great play by Detroit. Danny once again stood no chance.
• Well, in all fairness, the Preds get a free man advantage when Hasek gets called for holding the stick. This was a bad call against Detroit honestly and a gift for the Preds. I guess the refs are trying to make up for the no goal but it’s too late now.
• Finally a goal on the man advantage. Taking advantage of Hasek’s misplay behind the net Rudy buries the puck into an empty net. 2-1 Detroit with some momentum finally headed the Preds way.
• Double Deuce does it again. He beats Hasek once again 5-hole. The Preds have ROARED BACK scoring two very quick goals. Just eleven seconds apart. Tootoo must be haunting Hasek by now!
• The Preds just can’t get that 3rd puck in! Hlavac misses a great chance, then 2 posts hit within seconds of each other just a few plays later. Bonk was shown looking to the hockey gods and saying “Are you FRAKKING kidding me?”
• Detroit calls a timeout after these events. Preds are starting to control things.
• Detroit responds and scores on an extremely flukey goal. Zanon’s skate sends the puck into the net past Dan Ellis. Poor Dan just can’t catch a break. Detroit 3-2.
• Dumont goes down after a hit into his own bench. He looked real bad on the way into the locker room. The injuries are starting to pile and if J.P. misses much time then the Preds are in very big trouble.
• J.P. returns and I’ll have to keep a close eye on him to see if he is laboring or not.
• J.P. Dumont of all people gets a roughing call while the Preds are on the man advantage. J.P. got emotional and when trying to get a hit went towards the head, and left his feet. An emotional penalty that just hurts.
• While the Preds did score twice in the 2nd, they did not take enough overall shots on goal. Only a total of 5 shots on goal in the 2nd. The Preds need a stellar 3rd period to pull this one out.
• Pretty disgraceful listening to Pierre McGuire in the 2nd intermission. If you were to ask him the Red Wings have already won the series apparently. Look, I realize that before the series began the Preds chances were not great, but to see a national media figure talk the way he does is not professional. I hope the Preds make a comeback of epic proportions to make him look like a fool. You never say it is over till it truly is.
• I think for me, as great as this game has been, win or lose, the fact that it should be tied going into the 3rd period upsets me more than anything else. I would think even Detroit fans can say they got lucky Marouelli lost sight of the puck and blew the whistle…
• Zidlicky has had two quality chances on the backdoor today and has not scored yet. Very disappointing. Both times he should have shot toward the post to the right of Hasek and didn’t.
• Ellis gives up a big rebound and Holmstrom drives it in. The biggest problem on this goal is that Ellis used the stick to push the puck out into the slot area instead of just allowing the rebound. He gave the puck to Holmstrom. Detroit 4-2 lead.
• Dan has looked real tired since mid-way through the 2nd period. He clearly isn’t moving as fast from post to post as he once was.
My Three Stars:
1. Thomas Holmstrom
2. Brian Rafalski
3. Dan Ellis
Goalie Grade:
B+ – The starting goaltender today was Dan Ellis. Dan looked tired from the mid-way point on but still played very solid. If he could just get some good luck in front of him things would be ok. Overall, Dan is playing well consistently and if he continues to do so then the Preds have a chance to turn the series around.
Ref Review:
D+ – The crew today was Kerry Fraser, Dan Marouelli, Brad Lazarowich, and Derek Nansen. The crew was disgusting. Enough said since I’m sure everyone else will help me out on this one.
Final Thoughts: The Predators next game will be in the friendly confines of the Sommet Center. It’s time to put the away games behind us. Yes, we still have yet to win a road game. That’s pitiful, but we can still pull this thing out. Keep the faith and I’ll see you Monday night. 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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