The Nashville Predators must love California cooking. With a 3-1 win in LA the Preds effectively swept through Cali with wins over San Jose, Anaheim, and LA. Tonight the Preds used a late powerplay goal from Dumont to end the Kings winning streak.
Felder’s FANTASTIC Five:
1. A Road Win in REGULATION – This game is what many talk about when they speak of a simple road game. Although the shots against were a little high, the Preds played sound on both ends of the ice and finally got their 1st regulation road win of the season.
2. J.P. Dumont – Dumont really propelled this team to victory offensively. His saucer pass to set up Arnott in the 2nd was a thing of beauty. Also, even more impressive was his own goal where he stayed in front of the net and gutted it out despite taking a puck to the arm. Dumont finished the night with 1 goal, 1 assist, a +1 rating, and he only had 1 shot on goal (that needs to improve).
3. Dan “Energizer” Ellis – The man keeps going and going, even in back to back games. Dan has been delivering consistent and solid efforts night in and night out, giving this team a chance to win each game. Tonight was no different and Ellis made the big saves needed, and only allowed 1 goal in, which he was screened on.
4. Maybe It IS Becoming a Real Powerplay – Every game I keep a sharp eye on this unit. Tonight they found themselves on the scoreboard again, but more impressive was WHEN the unit got their goal. With 3 minutes left in the game the team’s powerplay unit came up big in a timely spot. That is what I’ve been waiting to see, getting the goals when the pressure is on to produce.
5. Sound D – Although they allowed a few more shots than we would have liked the defense in front of Dan Ellis did do a solid job of limiting quality scoring chances. There were only 2 or 3 breakdowns that may have cost the Preds, but Ellis bailed them out. A couple of turnovers could have been costly but again in the grand scheme the D did a solid job of not taking penalties and limiting chances despite the Kings extended visits in the Preds end.
Other Notes:
• Tonight’s scratches were Kevin Klein, Rich Peverley, and Nick Tarnasky.
• 1ST PERIOD
• Some good early pressure from both teams. Couple scoring chances apiece but none to write home (or to all of you) about thus far.
• The mix and match of lines continues. Tonight Hornqvist and Jones are centered by Scott Nichol.
• If you recall, I mentioned weeks ago before the first game against LA in Nashville that they were capable of playing a strong neutral zone game that makes it tough on opponents to get shots and scoring chances. Tonight the Kings are brining that game and have made it very difficult for the Preds to even enter the Kings zone.
• 6:44 remaining - The “Energizer” is at it again. Keeping the Preds in this with big save after big save. Hopefully the Preds offense can wake up. They have a total of 3 shots on goal at the moment.
• 3:09 to go and Hornqvist feeds Legwand in stride. Leggy has a breakaway but fails to put the puck on net. Leggy has gone back to invisible these past couple of games.
• END OF THE 1ST PERIOD – NSH: 0 LA: 0. Positives – The Preds have played pretty solid defensively. The Preds have won 69% of the faceoffs in the game. Negatives – The Kings have out shot the Preds 12 to 5. The Preds have not found an effective way of getting through the Kings neutral zone “trap”.
• 2ND PERIOD
• 10:50 remains. The trend has continued so far in this period. Kings leading shots in this period by 8 to 3 so far. Also, the Kings continue to make it tough on Nashville to set up in their end.
• GOAL for Nashville – 9:34 remains. Dan Ellis won’t get an assist but was a huge part of this goal. He sent the puck all the way to the Kings blueline where Erat took one stride into the zone. He then found Dumont skating into the left slot giving the Preds a 2 on 1 for J.P. and Jason Arnott. Dumont waited Erik Ersberg out and then laid up a very sweet little saucer pass to Arnott on the back door. Arnott buried the easy chance to put the Preds on the scoreboard. Arnott from Dumont and Erat (and Ellis). Preds lead 1-0.
• 7:17 remaining and the “Energizer” continues to make big stops. This time he stoned Alexander Frolov not once but twice preventing the 5 hole tally. Frolov had snuck behind the Preds D and found himself all alone with Ellis just 12 feet from the goal. The play occurred off a Ryan Suter turnover.
• GOAL for LOS ANGELES – 4:54 remaining. The Kings finally get one of their many chances past Ellis. Dan was screened and a shot from the point went through traffic, deflected somewhere, and beat Ellis low glove side. The goal is awarded to Michael Handzus with Kyle Quincey and Peter Harrold getting the assists. Game is tied at 1 apiece.
• END OF THE 2ND PERIOD – NSH: 1 LA: 1. Positives – The goal was a very nice play and got the team back into an offensive rhythm. Dan “Energizer” Ellis continues his consistent effort. Negatives – Still getting out shot badly in this one. Now the Kings lead the shot total 27 to 14. The Preds must increase the shots on goal to get the 2 points they seek.
• 3RD PERIOD
• 12:20 to go and Ersberg makes a tremendous back door save on Martin Erat. Erat received a pass from Ryan Suter through the slot and Erat let off a real quick wrister but somehow Ersberg got back to the other post and made an incredible save. That is a big stop at this point in the game.
• 3:30 to go and a 2 on 1 with Legwand and Erat results in a missed scoring chance but also a scare for Erat. He went sliding into the boards after being tripped and considering he just got back from injury all Pred fans had to be holding their breath. Thankfully Erat immediately returned and did not suffer an injury. The Preds will get a PP from this
• PP GOAL for NASHVILLE – 2:28 remaining. The Preds cash in on the penalty drawn by Erat. Dumont actually blocked a Preds shot into his arm by accident. The puck then bounced out to Koistinen who fed Arnott behind the net. Dumont stayed in front of the goalie despite the arm and actually was able to reach out, take the feed from Arnott and tally stick side on Ersberg. A really odd play but big kudos go to Dumont for pushing through pain and scoring on the PP. Dumont from Arnott and Koistinen. Preds lead 2-1.
• EMPTY NET GOAL for NASHVILLE – 47.7 to go. The Kings actually should get the credit as Dustin Brown tried to clear the puck back to the blueline but instead find no one and score on their own empty net. The last Pred to play the puck gets a gift of a goal, so Shea Weber gets the unassisted marker. Preds lead 3-1.
• FINAL SCORE – NSH-3 LA-1.
My Three Stars:
1. J.P. Dumont
2. Dan Ellis
3. Jason Arnott
Goalie Grade:A – The starting goaltender tonight was Dan Ellis. Ellis is starting in back to back games. Dan continues to play very well. The “Energizer” lives up to the billing and just keeps going and going, making save after save. Tonight Dan stopped 33 of the Kings 34 shots on goal in route to the 3rd consecutive road victory.
Ref Review:A- – The crew tonight was Greg Kimmerly, Kevin Pollack, Scott Cherrey, and Brian Mach. Nothing blatantly missed but there were a few minor areas to pick at. Overall a solid effort by the crew as they allowed the teams to play and didn’t call very many penalties.
Final Thoughts:
Who would have guessed the Preds would garner the 6 points we wanted on this road trip in the California portion? Swept one week with losses, then sweeping a state with wins. A mixed effort but it ends on a positive note.
The Predators next game will be this Monday night at home vs the San Jose Sharks. Be sure to return to this space on Monday for the pre-game details.
Till then, take care.
Don’t forget to tune into the Nashville Hockeybuzz Radio show, Monday nights from 6 to 7 pm on WNSR 560 A.M. with Paul McCann and myself discussing all things Preds! Listen in at the WNSR Website for the best new Preds radio show around! The podcasting for the Nashville Hockeybuzz Radio show can be found at the following: Nashville Hockeybuzz Radio Podcast. Enjoy!
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