So, for every national media outlet and blogger that criticized the Predators for signing Pekka Rinne to seven year deal for $7 million a year, I have a question… how would you like your crow? Fried, fricasseed, or filleted? A 3-1 Predators victory, a 3-1 series lead for Nashville and Rinne’s otherworldly .942 save percentage has left the Detroit Red Wings bewildered and frustrated.
Want a clear demonstration of that frustration? Look no further that the Kevin Klein goal in the third period. When is the last time you have seen the Red Wings look like a Squirt team? Three players followed Marty Erat toward the corner, goaltender Jimmy Howard also overplayed Erat, leaving a wide open net. Kevin Klein streaked down Broadway and buried Erat’s pass to put the Preds up to stay.
While Pekka Rinne has clearly taken up residence in the collective head of the Red Wings, you need to give a great deal of credit to the Predators blueline, who have made the most of their offensive chances in this series, while playing solid, responsible defense. The fact they are doing it without Hal Gill so far in this series is another testament to the organizational depth of the Nashville franchise.
To paraphrase last season’s NHL Stanley Cup marketing campaign… History was made last night for the Predators franchise… sweeping two in the playoffs in Detroit, holding a 3-1 series lead… both franchise firsts. Both mean bupkas if the team can’t close this series out. Post game quotes refer to the team learning lessons from previous playoff series. Let’s see if they learned one of the most important ones… The Predators have their foot firmly planted on their opponent’s neck; do they let up… or press down?
We have to wait until Friday night to get that answer.
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I have to comment on the Raffi Torres hit on Marian Hossa in the first period of last night’s Phoenix / Chicago game. The Chicago Blackhawks may have lost a key cog in their team in Marian Hossa and that is coloring their response to the situation. Phoenix has been muted in their defense of their teammate, which sends an even louder message.
Torres called the hit a “hockey play” in his brief post game comments. The officials missed the play on the ice and it went unpenalized. Chicago head coach Joel Quinneville was incensed.
The facts… Torres’ hit was late, Torres’ left his feet, Torres made contact with Hossa’s head with his shoulder, Torres is a repeat offender and Hossa is injured, just being released from the hospital early this morning.
Torres will be suspended… that is almost beyond question… the only question is, how many games?
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Playoff Look
East
NYR vs. OTT – Rangers lead 2-1 – Next game is tonight
BOS vs. WSH – Bruins lead 2-1 – Next game is Thursday
FLA vs. NJD – Panthers lead 2-1 – Next game is Thursday
PIT vs. PHI – Flyers lead 3-0 – Next Game is tonight
West
VAN vs. LAK – Kings lead 3-0 – Next game is tonight
STL vs. SJS – Blues lead 2-1 – Next game is Thursday
PHX vs. CHI – Coyotes lead 2-1 – Next game is Thursday
NSH vs. DET – Predators lead 3-1 – Next game is Friday
Closeout Opportunities Tonight
Philadelphia – The Flyers have a chance to sweep the series against the Penguins at Wells Fargo Center tonight, a result no one but the most orange and black colored galsses type Flyers fan could’ve expected. Puck drop at 6:30pm CDT on NBC Sports Network.
Los Angeles – Vancouver rioted after losing the cup last year, getting swept in the first round this year could cause an invasion. Another improbable result, but I think the Canucks send it back to Vancouver, too much talent, too much pride and a potential return of Daniel Sedin gives Vancouver some hope. Puck drop at 9pm CDT on NBC Sports Network.
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Random Notes…
- From yesterday…
“Game four records – Detroit 48-52… Nashville 2-5 … The Predators two wins in game four have been against the Red Wings, but those games were in Nashville.” Make that 3-5… :-)
- If you are looking for a key stat in this series… look at goals by period… Both the Preds and Wings have score 2 goals in the first periods of this series and 3 goals in the second… third period scoring, Nashville has a 6-3 edge.
- Mitch Albom, in today’s Detroit Free Press, has a great line regarding a potential early summer for the Red Wings… “How does a team with immeasurable postseason experience seem out-cooled by a team that didn't even exist when Nick Lidstrom joined the Detroit roster?”
- The Red Wings are outshooting Nashville on the series by a 138 – 91 count. Looking at that stat by period shows the slow starts and late game pushes by Detroit.
- Ten more penalties called in last night’s game. Seven to Nashville, three to Detroit… conspiracy theorists… make your own conclusion.
- Does anyone else hate the “intent to blow” explanation on waived off goals as much as I do?
- I’m wondering how you can look good in this situation… Todd Bertuzzi can’t… he either acted like a three year old and took a toy he wasn’t playing with away from someone else, or he acted like a three year old by running to tell dad (security) that someone was playing with a toy he wasn’t playing with… either way, it was a lot of fun to talk about! :-) I wonder what silly story will crop up in the next 48 hours before game five?
- Talk about crazy games… The New Jersey Devils jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first period, then promptly gave up four consecutive goals to lose on home ice and cede the lead in the series to Florida.
- Both starting goalies were chased from that FLA/NJD game last night and Scott Clemmenson may have earned the next start for the Panthers. I can't remember the last time Martin Brodeur got the hook in a playoff game.
- With Phoenix’s win at United Center last night, six of the eight quarter-final series have had the home team lose game three… not sure what it means, but it’s interesting.
- I have to say… Phoenix Coyotes TV Analyst Tyson Nash is on the island by himself. “As clean of a hit as you are going to get” was his analysis of the Torres hit. He is just flat out wrong here.
- The Hossa injury could turn this series, I almost feel bad for Brendan Shanahan. Whatever he decides, half will say it's too harsh, half will say it's too lenient.
- Plenty of fingers being pointed today… most trying to push their own agendas. I keep the blame squarely where it belongs… on the offender. An offender that has had chances to learn his lesson and refuses to.
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