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Kostitsyn and Radulov Suspended For Game Three |
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Some pretty big news is surfacing that is paramount to the Coyotes drive to win Game Three. Alexander Radulov and Andrei Kostitsyn were both suspended by the Nashville Predators citing a violation of club rules. This has nothing to do with their play apparently and seems to be an extra curricular activity. Andrei Kostitsyn was rumoured in Montreal to love the clubs and party life, maybe there is a connection. As for Radulov…well I’ve seen a few guys like Nikita Zhukov drink vodka straight from the bottle in between periods so an outing causing a suspension wouldn’t really surprise me. It was a curfew violation which I think is pretty much a nice way of saying that they did something stupid. No way would they willingly suspend two of their best players unless it was serious. It’s all speculation and likely will be unless somebody can dig up the dirt, but there has to be something pretty big behind this “curfew” violation.
As for how it will affect the game, I think it favours the Coyotes immensely. Radulov has had a lot of chances in the offensive zone but is still playing his mostly perimeter game he played in Ufa. He has serious talent and his frustration level is immense right now. Radulov + Furstration usually = Goals. At least it has in the past. As for A-Tits, he was playing pretty well for Nashville, he had a few good net drives. Outside of his usual big play to big disappearance I thought he was solid.
What this will mean is some roster shakeups. I expect Jordin Tootoo will find his way into the line-up to add some energy and physicality. Does this make them a weaker team? I think so. Crap on them both as much as you like but these past two games I’ve felt the real disappointments for Nashville have been Mike Fisher, David Legwand and Kevin Klein-Roman Josi. Taking two good scorers from a team who is facing a Coyotes squad with a four line attack is a blow.
I guess we will have to see what comes of this and how the story unfolds. Personally I’m pretty happy about this as I think the Coyotes benefit from this action.
"The Nashville Predators have a few simple rules centered around doing the right things," Predators president and general manager David Poile said in a statement. "We have always operated with a team-first mentality and philosophy. Violating team rules is not fair to our team and their teammates."
Radulov and AKostitsyn were spotted in Scottsdale at 4am on the eve of Game 2.
Thanks for reading.
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