Holy Schniekees… how many "F's" could I fit into a headline?
The Nashville Predators finished February with a wild and wooly 5-4 come-from-behind win over the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center last night. The Preds rode the hot hand as Filip Forsberg assisted on the Preds third goal to bring them to within one, tied the game with a little more than two minutes remaining, then won the game in overtime on a simply filthy wrister, beating Buffalo netminder Robin Lehner, who was under siege for most of the second and third periods from a relentless Predator attack. The Preds have posted their first four game win streak of the season.
Forsberg has been on a tear… in this five game goal streak he has potted ten goals, four assists, four three point games, two hat tricks and a partridge in a pear tree. The JOFA line continues to pile up the points, with Forsberg’s three, Ryan Johansen posted two (1g, 1a) and Viktor Arvidsson posted an assist… ho-hum, just another six point night for the top line.
The offensive output continues to cover some team defensive deficiencies, giveaways were reduced last night and, let’s get real… and this sounds weird talking about after a win… the Predators puck luck was terrible… bad bounces, skate deflections, butt bounces... the one goal I will lay directly at the feet of Pekka Rinne is Jake McCabe’s goal early in the 3rd, he left a big ole juicy rebound out there that Buffalo converted.
Given the number of goals Nashville is giving up, a lot of folks are asking what the issue is with Pekka Rinne. Opinions are everywhere, mine? He’s trying to hard.
When Rinne is at his best he is contained, playing within himself, economic in his motions. When he is flopping around it is usually a sign he is overplaying, trying to do too much. Last night’s game is a perfect example… two bad bounces went against him on the first two goals and for the next period and a half, he overplaying the puck. Rinne settled down after the McCabe goal, moved with purpose, was a little quieter in his motions. The results? he made the last nine saves including four in overtime while the Predators were killing off a penalty and was a key in getting the two points.
So… let’s get to the good, the bad and the ugly from last night…
The Good - The JOFA line, obviously… and Rinne in the third period and overtime. It also cannot be overstated, Mike Fisher’s first goal turned the tide in the game. A pure heart and soul play from the captain.
The Bad - A tough call on Viktor Arvidsson with three seconds to go in regulation, he needs to be careful when you have a player in such a vulnerable position.
The Ugly - A weak start for Nashville, Buffalo took it to the Preds in the first 15 minutes of the game…
You feel a little weird, being so critical of a win… but it is what it is. The first four game win streak of the season. Let’s take a quick look at the March schedule.
The Predators go into March on a solid note, which is a good thing given a road heavy March schedule. Fourteen games, eight of them on the road including six of the next eight, starting off in Montreal, where the focus will definitely be on PK Subban in his return to the city that drafted and developed him.
Then it is back home for a Saturday showdown with the Predators most likely playoff opponent (if the standings remain where they are) the Chicago Blackhawks. A very big game on the March schedule… then it’s out to the West Coast for games in Anaheim, LA and San Jose while the SEC Basketball Tournament takes over Bridgestone Arena. The Predators come back to the friendly confines for a Monday nighter against Winnipeg before heading to DC and Carolina. Survive that run and the schedule swings back for four of the last six in March at home starting with Monday 3/20 against Arizona, then Calgary and San Jose before a road back-to-back against the New York Islanders and Boston Bruins, closing out March with a home date with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After a February with three back-to-backs and stretches of six games in ten days and seven games in ten days, March feels positively relaxing with only seven games against teams currently in playoff position and only one back-to-back.
Compare that to St. Louis, who is chasing the Preds for that three slot in the Central… they have a game in hand on Nashville and play 15 games in March, but only six against teams currently in playoff position. The Blues ace in the hole? They have six games in March against the two worst teams in the league… Colorado and Arizona. Third in the Central is by no means a lock for Nashville with a soft schedule like that waiting for St. Louis.
Game time tomorrow night is 6:30pm CT.
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It’s trade deadline day!
I am not expecting a whole bunch to come out of 501 Broadway today… just a feeling… but the prices seem way too high and this Predators team is finally beginning to jell.
We will be wrapping up deadline day tonight on SlapShot Radio. Pete will be joining us from Montreal and we will have our annual “Deals That Almost Happened” segment with Eklund and we are scheduled to have Predators GM David Poile on as well to talk about any moves made.
Join Pete Weber and me on SlapShot Radio… tonight at 7pm on 102.5 the Game. Listen online at thegamenashville.com.
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Random Notes
- Where We Stand – After yesterday’s play, the Nashville Predators have 73 points in 63 games played and remain 3rd in the Central Division, leading St. Louis by six points. The Blues have a game in hand on Nashville. Per sportsclubstats.com, the Predators playoff chances are at 93.2%
- With his assist last night, Ryan Johansen continues his ascent up the NHL leaderboard, now 7th in the league in assists. He also got to double digits in goals with his 10th of the year last night... and all of a sudden, the haters are moving on to other targets.
- Don’t look now, but Filip Forsberg is knocking on the door of the top ten in NHL goal scoring, he currently is in a six-way tie for 12th in the league.
- Congratulations to former Preds head coach, Barry Trotz on his 700th win last night, good coach… better man.
- Edmonton’s 2-1 win over St. Louis helped the Preds last night, extending their lead to six over the Blues.
- Two games in the NHL tonight, all times CST – 6pm – CAR @ TBL. 7pm - PIT @ CHI.
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