Is the ship truly righted? That is the question on Pred Nation’s mind today after last night’s 3-0 shutout of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The answer may be a qualified yes. The trade deadline acquisitions are beginning to get solidly integrated into the team, secondary scoring is getting more consistent and Pekka Rinne seems to be gaining steam as the playoffs get closer.
The Preds recipe for victory is also glaringly apparent… get the first goal, survive the inevitable push back and take advantage of any mistake that happens. First goal? Yup… Brian Boyle’s first period marker was a pretty play as he slammed home a return pass top put the Preds up 1-0 early.
Pushback?? Oh yeah… the speedy Maple Leafs put on an all out press in the second period and early in the third… but Pekka Rinne was there, stopping the Leafs lethal offense, culminating in highway robbery of a John Tavares bid that seemed destined to find the back of the net early in the third period. I still don’t know how Rinne made that stop, but that seemed to deflate the Leafs for just a second, and Nashville took full advantage as Ryan Ellis fed Wayne Simmonds with a cross ice pass that Simmonds that the Wayne Train put home for his first Goal in Gold. The relief he felt was evident in his post-goal celebration… especially on the bench.
While Toronto didn‘t give up, that goal effectively ended the game… Filip Forsberg got an empty netter with about two minutes to go in the game to give the Preds their margin of victory and allowed them to keep pace in the Central Division.
You can see this team beginning to ramp it up, it was a playoff atmosphere on the ice and in the stands as Smashville was in full-throated fury for the third period. Considering all of the wailing and gnashing of teeth over the past month or so, it is very good to see a sense of urgency and desperation return to the Predator’s play. It has always fascinated me how this team picks some of the more difficult spots in the schedule to get well… who would’ve thought that San Jose and Toronto would be the catalyst?
The road gets no easier… Pittsburgh tomorrow and then the final regular season matchup with the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday in Manitoba.
We will be breaking it all down tonight on SlapShot Radio… please join Zack Brent and me at 7pm on 102.5 the Game.
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The
Where We Stand section
Nashville is in second place in the Central Division, one point behind the Winnipeg Jets, Winnipeg holds two games in hand over Nashville. The Preds lead St. Louis (1 GIH) by five points, Dallas (1 GIH) by seven points and Arizona by 11.
Nashville currently holds the 4 seed in the Western Conference playoff race. As things stand today, Nashville would host a first round series against the St. Louis Blues.
Impact Game Tonight – 9pm – WPG @ ANA.
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Upon returning home last night after the game, I settled in to watch the recording of the broadcast, to hear Pete Weber and Terry Crisp on the call. Last night was 90's Night and bringing back Pete and Terry for another TV broadcast was simply wonderful.
Their chemistry, their obvious affection for each other and their always present humor have always made them a joy to listen to... and last night was no different.
It was great to see the band back together, and good on Bob Kohl and the Predators for making it happen.
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Random Notes
- Milwaukee Update – The Ad’s are back in action for a weekend back-to-back with the Rockford Ice Hogs, Friday at home and Saturday @ Rockford.
- Scratch no more – Kyle Turris was back in the lineup last night and frankly… looking much better. He was active, engaged and generating chances.
- Back on the ice – Austin Watson is now available to return. He is expected to be on the ice today for practice.
- Just when you thought it was safe – Don’t look now… but the Chicago Blackhawks are creeping up on the Western Conference pack… they are four points out with 10 games to play. They have three teams to leapfrog. The schedule helps them as they have two remaining games against Colorado and one against Arizona.
- Clinging – The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to cling to the last wild card slot on the east… Montreal is one point behind them and the Habs win last night effectively ended Philly’s chances to sneak back into the race.
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