Paul McCann: Ramping it up

Nashville got bailed out on a hot goalie and capitalized on two bonehead plays by guys that should know better. Muzzin pass up the middle into a danger zone and Oz skating behind the net for whatever reason. Leafs battled Nashville well.

Paul... I'm sorry but no on almost all of this. 20 shots on goal, and very few offensive chances against a team that had given up 23 goals in their last four games is hardly ramping it up. I like the win, and I love that the team actually decided to commit to defense for once, but hopefully they can do this in the future without completely sacrificing the offense to do it. Rinnie had a great game, but lets not pretend he had to stand on his head. The defense actually looked competent in front of him for a change. Even during that thirty minute stretch where Toronto held a monopoly over the puck, Preds did a good job getting back and limiting quality chances. Toronto had a surprisingly low amount of SOG during that stretch for controlling the puck so often. Other than that sick Tavares chance you mentioned he only had to make a couple of really tough saves. Not like some other games where there was an odd man rush or someone getting a chance right in front of the net every third shift.

I'm not quite sure what you were seeing with Turris either... I was really hoping to see a fire lite under him after being scratched the past couple games, but what I saw was a guy who almost seemed afraid to handle the puck, or at least too eager to rid of it, like it was going to explode on him or something. There was one shift in particular where he had a, not great, but clear look at the net for a shot, but instead passed the puck almost immediately, even though there really wasn't anywhere else to go with the puck. He had a couple of decent shifts, but driving play? I dunno, maybe I didn't pay enough attention to him.

I love the win, but are they turning the corner? I don't know if there's a corner to be turned. After 72 games you are what you are. Love the last two wins but not enough to forget the last 40 games happened. The effort has been better, and a lot of the lazy play has been cleaned up the past several games. That's what they need to really focus on. Still don't think their a contender, but right now I'd settled for being competitive come playoff time and hope they get hot.

Paul... I'm sorry but no on almost all of this. 20 shots on goal, and very few offensive chances against a team that had given up 23 goals in their last four games is hardly ramping it up. I like the win, and I love that the team actually decided to commit to defense for once, but hopefully they can do this in the future without completely sacrificing the offense to do it. Rinnie had a great game, but lets not pretend he had to stand on his head. The defense actually looked competent in front of him for a change. Even during that thirty minute stretch where Toronto held a monopoly over the puck, Preds did a good job getting back and limiting quality chances. Toronto had a surprisingly low amount of SOG during that stretch for controlling the puck so often. Other than that sick Tavares chance you mentioned he only had to make a couple of really tough saves. Not like some other games where there was an odd man rush or someone getting a chance right in front of the net every third shift.

I'm not quite sure what you were seeing with Turris either... I was really hoping to see a fire lite under him after being scratched the past couple games, but what I saw was a guy who almost seemed afraid to handle the puck, or at least too eager to rid of it, like it was going to explode on him or something. There was one shift in particular where he had a, not great, but clear look at the net for a shot, but instead passed the puck almost immediately, even though there really wasn't anywhere else to go with the puck. He had a couple of decent shifts, but driving play? I dunno, maybe I didn't pay enough attention to him.

I love the win, but are they turning the corner? I don't know if there's a corner to be turned. After 72 games you are what you are. Love the last two wins but not enough to forget the last 40 games happened. The effort has been better, and a lot of the lazy play has been cleaned up the past several games. That's what they need to really focus on. Still don't think their a contender, but right now I'd settled for being competitive come playoff time and hope they get hot.
- Squatchy

Well, make that two people that question Paul's viewpoint.

Loved the start. Have to learn how to play 60 minutes. Pekka played well. He also had a lot of "puck luck".
Turris looks afraid to to keep the puck on his stick... maybe take a hit? maybe just indecision or confidence.
Loved the Wayne goal. Other lines have got to step up.
Loved the fact the the "league best defense" is playing better D.

Ewe, I can't believe I almost forgot, but I loved seeing Pete and Crispy in the booth Tuesday night. I'll never fully understand why they moved Pete off of TV to do Radio. (I know, all the going with the younger guy crap. Sorry Willie but you're no Pete) I like to pretend the move happened because Pete wanted it to on some level, but I'm not sure why he would... Feels like a demotion to me. Apparently there hasn't been any hard feelings over it though, as thankfully Pete is still here and hasn't moved on to greener pastures. Pete Weber has one of those distinctive voices you just don't hear anymore across a broadcast sports world that's gotten increasingly more bland and cookie cutter. Any self-respecting Preds fan, and likely still some people in Buffalo, will always recognize Pete's voice the second they hear it.

No offense intended towards the Leafs but they have not been on fire(in a good way) as of late.
Glad we won, maybe, just maybe they are righting the ship..... but a long way to go still.

the Leaf's fans on this site it the best entertainment on here by far.. give it a read, its like watching a bunch of monkeys throwing crap at someones grandma... its great

After tonight’s poop show,these pansies should be ashamed to come out of the locker room.
This bunch has no hart
First round exit.

After tonight’s poop show,these pansies should be ashamed to come out of the locker room.
This bunch has no hart
First round exit.
- up-n-ya

Keep playing like they did last night and be lucky to be in the playoffs. I am sick of Subban flopping around on the ice shaking his head like he couldn't believe they just skated around his sorry ass and scored. That is a site that we see way to often. Trade him if you can get a 4th or 5th round draft choice. He is too worried about his brand and doing TV. He just needs to go back to Canada and forget about playing hockey.

Keep playing like they did last night and be lucky to be in the playoffs. I am sick of Subban flopping around on the ice shaking his head like he couldn't believe they just skated around his sorry ass and scored. That is a site that we see way to often. Trade him if you can get a 4th or 5th round draft choice. He is too worried about his brand and doing TV. He just needs to go back to Canada and forget about playing hockey.
- porterw1

What does it have to do with Canada?

What does it have to do with Canada?
- storm88

Nothing he just needs to get out of Nashville and go home, OKAY!

How long before Juuse Saros takes over as the number one goalie?

Paul,i don't blame you for not blogging the last 5days,there's really nothing to say.

Paul,i don't blame you for not blogging the last 5days,there's really nothing to say.
- up-n-ya

Oh, there's plenty to say and absolutely none of it was good coming out of Saturday. Even Paul shouldn't be able to find any rainbows to pull out of that gigantic turd they left out on the ice. He may have been forced to gently scold someone still wearing a gold jersey. Let's just hope the team that shows up tonight resembles the one that actually looked decent the previous four games before Saturday's dumpster fire.