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Dirk Hoag is the Forechecker, churner of NHL stats and analysis.
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| Final - 3.20.2010 | 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Columbus Blue Jackets
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Nashville Predators
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Cody Franson scores in overtime as Nashville shuts out Columbus 1-0
by Chris Burton on Mar 20, 2010 10:44 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
5 comments
[SBN] - [TSN] - [Box Score] - [The Cannon] - [Columbus Dispatch] - [Predators Insider]
The Nashville Predators continued their winning ways tonight, taking their fifth game in a row, this one against the Columbus Blue Jackets. It was an incredible goaltending battle, with each team having sublime scoring chance after scoring chance only to be denied. In the end, though, Nashville proved a smidge better as rookie defenseman Cody Franson struck in the extra frame.
The first period saw the Blue Jackets outplay Nashville by a significant margin. They had twice as many shots, and it was purely on the merits of Pekka Rinne that the Predators escaped unscathed. Nashville had the lone power play of the period, with Jared Boll roughly boarding Jordin Tootoo. The Predators were unable to generate a single shot.
The second period didn't start well, either. The Preds picked up an interference penalty, then a too many men and found themselves two men down. At the end of the crucial five-on-three, Ryan Suter exited the box and found himself on a breakaway, and he hit the post even though he was pushed by Fedor Tyutin.
The Predators later got a man-advantage, though, with Mike Commodore in the box for slashing. This time they were able to create havoc in front of Steve Mason, but he was up to the task and then some. First he denied Shea Weber with a pad stop, then robbed Colin Wilson and Steve Sullivan in succession on the doorstep. This sequence of events was summed up well by @CellBlock303: "Apparently God is in net for the CBJ. Wow."
The teams traded chances for much of the third period, but as was the story throughout the night, both goaltenders were standing on their respective heads. Jason Arnott was hit with a high stick late in the period, was taken to the dressing room, and did not return.
In overtime, the Predators looked weak for much of the frame - at one point giving up a breakaway to Mike Commodore, who's shot Rinne nonchalantly gloved right out of the air. Soon after, though, our hero struck. Cody Franson took a pass from Martin Erat and fired a shot from the point that went in off of Steve Mason's arm, and that was that. Rinne picked up his third shutout in five games, and the Predators extended their win streak to five. Rinne's play has been nothing short of spectacular the last two weeks, and it would shock no one if he earned consecutive NHL "star" honors.
5 comments | 0 recs |
Predators Game Thread #72 : Columbus @ Nashville
by Aditya T (smashville) on Mar 20, 2010 7:00 PM EDT
in Game Threads
109 comments
109 comments | 0 recs
Weekend notes: poetry on ice?
by Dirk Hoag on Mar 20, 2010 12:00 PM EDT
in Breakfast Links
1 comment
We've got a few notes for you this morning ahead of tonight's tussle with the Blue Jackets:
- SB Nation is conducting a survey to learn more about our readers, and I'd appreciate your completing it. The blog which has the highest portion of its membership fill out the survey gets $500 to donate to the charity of its choice. Can we raise $500 for perhaps the Predators Foundation, folks?
- One member of our community, SLake, has written an insightful analysis of whether Cal O'Reilly should get back into the lineup in favor of Dustin Boyd, who seemed a bit of an afterthought at the NHL Trade Deadline but he's played well in every game so far. If you've got an opinion you'd like to share, feel free to write a FanPost and get it out there!
- For something a little high-brow this weekend, head over to Copper & Blue which features a fascinating interview with Randall Maggs, who may well be the poet laureate of hockey.
- Don't forget to sign up with the On the Forecheck Facebook page, we're over 200 fans in just the last few weeks and growing quickly!
- John Glennon joined the Thom Abraham Show yesterday to talk about the four-line scoring depth of the Preds these days, and you can listen to that segment via the following link:
John Glennon on Thom Abraham Show 20100319
Maybe we need to have a poetry contest here at OtF? Hickory dickory dock, Rick Nash got deked out of his jock...
1 comment | 0 recs |
Predators Game Day Preview: Columbus @ Nashville
by Chris Burton on Mar 20, 2010 2:00 AM EDT
5 comments
The Nashville Predators look to continue their winning ways against the cellar-dwelling Columbus Blue Jackets. The Predators are 40-26-5, with 85 points, and now just one point behind fifth place Colorado. There's no easing up on the throttle, though, as a first round matchup with Phoenix is surely more appealing than with San Jose. The Blue Jackets are 28-31-11, with 67 points, and are second-to-last in the West. They aren't to be taken lightly, though, as they boast an impressive young core and superstar Rick Nash.
After the jump, your obligatory stats and analysis!
Special Note: Remember, if you're going to tonight's game, parking is a mess downtown right now due to the Music City Center construction, and one option to keep in mind is FREE parking at Lot R next to LP Field. You can either walk across the pedestrian bridge, or catch a $3 (per person) shuttle to Bridgestone Arena from there.
5 comments | 0 recs |
A statistical analysis: Dustin Boyd vs. Cal O'Reilly
by SLake on Mar 20, 2010 1:16 AM EDT
10 comments
It's been asked in the comments section of every blog I visit, been asked on the message boards, and even been discussed within the Predators Twitter community as well..."What will it take for Cal O`Reilly to get back into the lineup?"
Since his recall on January 25th, O'Reilly has appeared in 13 games for the Predators registering 2 goals and 3 assists over that span and due to his waiver status looks to have earned a permanent spot on the Nashville roster (Milwaukee has re-assigned #16 to Marty Murray). However, since the acquisition of Dustin Boyd at the trade deadline on March 3rd, O'Reilly has not appeared in a game.
This lead me to dive into the advanced statistics today and take a look at the numbers for the two and do a little comparison that even shocked me a little...
10 comments | 3 recs
Predators trailer debuts; Gnash sadly didn't make the final cut
by Dirk Hoag on Mar 19, 2010 3:47 PM EDT
5 comments
The trailer from the upcoming sci-fi thriller Predators has hit the web (scroll down to view it), but Nashville hockey fans will be disappointed to learn that it is, in fact, not dedicated to our favorite hockey team, but is instead a sequel to 1987's Predator.
My question is, which Nashville Predators should have made it into the film?
How about Wade Belak as a distant relative of Blain (played by Jesse Ventura in the original). I could definitely see him grimacing on his way to the penalty box as he says, "I ain't got time to bleed..."
5 comments | 0 recs |
KHL continues European expansion with Ukrainian team
by Dirk Hoag on Mar 19, 2010 11:33 AM EDT
3 comments
This press release came from the KHL this morning:
The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) and Ukrainian hockey club Budivelnyk in Kiev have signed a letter of intent for the club to participate in the 2010-2011 KHL season.
The agreement stipulates that the KHL will consider allowing the club to participate in the league starting next season if it meets the appropriate rules, regulations and by laws necessary. Further, the KHL is asking the club to commit to an active role in the growth and development of European, continental and world hockey.
As an immediate next step, the KHL and Budivelnyk have agreed that the deadline for the club to provide the financial guarantees necessary to participate in the 2010-2011 season will be April 1, 2010.
Today's news follows the recent announcement that the KHL has also signed a letter of intent with Czech club Lion, located in the city Hradec Kralove, for their participation in the 2010-2011 season, pending their meeting all necessary requirements.
Outside Russia, the KHL currently has teams in Belarus, Latvia and Kazakhstan, and besides the new Czech franchise, may also have a team in Stockholm, Sweden next season as well.
In the past, there has been tentative discussion about the NHL possibly creating a European division, but unless they get moving, the KHL may beat them to the punch.
3 comments | 0 recs |
Friday's news: Bruins fail a character test, Preds fans recap a 5-0 treat
by Dirk Hoag on Mar 19, 2010 11:12 AM EDT
in Breakfast Links
4 comments
It's a bright morning in Nashville, made all the sunnier by a 5-0 win last night and a Hobey Baker nomination for the local boy made good.
After the jump, we've got plenty of reaction from around Nashville's hockey blogs to last night's game, along with an utter failure by the Boston Bruins in a critical game against Pittsburgh, and a video of 10 awesomely hilarious goal celebrations...
4 comments | 0 recs |
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