Pekka Rinne's 22 saves lead Nashville to 2-0 win over Chicago
Pekka Rinne followed up a strong relief performance last night by shutting out the Chicago Blackhawks on 22 shots as the Nashville Predators took a much-needed 2-0 victory. Joel Ward's first goal of the season (on the power play, no less) put the Preds ahead during the 2nd period, and Jerred Smithson added a shorthanded empty-net goal with just seconds remaining in the third to close out the win.
After the jump, the video highlights...
While Chicago seemed to establish some good pressure as the Predators tried to hold the lead, a turning point came midway through the final period, as Shea Weber rocked Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane twice, re-asserting Nashville's defensive presence and turning momentum in the Preds favor.
Notably, the Nashville penalty kill went 5-for-5 on the night, and with the power play going 1-for-6, the special teams continue to improve at a slow, but steady pace.
Martin Erat was a late scratch for the Preds, with what has been termed a "lower body injury"
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Great Win!
Something tells me Erat’s “lower body injury” happened when he tripped walking out the door of Trotz’s office after he was told that he wouldn’t be playing. Seriously, though. About friggin’ time.
I liked the aggressive play all night long. They have to be aggressive to run the scheme that we do.
Also, it seemed to me that Rinne claimed the “starting goalie”(if there is such thing on this team, anyways) tag after these past 2 performances. This only means he’ll be starting 60 percent of the games instead of 50.
Christie kicks it high and short...Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25...He dishes it back to Wycheck...He throws it across the field to Dyson...
www.manningface.com
Something tells me that Erat was injured in last night’s game. Crispy had a lot of positives on his play last night. We should believe that the injury was real as opposed to gross supposition.
Erat with lower body injury, to be evaluated Friday...
I’m guessing it is something that really didn’t reveal itself until late this afternoon. Late flight home last night, no morning skate meant no media coverage, I have a feeling Erat came in this afternoon for treatment and was ruled out. There is nothing to indicate that this is a cover story…
Predators Hockey: Live it, Love it...
Pete and Terry
said they saw Erat this afternoon and he was completely fine.
"As strong as a team as we are on paper, you have to go out and prove it. We have yet to prove that we're the team we think we are,'' Keith Bulluck
"This is the only building in the NHL that the fans get up and cheer for no apparent reason just to support us." - Dan Ellis
Official Graphic Designer/Researcher/Grammar Police of MCM.
Official Graphic Goon of OTF.
by Aditya T (smashville) on Oct 30, 2009 1:11 AM EDT up reply actions
I don’t remember hearing anything about this during the 2:00 radio show when Trotz sat in for a bit, so it does make you wonder when this popped up. Personally, I like @stackiii’s explanation.
Sorry for the brevity of the wrap-up guys, but when I got home from the game I had to get my son to bed, etc.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.
Just to stir things up...
….here are some comments from the Hawks’ page at this site:
1) (before the game): Preds can’t score more than two goals (my reply: only took the 1st one tonight).
2) You’ve gotta pity the Nashville fans
They probably don’t even know they’re watching shitty hockey
3) Holy shit
The Predators are trying to ruin hockey. For everyone.
4) (after someone said crowd sound like we were in a library): Yeah right…
Like Nashville has a library.
5) Could someone please fill me in?
What are they saying after the Predators score?
Win or lose only one game left in Nashville after this. THANK GOD!
6) What they might be saying is:
Has hell frozen over?
7) Fuck Trashville
Classy.
And this in the preview:
Anyone could get a win against the Preds
I would like to thank the beautiful schedule handed out as the Hawks once again travel to the country music city-Nashville. The treat is that after tonight the Hawks will only travel to Nashville one more time the rest of the season as I’m sure everyone is thankful for that. The trick is that the Predators are just as boring to watch at the UC, unfortunately there are scheduled to arrive here twice more. So there is still 3 more games against the Predators left after tonight, so sorry if I’ve already ruined your spirits.
"As strong as a team as we are on paper, you have to go out and prove it. We have yet to prove that we're the team we think we are,'' Keith Bulluck
"This is the only building in the NHL that the fans get up and cheer for no apparent reason just to support us." - Dan Ellis
Official Graphic Designer/Researcher/Grammar Police of MCM.
Official Graphic Goon of OTF.
by Aditya T (smashville) on Oct 30, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions
The title of the recap
Quick, Someone Stab Me To See If I Still Feel: Hawks 0-Preds 2
I wouldn’t really sweat it, the tone of that whole blog is really unappealing. I’d rather read this blog every day and leave them to their nastiness.
what did you expect.....
they live in Chicago……
Good job by Pekka....
I love shutouts.
Of course I didn’t get to see the game as I live in Indy. But from the highlights, it looks like Legwand was playing pretty well last night too. He seemed to be in every shot. Of course, they are just highlights. Hopefully we can put together more efforts like this in the future.
FYI....
I just went to SI’s NHL page. The link to the recap of last night’s game says:
“Shutouts: Hawks halt Preds…”
Apparently the writers from the Hawks blog also work for SI’s web page team…
If I heard someone ask...
…Shea Weber what position he played, I would expect the answer: “All of them.”
I was there last night (great crowd for 13.5K) and man, although the numbers don’t reflect it, Weber was a beast last night. He and Hornqvist were easily the two hardest working players in the house last night.
Was nice that the Chicago fans in attendance were kept quiet for a change.
Peks
I honestly think that we should stop flip-flopping goalies and just make Peks our starter. I think if we were to do that then it would wash away some inconsistency noticed in both goaltenders, what do you all think?
Highlights and Lowlights for this fan...
Highs
1) Weber sends Kane crashing into the glass, then bangs him into the boards a second time for good measure.
2) Bouillon’s bullet pass to Wardo for the score.
Lows
1) Huet’s flopperoo that sent Hornqvist to the box; AFTRA should revoke his actor’s card.
2) Hammer’s giveaway in front of Pekka; Dan blocked three shots but also went to the sin bin twice, so he had what would be politely called “mixed success.”
And a bonus:
Free coffee this morning at both McDonalds and Daily’s. I’m still buzzed about the Preds’ win!
by Hockey Hillbilly on Oct 30, 2009 11:33 AM EDT reply actions
I may be thinking of a different giveaway, but I thought the one in the 3rd when Santorelli got in Hamhuis’ way as he came out from behind the net was far worse. Santo was just lost out there!
While some fans got frustrated with Sully’s puck-dangling that often led to turnovers, I give him full marks for at least using his skills to drive the play towards the net and create something, unlike a certain forward who was scratched last night.
More fun than a stick to the face!
On the Forecheck is SB Nation's blog covering the Nashville Predators.

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